Tender process

The following is a high-level overview of Gladstone Regional Council's (Council's) tendering process:

Overview

Step 1.Tender released

Tender released, public notice made on website and on socials. Suppliers access the tender, ask questions, and submit a conforming tender via VendorPanel.

Step 2.Closed and evaluated

Tenders are downloaded, reviewed and evaluated by Council staff. Clarifications made if required. Tenders are shortlisted, and level 2 reviews are performed (Safety and Environment).

Step 3.Tender awarded

Internal approval for award of the tender and Council approval if required. Notification to awarded supplier and contract signed electronically.

Step 4.Contract commencement

Online safety portal onboarding (Beakon), vendor onboarding (EFTsure) and contract kick-off meetings.

Invitation to Tender (ITT) Document

The Invitation to Tender (ITT) document is made up of the following four sections:

Section 1 - Tendering Conditions

What is it?
Tendering conditions.

What do you need to do?
Supplier to review.

What are some critical points?

  • Consider dates and timeliness outlined
  • Evalutation criteria
  • Point of contact.

Section 2 - Contract Conditions

What is it?
Proposed contract.

What do you need to do?
Supplier to review.

What are some critical points?

  • Term (contract duration)
  • Pricing structure
  • Pricing increase process
  • Insurance requirements.

Section 3 - Scope of Work

What is it?
Scope.

What do you need to do?
Supplier to review.

What are some critical points?

  • Work/services requirements, sepcifications and delivery dates
  • Council's Safety and environmental requirements
  • Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Attachments and drawings.

Section 4 - Tenderer's Offer

What is it?
Tender response document.

What do you need to do?
Supplier to fill out each section and required attachment(s).

What are some critical points?

  • Company name must align to ASIC or ABN lookup
  • Checklist at the start lists mandatory response documents
  • Local office must be evidenced to qualify for local business.

What you need to consider

The following are the dos and don'ts of tendering with Council:

☑ Ask questions during the open tender period 
☑ Proofread and sign the Section 4 tenderer’s offer document 
☑ Complete in full all returnable documents  
☑ Review contract terms proposed 
☑ Allow enough time to upload tender in VendorPanel 
☑ Ensure all pricing rates have been included.

☐ Do not directly contact Council staff outside of the Contracts Team 
☐ Do not include irrelevant information in your tender 
☐ Do not submit tender via email, post or in person 
☐ Do not return a signed contract with your tender. 

Tendering frequently asked questions

Can I resubmit my previous tender documents if it is the same activity?

No, you must prepare a new tender based on the Invitation to Tender (ITT) requirements.

When will I know the outcome of the tender?

For panel contracts, it streamlines engagement for jobs with Council.

Suppliers not under a panel contract would require additional effort when quoting (i.e. including licences, insurances and safety and environment with every individual job).

How will I be engaged under a panel contract?

Suppliers on a panel contract have their details on Council’s contracts register, for all Council employees to access.

Contact could be phone, email, or the VendorPanel system seeking a proposal.

What should I do if I am not appointed to a panel contract?

Request for feedback and consider submitting for any refresh opportunities.

Council is working towards increasing refresh opportunities over the life of panel contracts.

This is a retender to invite new suppliers.

What is the difference between a panel contract (RPQS), and a Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA)?

RPQS is a panel or a group of suppliers with no fixed commitment or schedule. 

A PSA is a single supplier for a fixed commitment of scheduled work.