Senior information technology staff at Services Australia received a $3580 gift from IBM a month before the agency handed the tech firm a multimillion-dollar contract, government documents have revealed.
IBM gave three general and national managers at Services Australia tickets to an online course on "quantum opportunities" on Friday, April 10, according to the agency's gift register.
The Services Australia managers were responsible for its architecture review taskforce, core infrastructure, and the technology workforce capability and engagement branch, all reporting through to the agency's chief information and digital officer.
About four months earlier, Services Australia staff signed off on a $212.2 million contract variation for "computer services - provision of IBM software, hardware and services" with the tech firm.
The DTA stopped collecting data from the gifts and benefits register to inform its report on IT vendors cultivating public servants on March 31, about a week before Services Australia staff received the tickets.
Then a month after the gift, Services Australia staff handed IBM another contract for computer services worth $109.4m, according to AusTender records.
A Services Australia spokesperson said its procurements with IBM, including the two referred to in this article, were undertaken in line with relevant rules and requirements.
LinkedIn and the agency's organisation chart indicate Christopher Wright was national manager - core infrastructure and Derek Byrnes was general manager - architecture review taskforce at the time the gift was received.
The Canberra Times does not suggest that Mr Wright, Mr Byrnes or other gift recipients were involved in the procurement processes related to IBM's $212.2m and $109.4m contracts, or that they gained any personal benefit from the gift.
A Services Australia spokesperson said the virtual training was intended to build staff understanding of quantum technologies, including their potential applications, opportunities and risks, to support the agency's technology strategy, architecture and workforce capability.
"The attendance had clear alignment with the DTA's head agreement with IBM to uplift digital capability of quantum technologies across government," the spokesperson said.
"The places were not gifted to individuals but allocated by the technology and digital programs group to staff whose roles required this capability and knowledge uplift.
"Each place was approved by the appropriate senior-executive-service delegate and declared in line with the agency's accepting gifts and benefits policy, conflict of interest policy and accountable authority instructions.
"Services Australia's procurements with IBM, including those referenced, were undertaken in line with the Commonwealth procurement rules, the agency's procurement and financial governance requirements, and the DTA's whole of government IBM 2.0 arrangements."
An IBM spokesperson said the University of Sydney quantum opportunities sprint was an educational program delivered by the University of Sydney in partnership with IBM to build understanding of quantum technologies and their potential opportunities and risks.
"A limited number of complimentary places were made available as part of one of the programs," the spokesperson said.
"Services Australia determined which staff would attend and managed its own approval and disclosure processes.
"The Sprint is a capability-development initiative and is not connected to any procurement activity or purchasing decision.
"IBM conducts its engagements with government agencies in accordance with applicable procurement and integrity requirements."
Asked whether the gift had been referred to the National Anti Corruption Commission, a spokesperson said as a general rule the agency did not comment on whether individual referrals had been received, were being assessed, or were under investigation.
"This is because doing so could prejudice our operational activities or unfairly affect the reputation of those involved,"
"There may be circumstances in which a public official accepting a gift, benefit or hospitality from a supplier while being the decision-maker in a significant procurement concerning that supplier may amount to serious or systemic corrupt conduct.
"This will depend on a detailed analysis of the factual circumstances, including procedural fairness being afforded to any individuals involved."
Mr Wright and Mr Byrnes have been contacted for comment.
