Glossary

An alternative tender is a tender that offers an alternative proposal that still satisfies the agency's requirements.

Alternative tenders will not be considered unless they are allowed in the Conditions of Tendering.  If you wish to submit an alternative tender, check with the contracting agency first to ensure that it will be considered.

For the purposes of this website, government agencies are those agencies which are subject to the Financial Management and Audit Act 1990 and are subject to the purchasing guidelines outlined on this website.

The Australia New Zealand Government Procurement Agreement abolishes State purchasing preferences and ensures that Australian and New Zealand suppliers are given equal consideration and opportunities to contract for the supply of goods and services to the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments.

The guidelines provided on this website have been categorised into three business categories: Goods and Services, Building & Construction, and Roads and/or Bridges.  Many guidelines are applicable to all three categories.

BIZTAS is a free service offered by the Tasmanian Government to help local businesses succeed and become known locally, nationally and internationally.  Click here to visit BIZTAS.

The construction and refurbishment of buildings and residential properties, and associated maintenance (services and residential) and professional services (eg. architects).

A contract is an obligation, such as an accepted offer, between competent parties upon a legal consideration, to do, or abstain from doing, some act.

A whole-of-government contract established by the Department of Treasury and Finance for the supply of goods and services.  A Common Use Contract must be used by all inner-Budget agencies and may also be accessed by other approved government organisations.

A Consultant is a particular type of contractor who is engaged to:

• provide high-level specialist professional advice (or more generally non-manual services) to assist or influence agency decision making; and
• perform a specific one-off task or set of tasks.

A Contractor is an individual or organisation engaged under a contract (other than as an employee) to provide goods and/or services.

Dumped goods are goods that:

• are imported from overseas at less than their normal value;
• may cause injury to an Australian industry producing similar goods, or hinder the establishment of an Australian industry; and
• have been classified as being "dumped" by the Australian Customs Service (ACS).

An Expression of Interest (sometimes called a Registration of Interest) is a process used to shortlist potential suppliers before seeking detailed bids in accordance with the procurement thresholds.  An EOI process is generally used when the information required is specific and the agency is unsure of the capability of suppliers to provide the required goods or services.

Evaluation criteria are used to assess the merit of offers received.  The evaluation criteria are specified in the quotation or tender documentation.

Goods are tangible, transportable supplies.   Services are intangible supplies or effort, such as consultancies (other than building and construction related consultancies).

Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) are entities which operate outside the Public Account, principally on the basis of funds derived through their operations.   GBEs are subject to their own enabling legislation and the Government Business Enterprises Act 1995.

The Government Information Technology Contract is used for all purchases of computer hardware, software and IT services, regardless of value.

See "Agency".

ICNTAS is part of a national network of offices throughout Australia and New Zealand that offer free and confidential services to buyers and suppliers.  ICNTAS' primary role is to assist buyers to identify competitive local suppliers of goods and services.

All businesses operating in the State, which have a permanent office or presence in Tasmania and employ Tasmanian workers.

Building & Construction projects, including construction and maintenance, which have an estimated total value greater than $100 000.

Roads and Bridges projects which have an estimated value greater than $250 000.

Building Construction contracts with a capital value of less than $100 000.

Roads and Bridges projects with a capital value of less than $250 000.

A Probity Adviser provides advice on probity issues before and during the process of tendering and contracting to ensure the process is fair and in accordance with government guidelines.

Pre-qualification classifies you according to your expertise and capability in specific work categories within a specific financial range.  Pre-qualification is only required for Building Construction and Roads and/or Bridges consultants and contractors.

The Public Works Tender Board (PWTB) is responsible for conducting public works tenders over $100 000.  The PWTB is also responsible for developing and publishing the Public Works Tender Board Guidelines.

Also known as procurement.  Purchasing is the acquisition of goods or services.

The Procurement Advisory Group undertakes an ongoing review of the Government's procurement policies and agency tender processes.  This may also include the provision of advice to the Government on broader local content policy issues, particularly in respect of local industry participation in major development projects.

A quotation is the bid submitted in response to a Request for Quotation from a contracting authority.

A system of activities whose purpose is to provide assurance that the quality control is being done effectively.

The construction and maintenance of roads and bridges and associated professional services (eg. civil engineers).

A Request for Quotation can be either a verbal or written request for offers from businesses capable of providing a specified work, good or service.

A Request for Tender is a document soliciting offers from businesses capable of providing a specified work, good or service.  Requests for Tender are usually advertised.

The State Capital Program comprises the capital expenditure programs of government agencies, and the capital programs of statutory authorities, government business enterprises and State-owned Companies.

Statutory authorities are each established under specific legislation which defines the purpose for which they are established and the general functions for which they are responsible.

State-owned Companies (SOCs) operate outside the Public Account, principally on the basis of funds derived through their operations and are subject to the Corporations Act 2001, Company Constitutions and their respective Portfolio Legislation, eg. Aurora Energy Pty Ltd and TT-Line Company Pty Ltd.

A proposal, bid or offer that is submitted in response to a Request for Tender from a contracting authority.

A verbal Request for Quotation.  A verbal response may be adequate for very low value purchases, however, a written response would normally be expected.

Value for money means achieving the desired outcome at the best possible price.

A written Request for Quotation to undertake specific works or supply goods and services.