Supp

liers

’ Gui

de

Published June 2000

PURPOSE OF THE GUIDE

The purpose of this Suppliers’ Guide is to provide information about the new State Purchasing

Policy. It also provides helpful hints on how to do business with the Queensland Government.

WHO SHOULD READ THIS GUIDE?

All current and potential suppliers to Queensland Government departments and agencies

should read this Guide.

HOW IS THIS GUIDE TO BE USED?

This Suppliers’ Guide should be read in conjunction with the State Purchasing Policy. Other policies

that relate to Queensland Government building construction and maintenance, civil

construction and information technology and telecommunications include:

• the Capital Works Management Framework and the Maintenance Management Framework

administered by the Building Division of the Department of Public Works;

• the Government Building and Construction Contracts Structured Training Policy

administered by the Department of Employment, Training and Industrial Relations;

• the Art Built-in Policy administered by Arts Queensland;

• the Quality Assurance Policy administered by the Department of Public Works; and

• Communication and Information Purchasing Framework administered by the Department

of Communication and Information, Local Government, Planning and Sport.

In addition, major projects valued at $5 million and over, or that are of regional or strategic

significance, must comply with the Local Industry Policy administered by the Department of

State Development.

The Better Purchasing Guides may also provide useful information. A list of topics is provided on

the back cover of this Guide.

This Guide is intended only as a starting point to provide an overview of the main issues that

suppliers need to consider in doing business with the Queensland Government. Suppliers will

need to use effective sales and marketing capability to address the Queensland Government

markets.

W H O S H O U L D R E A D T H I S G U I D E ?

H O W I S T H I S G U I D E T O B E U S E D ?

P U R P O S E O F T H I S G U I D E

contentsWhat’s new about the State Purchasing Policy? 1

How will departments/agencies purchase under the new State Purchasing Policy? 3

Buying locally 4

Some common topics about supplying to the Queensland Government 4

What other policies relating to Queensland Government purchasing

do suppliers need to be aware of? 11

What Queensland Government assistance is available to help suppliers? 12

Where do I get more help? 13

WHAT’S NEW ABOUT THE STATE PURCHASING POLICY?

Why is Government purchasing important?Queensland Government purchasing is important because spending on goods and services totals about $5 billion

each year. At an individual department/agency1 level, purchased goods and services may account for between

about 20% and 80% of a department’s/agency’s total expenditure. The purchasing activities of the Queensland

Government therefore have significant economic and budgetary implications.

The new State Purchasing Policy and associateddocumentation consists of:• the Policy itself including its intent, objectives, operation and administration;

• Foundation Concepts that explain the Policy objectives and

Operational Concepts that outline how to apply operational aspects of the Policy;

• Agency Purchasing Procedures2 that are provided by each department/agency to outline their purchasing

systems and practices; and

• a series of Better Purchasing Guides that assist departments/agencies and suppliers to understand Government

purchasing practice. A list of titles appears on the back cover of this Guide.

This Policy replaces the former State Purchasing Policy introduced in 1991.

1

What’s new about the State Purchasing Policy?

1 “Agency” means a department or a statutory body as those expressions are defined in the Financial Administration and Audit Act1977 (Qld) and any Government Owned Corporation and its subsidiaries where the Shareholding Ministers have given notificationpursuant to s. 123 of the Government Owned Corporations Act 1993 as listed in Schedule D as published from time to time in theState Purchasing Policy by the Department of Public Works.

2 “Agency Purchasing Procedures” are departmental/agency specific procedures that set out how purchasing activities are to beconducted in compliance with the State Purchasing Policy. These procedures are also referred to as “local instructions” or “localpurchasing instructions”.

What are the benefits of this Policy for industry?• Maximising opportunities for Queensland businesses to supply the Queensland Government by:

- encouraging strategic thinking about how to advance Government priorities through procurement;

- alerting officers who purchase to the need to understand the markets in which they buy and thereby be

aware of opportunities for local business and industry; and

- communicating anticipated future purchasing requirements through forward procurement schedules to

assist local suppliers to identify opportunities.

• Encouraging devolution of purchasing decisions to the lowest practical geographical level for a range of low

value items that are easy to purchase, resulting in more business for firms in regional Queensland.

• Reducing unnecessary bureaucratic process in dealing with Government purchasing.

The State Purchasing Policy has three equally rankingobjectives:

T O A D V A N C E G O V E R N M E N T P R I O R I T I E S

Each department/agency must seek to advance Government priorities. These priorities define the Government’s

commitment to advance, through its purchasing, certain social, economic and environmental objectives.

T O A C H I E V E V A L U E F O R M O N E Y

Each department/agency must seek to obtain value for money in its purchasing of goods and services. The

concept of value for money is not restricted to price alone. The value for money assessment must include

consideration of:

• contribution to the advancement of Government priorities;

• non-cost factors such as fitness for purpose, quality, service and support; and

• cost related factors including whole-of-life costs and transaction costs associated with acquisition, use,

holding, maintenance and disposal.

T O E N S U R E P R O B I T Y A N D A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y F O R O U T C O M E S

A department/agency must conduct its purchasing activities with the utmost probity. Some relevant probity and

accountability requirements are set out in legislation. Each department/agency is to ensure that its purchasing is

carried out in accordance with such obligations as may be placed upon it by the:

• Financial Administration and Audit Act (Qld) 1977;

• Financial Management Standard (Qld) 1997;

• Public Sector Ethics Act (Qld) 1994; and

• such other legislative or Government policy obligations as may from time to time apply to the purchasing

activities of the agency.

Where can I get a copy of the State Purchasing Policy and the “Better Purchasing Guides”?

The State Purchasing Policy and the “Better Purchasing Guides” are available on the internet at

http://www.qgm.qld.gov.au

Printed copies are also available for purchase by contacting Goprint on telephone 3246 3399 or 1800 679 778.

2

HOW WILL DEPARTMENTS/AGENCIES PURCHASE UNDER THE NEW STATE PURCHASING POLICY?

Under the new State Purchasing Policy there are some new concepts that suppliers need to become familiar with.

Procurement planningEffective procurement planning provides a department/agency with the strategies to meet the objectives of the

State Purchasing Policy. Procurement plans set out:

• the objectives to be achieved through the department’s/agency’s purchasing activities consistent with the

objectives of the Policy;

• how the department/agency will meet its specified objectives; and

• mechanisms through which the achievement of the department’s/agency’s purchasing objectives will be

measured.

Procurement planning is based on an analysis of the department’s/agency’s purchasing patterns and supply

markets and is undertaken at both the corporate level and in relation to significant individual purchases. Each

department/agency must prepare:

• an annual corporate procurement plan; and

• plans when purchasing goods and services that have been identified by the department/agency as being of

high relative expenditure3and/or for which supply is difficult to secure4 (significant purchases).

Forward procurement schedulesIn addition, each department/agency must publish a ‘forward procurement schedule’ outlining anticipated

significant purchases. The website at www.qgm.qld.gov.au provides a central point of access for information on

departmental/agency forward procurement schedules.

Analysing supply markets for purchasingAnalysing supply markets for purchasing (or “supply market analysis”) is a technique that can be used by

purchasers to identify market characteristics for a specific good or service and provides information that assists

procurement planning. It enables the department/agency to understand how a market works, the direction in

which the market is heading, the key suppliers and the value that suppliers place on the department/agency as a

customer. It involves researching and analysing a supply market to assist in the development of purchasing

strategies. Analysing supply markets is part of the planning process for a department’s/agency’s significant

purchases and its corporate procurement plans.

Agency Purchasing ProceduresThe State Purchasing Policy requires departments/agencies to develop “Agency Purchasing Procedures”, consistent with

the Policy, which provide guidance to officers about purchasing systems and practices within their department/agency.

These procedures provide a framework and operating systems that address how the department/agency will undertake

and manage its purchasing activities consistent with the objectives of the State Purchasing Policy.

3

How will departments/agencies purchase underthe new State Purchasing Policy?

3 “Relative expenditure” of the goods and services means their cost relative to the total purchasing expenditure of an agency.

4 The “difficulty of securing supply” of goods and services means the degree to which the goods or services being purchased presentrisks or are critical to the agency; as well as the extent to which a competitive supply market for the goods or services exists.

BUYING LOCALLY

The new State Purchasing Policy has various features that allow departments/agencies to go no further

geographically than is necessary to secure competitive supply - this may mean the local town, the region, the State

and, only if necessary, beyond the State borders. Features of the Policy that allow this to occur include:

• a statement of intent that provides that full, fair and reasonable opportunity is given to local suppliers;

• linkage to the Government’s priorities including “more jobs for Queenslanders” and “building Queensland

regions” and requirements for agencies to plan and be accountable for delivering on these priorities;

• the use of supply market analysis to actively seek out opportunities for local suppliers;

• devolution of procurement related decision-making and budgets to the lowest practical geographical level

for low relative expenditure/easy to buy items; and

• removal of arbitrary thresholds for public tendering that effectively opened our procurement to the world -

departments/agencies now have the capacity to limit invitations to offer to particular geographical regions

where supply is competitive.

Queensland and Australian supplyUnder the Government Procurement Agreement, the Commonwealth, States, Territories and New Zealand

Governments have agreed to provide equal Government supply opportunities and treatment to each other’s

services, products and suppliers. This is be achieved by ensuring the absence of inter-state and trans-Tasman

application of preference schemes and other forms of discrimination in Government procurement, based on the

place of origin of goods and services. The State Purchasing Policy is consistent with this Agreement.

Australian ownedOwnership of a company or business is not a relevant consideration in Queensland Government purchasing.

SOME COMMON TOPICS ABOUT SUPPLYING TO THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT

Doing business with the Queensland GovernmentA common misconception held by some suppliers is that the Queensland Government is a single customer or

there is a central database on which all suppliers can be registered. This is not the case. The purchasing of goods

and services is the responsibility of each department/agency. Within each department/agency, individual

branches, sections and regional centres may also be often responsible for their own purchasing. The activities of

departments/agencies will vary according to its business and its purchasing focus may also vary accordingly.

Suppliers that want to offer goods or services to Government will need to identify which departments/agencies

could potentially have a need for its goods and services. Some questions that suppliers may want to consider

when talking to purchasing officers include:

• Does the department/agency have a need for your goods and services?

• Who does the purchasing for your goods and services (not all goods and services are purchased by the same

purchasing section)?

• Is there any relevant specification or standard?

• What quantities are required?

• What is the evaluation criteria?

4

Buying locally

Some common topics about supplying to theQueensland Government

• Does the department/agency maintain a database of suppliers and how do you get on the database?

• Are suppliers required to be prequalified?

• Does the department/agency purchase centrally for the State or is each branch or region responsible for its

own purchasing?

• Are the goods or services supplied under a standing offer arrangement?

• Is quality assurance a requirement?

• How does the department/agency approach the market (telephone, written invitation, negotiation etc.)?

• When are they likely to approach the market next?

• Will it be publicly advertised - where and when?

Suppliers also should find how each department/agency purchases the goods and services they supply in the

market. The answers can be different for each department/agency.

Marketing to departments/agenciesIt is also a good idea for suppliers to market their goods or services to the departments and agencies. Various

strategies may be used. Elements of a sales or marketing strategy could include:

• Details of the firm and the range of goods or services.

• Advice on price competitiveness, availability, additional services etc.

• Details about local content.

• Any environmentally friendly features relating to the manufacturing process, packaging, during usage to the

eventual disposal.

• Transaction reduction strategies (for example - payment by Corporate Card, managed supply and

distribution, monthly accounts etc.).

• Quality assurance certification details, if identified as necessary.

• What it is that sets your products/services apart from the rest.

• Brochures, specifications, test results etc.

• Potential for demonstrations or a trialling of the product at the department’s/agency’s premises.

• Site visits of the business premises by potential purchasers for inspection, demonstration etc.

• Creating a demand with end users for new and innovative goods and services.

5

Queensland Government officers are required to conduct the purchasing process ethically, honestly and with fairness

to all participants. Officers must:

• perform their duties impartially, un-influenced by the receipt or prospect of threats, reprimands or rewards;

• not accept or seek gifts or other favours;

• not entertain approaches from suppliers, that might be interpreted as attempts to influence the evaluation

process;

• ensure that their private interests do not conflict with their public duties;

• maintain confidentiality in all dealings;

• maintain high standards of accountability;

• follow systems and procedures that ensure a consistent approach to purchasing; and

• promote professional purchasing practices.

Telephone quotes for low value goods and servicesFor ad hoc, low value goods and services that are easy to buy, the most likely approach from a department/agency will

be by telephone. A limited number (one or more) of known reliable local suppliers are contacted seeking information

on product conformance/suitability, price, terms, availability etc. Suppliers interested in such business should find

out about the department’s/agency’s needs and what opportunities are likely in the future. Acceptance of

payment by the Queensland Government Corporate Card will be a distinct advantage.

Corporate CardThe vast majority of purchasing transactions by departments/agencies are for amounts of less than $1,000. The

transaction costs of small orders can be greater than the cost of the goods/services being purchased. Transaction

costs include all the costs internal to a department/agency arising from a particular purchasing activity, for

example ordering and processing costs.

Departments/agencies are looking for ways to reduce these transaction costs, including payment by the

Queensland Government Corporate Card.

Therefore, suppliers are encouraged to accept the Queensland Government Corporate Card as payment. These

suppliers will be more attractive to agencies when considering the total cost of procurement, especially for low

expenditure transactions (under $1,000).

Responding to an invitation to offer for goods/servicesDepartments/agencies may identify from its supply market analysis that the most appropriate way of approaching

the market for purchasing particular goods and services is by an “invitation to offer”.

The “invitation to offer” documentation would normally includes:

• Form of Offer;

• Conditions of Offer;

• Conditions of Contract;

• Specification;

• Schedule of Prices; and

• Schedule of Particulars.

More complex purchasing may contain more documentation as appropriate.

A supplier’s response to an “invitation to offer” is called an offer (or a tender).

Read the “invitation to offer” documentation carefully and anything that is not understood should be clarified

with the department/agency. The documentation will nominate a contact name and telephone number.

Respond to all the requirements and complete all the documentation as failure to do so may constitute a non-

conforming offer which would not be considered.

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Managing and monitoring suppliers’ performanceManaging and monitoring a supplier’s performance is one of the tools that departments/agencies use to assess

whether they are obtaining value for money. The extent to which it is necessary to manage and monitor a

supplier’s performance is determined by departments/agencies on the basis of risk management and cost/benefit

assessments. Managing and monitoring performance should be a priority for departments/agencies when

purchasing goods and services that are high relative expenditure and for which “supply is difficult to secure”.

Departments/agencies must advise suppliers of the performance criteria, how often they will be measured, how

performance assessments will be recorded and who will have access to resulting information. For more

information refer to the “Managing and Monitoring Suppliers’ Performance” Guide.

Quality assuranceQuality assurance (QA) means managing business processes in such a way that both the supplier and the

customer are satisfied with the quality and consistency of the goods or services being produced/provided.

The Queensland Government’s Quality Assurance Policy states:

“Government agencies shall not require quality assurance for purchases valued at less than $10,000 except by

Ministerial direction.

For purchases valued at $10,000 or more, Government agencies will examine the level of risk associated with that

purchase and specify quality assurance requirements depending on the level of risk as follows:

LOW RISK No quality assurance requirement.

MODERATE RISK Selected elements from a Quality System Standard or approved industry/professional systems

or standards to be specified.

HIGH RISK Quality System Standard or approved industry/professional systems or standards to be specified.

Government agencies will help facilitate recognition of industry/professional systems and standards for the purposes

of this policy.”

Suppliers offering to government agencies are required to understand the quality assurance requirements and

satisfy these requirements where they are specified.

For more information refer to the “Queensland Government’s Quality Assurance Policy” Guide or contact

Queensland Purchasing on the QA hotline 1800 628 901 (toll free).

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Some examples which illustrate how an offer may fail to comply with the conditions of offer include:

• offer lodged after the advertised closing time without an acceptable reason;

• offer documentation not signed where indicated; and

• incomplete offer, for example certificates of insurance that were requested not provided,

pages missing from the offer document, questions not answered, especially where these

relate to conditions of offer including the mandatory criteria.

hint

Standing offer arrangementsA standing offer arrangement is an agreement with one or more suppliers to provide an undefined volume of

goods or services over a set period in accordance with agreed conditions including price. Standing offer

arrangements are a commonly used method of procurement for goods and services that are purchased regularly

in high volumes. Whole of Government standing offer arrangements put in place by Queensland Purchasing are

not mandatory for departments/agencies to use (except for fuel or where a department’s/agency’s Chief Executive

Officer directs that buying from an arrangement is mandatory). Standing offer arrangements are also put in place

by individual departments/agencies for their own use. These may or may not be mandatory for officers of those

departments/agencies to use.

Suppliers interested in offering to be included on a standing offer arrangement should discuss what opportunities

may be available in the future with the relevant department/agency. Some questions may include:

• When does the present standing offer arrangement expire?

• Is there an option to extend, and is it likely to be extended?

• When will offers be invited for the next period?

• Will it be advertised? Where and when?

• Could your firm be included on the distribution list?

• What are the evaluation criteria?

Registers of prequalified suppliersEstablishing a prequalified supplier list is usually only appropriate for costly and complex procurement.

Prequalified supplier lists are used as a tool to reduce costs for both the supplier and the department/agency. A

rigorous evaluation process is used to establish a list of suppliers that meet a range of criteria. Such lists are not static

because a supplier may be added if it meets the criteria or removed from the list if it fails to meet the criteria. Only

those suppliers on the prequalified supplier list will be invited to offer. An example of a prequalified supplier list

is the Department of Public Works’ “Prequalified Contractors/Consultants” (PQC) in the construction and building

industry for consultants (architects, engineers, quantity surveyors etc.) and construction companies. The Department

of Main Roads also operates a prequalified supplier system for design and construction of roads etc. For more

information, refer to the “Prequalifying Suppliers” Guide.

DebriefingIt is good purchasing practice to offer a debriefing session to suppliers that have been unsuccessful in offering for

Government business. The information provided in these sessions should limit the need for complaints.

Debriefing is normally provided only at the request of a supplier, rather than automatically to all offerors, due to

time and resource constraints of a department/agency. However, at times the department/agency may choose to

proactively offer debriefing sessions for certain significant purchases.

A debriefing session is an information session to provided assistance for future activity. It is not a forum to debate

the evaluation of offers process. An effective debriefing session should provide the supplier with sufficient

information to be able to assist them to submit an improved offer on the next occasion. It may identify real

problems with the supplier’s product, service, pricing or other aspects of its offer that need to be addressed. It

may identify a perceived problem that will also need attention for the future. If the supplier is still not satisfied

with this process, or the department’s/agency’s conduct generally, then the supplier may lodge a complaint.

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Complaints about the purchasing processThe State Purchasing Policy states that departments/agencies must develop and maintain arrangements for

addressing complaints and issues raised by suppliers or members of the public about the conduct of their

purchasing activities. Many complaints originate through a lack of understanding and/or poor communication

between buyers and suppliers.

Suppliers and members of the public can raise complaints and concerns about the conduct of a

department’s/agency’s purchasing activities. In the first instance, complainants are encouraged to seek resolution

through the area managing the purchasing process. If the complainant wishes to pursue the matter further, then

the complainant should be advised to put their concern in written form, signed and dated.

It is important for suppliers to note that unless there has been a breach of the contract made between the

department/agency and the successful offeror, the contract cannot be overturned, as it is a legally binding arrangement.

Suppliers and members of the public that are not satisfied with the department’s/agency’s management of a

complaint or concerns may refer to either:

• the Department of Public Works, telephone 1800 631 991 (toll free); or

• the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administrative Investigations (Ombudsman), level 25, 288 Edward Street,

Brisbane QLD 4000, telephone (07) 3005 7000, fax (07) 3005 7067, email ombudsman@pcai.qld.gov.au

O F F I C I A L M I S C O N D U C T

If there are any concerns that a public sector officer did not carry out their duties honestly or impartially, then

that behaviour should be reported to the Criminal Justice Commission (telephone 1800 061 611, email

mailbox@cjc.qld.gov.au, website www.cjc.qld.gov.au). Some examples of the official misconduct in purchasing

include accepting money or benefits in exchange for helping someone win a contract, knowingly making false

documents to cover what is essentially a personal purchase, or misuse of confidential information to give

advantage to one supplier over another even where there was no personal benefit to the officer involved.

Industrial relations and workplace health and safetyQueensland Government departments and agencies will consider doing business only with suppliers that display

a commitment towards the obligations set out in the Industrial Relations Act 1999 (or Workplace Relations Act (C’th)

1996) and the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995.

Industrial awards set out the minimum conditions of employment and are legally binding on employers. All

employers should be aware of the relevant awards, whether federal or state, to which they are bound and must

meet applicable award and legal obligations, regarding their employees. Agreements certified by the relevant state

or federal industrial relations commissions are legally enforceable and must be complied with by the parties to

such agreements.

There are a number of policies endorsed by the Queensland Government that will help provide better working

relationships and improved industrial relations planning and management. These include:

• The proposed Queensland Building and Construction Code - this document provides a guideline to the

behaviour and ethics expected of all participants dealing with the building and construction industry,

including the government, unions, employers, contractors and consultants.

9

• The proposed Code of Conduct for Outworkers will focus on the employment and management behaviour of

the textile clothing and footwear industry. All government agency contracts that require the supply of textile

articles, clothing, footwear and related goods and components will be subject to this code.

The objective of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 is to prevent a person’s death, injury or illness at work.

The Act imposes specific obligations in relation to the supply of goods and services.

Workplace health and safety obligations relating to the supply of goods

Workplace health and safety obligations for the supply of goods relate to:

• providing appropriate information about the safe use of the goods; and

• preventing the use of unsafe goods.

Workplace health and safety obligations relating to the supply of services

The Act imposes obligations on both the supplier of the service and the agency engaging the supplier, that relate

to ensuring:

• the workplace health and safety of their own workers;

• their own workplace health and safety; and

• that the workplace health and safety of others (including the other party’s workers and members of the

public) is not affected by the way they conduct their undertaking.

For the supply of certain goods and services, departments/agencies may include specific obligations in the

specification document that request suppliers to document in their offer how they meet these mandatory

obligations. Evaluation criteria may also specifically target particular obligations under these Acts. In addition, there

may be specific clauses in the Conditions of Contract that relate to managing and monitoring suppliers’ performance

to ensure that appropriate workplace health and safety and industrial relations obligations are being met. For more

information, refer to the “Industrial Issues in Supplier Selection and Management” Guide.

Tender search servicesThere are organisations that offer a ‘tender search service’ that searches electronic and print media for tenders

and provides subsequent information to its clients. Queensland Government departments/agencies do not

provide these organisations with copies of tender documentation or advance advice of tenders to be released.

The information is available through the advertisements placed in Brisbane, national and regional newspapers

and the Queensland Government Marketplace website www.qgm.qld.gov.au. Suppliers should ask for and

check references, in order to make a commercial decision on the worth of the service offered.

Advertising in publicationsThere are a number of publications available that advertise suppliers for a fee, that are not produced or endorsed

by the Queensland Government. Initial approaches to suppliers by such organisations are usually be telephone

and the caller may imply that the suppliers who advertise in these publications will be successful in obtaining

Government business. Any such approaches should be ignored.

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WHAT OTHER POLICIES RELATING TO QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT PURCHASING DO SUPPLIERS NEED

TO BE AWARE OF?

11

What other policies relating to QueenslandGovernment purchasing do suppliers need to beaware of?

The “10% Training Policy” for Queensland

Government Building and Construction

Projects

• Administered by the Department of

Employment, Training and Industrial

Relations

The Department of Employment, Training and

Industrial Relations (DETIR) Building and

Construction Industry Taskforce

• Telephone: 1300 369 935 (toll free)

• Website:

www.detir.qld.gov.au/buildconst/buildconst.htm

Queensland Government’s Quality

Assurance Policy

• Administered by the Department of

Public Works

Local Industry Policy

• Administered by the Department of

State Development

Communication and Information

Purchasing Framework

• Administered by the Department of

Communication and Information,

Local Government, Planning and Sport

The Art Built-in Policy

• Administered by Arts Queensland

The Capital Works Management

Framework and the Maintenance

Management Framework

• Administered by the Building Division

of the Department of Public Works

Queensland Purchasing

• QA Hotline 1800 628 901 (toll free).

Local Industry Policy

• Website:

www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/invest/majorprojects/lip/

Information technology and telecommunications

• Website: www.dcilgp.qld.gov.au

• Telephone: (07) 3227 7111

Public Art Agency

• Website: www.arts.qld.gov.au/publicartagency/

• Telephone: (07) 3250 1200

• Email: elaine.bradshaw@arts.qld.gov.au

Guidelines are available from Building Division,

Department of Public Works

• Website: www.build.qld.gov.au

• Email: cwmf@publicworks.qld.gov.au

POLICY WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

WHAT QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO HELP SUPPLIERS ?

Department of State DevelopmentThe Department of State Development is responsible for securing development and jobs through the widening

and deepening of the Queensland economy. To achieve this, the Department works in partnership with a range

of private and public bodies to:

• maintain and enhance the competitiveness of mainstream industry sectors;

• provide particular assistance to sectors and firms in transition and restructuring to enhance their

competitiveness;

• establish analytically the high-potential current and future sectors and implement strategies to maximise

their potential both domestically and internationally; and

• encourage a culture of innovation and confidence in new generation industries.

The Department’s divisions of Trade, Industry Development and Innovation, Investment Attraction, Infrastructure

and Major Projects, Small Business, and Regional Development provide specialist assistance to help people start

a business, improve their day to day management skills, work with emerging industries, advance major projects

and joint venture opportunities, and provide information on export and investment opportunities.

The Department’s network of sixteen State Development Centres provides a full range of business information,

advice and support in regional centres across the State, and the eight Queensland Trade and Investment Offices

in priority overseas locations provide international market information and promotion of Queensland products

and services. The Department is actively involved in improving the management skills of business and industry

throughout the State. To obtain information on industry assistance programs operated by the Department

contact your nearest State Development Centre on telephone 13 26 50.

Queensland Industry Information Service (QINDIS)The Department of State Development proactively works with business and industry to ensure they have the

capacity and are aware of the opportunities created by major events in the State. Assistance will be provided for

firms to network and create strategic alliances where this will enhance their opportunities of winning business.

QINDIS is a specialised industry information and referral service aimed at connecting business, manufacturers

and suppliers with those people in the private and public sector most likely to use their products or services.

Predominantly QINDIS is used as a product/service sourcing tool. It is an electronic database containing an

extensive listing of more than 9,000 manufacturing and tradeable service organisations. The database is

constantly updated through survey mailings and field contacts.

Access to data from QINDIS is free. Information can be sourced by telephone, fax, e-mail or mail. Having your

business listed with QINDIS is also free (criteria have to be met, for example, manufacture or tradeable service).

It is important to note that QINDIS staff carefully assesses requests for information to ensure that data is only

used to promote and broaden opportunities for Queensland business. It is not provided for direct mail,

marketing or employment purposes.

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What Queensland Government assistance isavailable to help suppliers?

At the initial stage of supply market analysis Queensland Government purchasing officers may contact the

Department of State Development (telephone 3234 1821 or 3234 1820) to obtain information about local

suppliers and products. Information can be accessed by product type, industry category, area code or company

name. Regional purchasing officers may contact their closest State Development Centre by telephoning 13 26 50.

Industrial Suppliers Office (ISO Queensland) LimitedThe Industrial Supplies Office (ISO Queensland) Limited, provides a free and confidential service to increase

local content and industry participation in projects and procurement. ISO is a catalyst in the procurement

process working to reduce imports and maximise opportunities for local industry capabilities. ISO is subsidised

by the Department of State Development and operates under an Agreement with the Department of State

Development.

ISO services are available to all private and public sector organisations. ISO identifies Australia’s best products,

services and capabilities to competitively meet private and public sector procurement needs. ISO provides

information to Government departments and agencies to support the Government purchasing objectives of “jobs

for Queenslanders” and “building Queensland’s regions”. These confidential services identify and evaluate

appropriate local capability over a wide range of industries, in order to assist companies to increase the local

content of their offers and procurement requirements. ISO’s team of professional provides this service at no cost

where enquiries are genuine opportunities to increase local content in offers. ISO can be contacted on telephone

1800 177 753 or email info@isoqld.com.au

Where can I get more help?W H O C A N I TA L K T O ?

• Refer to the list on page 11 of this Guide.

• Purchasing/procurement officers in departments and agencies.

• Industrial Supplies Office (ISO Queensland) Ltd

• Brisbane, telephone: 1800 177 753

• Townsville, telephone: (07) 4771 2045

• Email: info@isoqld.com.au

• Website: http://www.isoqld.com.au

• State Purchasing Policy Hotline, telephone 1800 631 991

• State Development Centre, telephone 13 26 50

W H AT C A N I R E A D ?

• Refer to the list on page 11 of this Guide.

• The Better Purchasing Guides support the State Purchasing Policy by providing information about current best

practice procurement in the Queensland Government. Refer to the back cover of this guide for a list of titles.

The State Purchasing Policy and the Better Purchasing Guides are available at http://www.qgm.qld.gov.au or

they can be purchased by contacting Goprint on telephone (07) 3246 3399 or 1800 679 778.

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Other topics in the “Better PurchasingGuides” series include:

Advancing Government Priorities through Purchasing

Value for Money

Probity and Accountability in Purchasing

Corporate Procurement Planning

Planning for Significant Purchases

Developing “Agency Purchasing Procedures”

Analysing Supply Markets for Purchasing

Developing Specifications for Purchasing

Inviting Offers

Evaluating Offers in Purchasing

Developing and Managing Arrangements with Suppliers

Negotiation in Purchasing

Engaging and Managing Consultants

Prequalifying Suppliers

Managing and Monitoring Suppliers’ Performance

Industrial Issues in Supplier Selection and Management

Environmentally Friendly Purchasing

Purchasing Communication and InformationGoods and Services

Conduct of Sample Surveys by QueenslandGovernment Agencies

Leasing in the Queensland Public Sector

Intellectual Property in Purchasing

Managing Complaints about Purchasing

Developing Skills for Purchasing

The “10% Training Policy” for Queensland GovernmentBuilding and Construction Contracts

How to do Business with the Queensland Government(Suppliers’ Guide)

How to do Business with the Queensland Government(Regional Suppliers’ Guide)

Disposal of Government Plant and Equipment

The Queensland Government’s Quality Assurance Policy

All Guides are available athttp://www.qgm.qld.gov.au or

from Queensland Purchasingon telephone 1800 631 991. Your comments about this Guide

are valued and will be considered.

Please provide your comments to

michelle.lavery@qp.qld.gov.au

Printed on Australian made paper