What principles must government buyers follow when
purchasing?
Government purchasing is based on the four
principles of:
What does
value for money mean?
Value for money means getting the desired
outcome at the best possible price. This
does not
necessarily mean choosing the cheapest price.
When assessing value for money the buyer will
weigh up the benefits of the purchase against the cost of the
purchase. Factors that the buyer may consider when assessing value
for money may include:
What does
open and effective competition mean?
Government buyers must ensure that the
purchasing process is impartial, open and that competitive offers
are encouraged.
Open and effective competition is achieved
through:
What does conducting purchasing
activities ethically and in accordance with a code of conduct
mean?
Government buyers must ensure that all
purchasing is undertaken in a fair and unbiased way and in the best
interests of the State.
As a supplier, you can be assured that:
-
You are provided with the same information as other suppliers upon
which to base your tender or quotation. Did you know that if you
ask a question that results in additional information being
provided to you, your question and the answer will be circulated to
all other potential suppliers?
-
You are provided with the same amount of time as other suppliers in
which to prepare your tender or quotation.
-
Fair and equal consideration is given to all tenders and
quotations.
-
Your dealings with the Government are kept confidential.
From a buyer's perspective:
-
Decisions must be made in the best interests of the State and must
not be influenced by self-interest or personal gain.
Government buyers cannot accept gifts or
any other benefits from suppliers.
-
Conflicts of interest are to be identified and dealt with.
-
Purchasing must be undertaken in accordance with government policies.
What does enhancing opportunities
for local business mean?
Government buyers must ensure that all local
businesses, such as yours, that wish to do business with the
Government are given the opportunity to do so.
Bids must be actively sought from local
businesses, particularly from those businesses that have previously
requested the opportunity to bid. Government buyers must contact
the Industry Capability Network Tasmania (ICNTAS), to check its
register of local capability, for purchases of goods and services
valued at $100 000 or more. Follow the link to find out how to get known to government buyers.
It is important to note that enhancing
opportunities for local business is not the same as giving
preference to local business. Under various international free trade and cooperative agreements which bind Australia, government buyers cannot discriminate
against suppliers from other states, territories, New Zealand, the
United States or Chile. Why? So that government buyers in other
states, territories, New Zealand, the United States and Chile do
not discriminate against Tasmanian suppliers.
Want to know more on How Purchasing Works,
Government Policies or the Purchasing Steps?
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