Senator Robert Ray asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 25 November 1998:

(1) What was the total value of market research sought by the department on a month-by-month basis between March 1996 and November 1998.

(2) What was the purpose of each contract let.

(3) In each instance, what was the involvement or otherwise of the Office of Government Information and Advertising.

(4) In each instance; (a) how many firms were invited to submit proposals; and (b) how many tender proposals were received.

(5) In each instance, which firm was selected to conduct the research.

(6) In each instance, what was the estimated or contract price of the research work and what was the actual amount expended by the department.

Senator Newman (Family and Community Services; Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women) —The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) Market research sought by department on a month-by-month basis between March 1996 and November 1998 is:

(2) to (6)—

NOTE 1: The research undertaken by Trotman Australia was against an on-going contract and no source documentation is available.

NOTE 2: Where OGIA was involved, assistance was sought in (a) the preparation of the Statement of Requirement, (b) the recommendation of appropriate market research agencies to nominate for the contract, and (c) assistance in the Tender Selection process.