The Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects continues to meet with representatives of the Department Treasury and Finance to discuss matters of mutual interest.
The below updates have been supplied, following our meeting late last year.
Treasury Prequalification Scheme
Treasury is progressing a staged review of the building and construction components of the Tasmanian Government’s procurement framework. The purpose of this review is to identify potential barriers to delivering the Government’s infrastructure program and to ensure the framework continues to meet the needs of both government and industry. The current focus of the review considers the Department of Treasury and Finance Prequalification Scheme for contractors and consultants.
Feedback from industry continues to inform the review. In particular, following consultation earlier this year several administrative improvements have been identified to enhance transparency and clarify requirements within the assessment process. Treasury has progressed work to implement these improvements in the short-term, to provide more immediate benefit to applicants while the review continues.
Previously, the Guidelines and Application Form to be used by contractors and consultants was a combined document. To provide clarity and improve transparency, this has been separated into:
- A single Guidelines document; and
- A streamlined Application Form.
These updated documents are now available on the Purchasing website: Treasury and Finance Prequalification Scheme – Forms and Guidelines | purchasing.tas.gov.au.
Treasury continues to refine the scope of longer-term components of the review to ensure the key issues raised by industry and agencies are addressed appropriately.
Agencies required to comply with the Treasurer’s Instructions
Local councils and government businesses are not required to comply with the Treasurer’s Instructions. Schedule 1 of the FMA provides a list of those Government and Legislative agencies which must comply with the Treasurer’s Instructions. This list can be viewed here: View – Tasmanian Legislation Online. In addition, the enabling legislation for the Macquarie Point Development Corporation and Homes Tasmania, provides that Treasurer’s Instructions issued under the FMA apply to these entities.
Registering on the Tasmanian Government Tenders website
In Tasmania, every government agency is responsible for its own procurement. The Winning Government Business section of the Tasmanian Government’s Purchasing website provides information to businesses on how Government buys. The Who Buys What page includes information on the agency purchasing contacts and the goods and services they buy. Contact details for each agency are available on the Agency Contacts page.
Opportunities across government agencies are listed centrally on the Tasmanian Government Tenders Website. Businesses can register on the Tenders website. In step two of the registration process a business can select categories, based on the services offered, to receive tender/future opportunity notification emails when they are published on the website. I have reviewed contracts awarded for architectural services; you may wish to advise your members to register in the following categories to ensure they are receiving relevant notifications:
- Building and Facility Construction and Maintenance Services
- Management and Business Professionals and Administrative Services
In addition, here are links to the Bidding for Government Contractsand Tasmanian Government Tenders Websitefact sheets, which you may like to share with your members.
Debriefing
Members have a right to request a debriefing following the award of a contract. This is in accordance with, clause 5.19.2 of Treasurer’s Instruction PP-5 Engagement of civil and civic consultants, which states that “unsuccessful suppliers must be debriefed upon request.”
Cover image: Nina Hamilton