(1)   Can he provide further details on the nature of the goods and services provided under the department’s contract with United Process Solutions Pty Limited valued at $46,977,725 for property management services.

(2)   Was this contract subject to a tender process; if so, what are the details of the tender process.

(1)   The contract is for the provision by United Process Solutions Pty Ltd (UPS) of property management services for the Australian government’s overseas owned property estate. The services provided under the contract are for portfolio management and administration including financial management and reporting, asset management, management of divestments and acquisitions, and administration of the capital works program.

(2)   Yes. The contract was initially negotiated on a restricted tender basis by the Department of Finance and Administration following extensive industry consultation and evaluation. The contract applied to management of the non-defence owned domestic and overseas property estates. Pursuant to machinery of Government changes effected on 28 November 2001 responsibility for the management of the overseas owned estate was transferred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.