The Digital Government Authority launched the new technical classification for vendor in the ICT Sector in partnership with the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Digital Government Authority, Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, His Excellency the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, Mr. Majed Al-Hogail, in addition to a number of officials from the public and private sectors.

His Excellency the Governor of the Digital Government Authority, Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, stated that the classification aims to improve the quality of technical solutions and services provided to the Digital Government by focusing on high-quality value chains such as research, innovation, and development, as well as the integration and implementation services. It also aims to increase the percentage of local content, localize supply chains, as well as support small and medium enterprises. He also pointed out that the Digital Government Authority aims, through the classification, to improve the efficiency of investment and increase the contribution of the private sector in providing digital government services.

The Head of the City Operators and Compliance Sector at the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Dr. Ahmed Al-Qattan, stated that the new classification will not affect existing contractor classification certificates during the coming period of 2023 AD. It will apply to new classification applications submitted by vendor as well as the classification certificates renewal applications. He pointed out that the classification comes from the vision of the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing and its keenness to empower city service providers and achieve sustainability and quality by stimulating transparency practices, streamlining procedures for awarding projects, and improving the efficiency of the engineering, technical, and administrative staff of facilities. This aims to improve performance and ensure the quality of implemented projects, as well as ensure the ability of the facilities to fulfill their contractual obligations and lack of high financial obligations that may cause stumbling or delay in the implementation of projects.

The Deputy Governor of the Digital Government Authority of the Investment and Government Excellence Sector, Dr. Abdullah Al Faifi, explained that this launch will provide government agencies with a technical classification for ICT vendors, which will showcase the vendors’ ability to provide digital solutions and services. He also pointed out that the classification will grant a “certificate” that enables vendors to provide solutions and services for government agencies.
 

Dr. Al Faifi pointed out that the Digital Government Authority issued a guide that details the classification criteria in conjunction with the Launch Ceremony on SDIF’s website (SDIF). He also explained that the “classification” defines four levels and technical criteria, and each level has parameters; given that it would develop the work in priority groups, in the areas of cloud computing and emerging technologies. It will also focus on the technical competencies and capabilities.
 

It is noteworthy that the Technical Classification of vendors is one of the deliverables of the Saudi Digital Investment Frontier (SDIF), which was launched by the Authority last March. It aims to improve investment efficiency, enhance joint work between the public and private sectors, and improve financial planning for digital government procurement and investment.