The Department of Finance has developed a new procurement framework aimed at making it easier for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to work with the Government.
The framework, which is supported by the Procurement Act 2020, brings together goods, services and works procurement under one piece of legislation.
Minister for Finance, Tony Buti said this enabled more streamlined procurement policies and practices to be set, and made the State Government’s procurement landscape easier to understand.
“The changes respond to recommendations from the Service Priority Review and the Special Inquiry into Government Programs and Projects,” Mr Buti said.
“These reviews found the previous procurement framework was fragmented and difficult for practitioners and suppliers to navigate.”
He said the new focus on community-based outcomes would create more local jobs, better support the regions, and improve engagement with Aboriginal businesses.
“There are also provisions for a debarment regime, which is crucial in ensuring the Government works only with ethical suppliers and contractors, and will also ensure businesses have the best opportunity to work with Government,” Mr Buti said.
“The debarment regime is expected to be introduced later this year.”
He said extensive consultation with Government Agencies and industry was undertaken before the framework was introduced, resulting in new, efficient procurement documents and guidance material being produced.
Details of the new whole-of-Government procurement framework can be accessed at this PS News link.
