Changes to make NT government tender process easier for local businesses

The NT government has made important changes aimed at improving its tender assessment process.

THE Northern Territory government has made important changes aimed at improving its tender assessment process.

The government says its new Value for Territory Assessment Framework will help deliver greater consistency and transparency during assessment.

It says the changes will ensure tender assessment questions are relevant to the scope of goods and services being sought.

Northern Territory Small Business Minister Paul Kirby said the changes would help strengthen the government’s Buy Local Plan.

“The Territory government want to make it easier for local companies to compete for government contracts, and give Territory businesses the best possible chance of winning bids,” Mr Kirby said.

The Small Business Minister said industry could expect to see the first tenders being released incorporating the changes in the coming weeks.

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He said by October 2021 all quotes and tenders would incorporate the new requirements.

The framework includes a number of changes to the way tender assessments are planned and responses are assessed.

The key changes include:

DISCLOSURE of a more detailed breakdown of local content sub-weightings;

INFORMATION relating to the importance of each assessment criteria, so tenderers can understand what is important to focus on in their response;

COMMON set of easy to understand questions with clear response requirements; and

INCREASED objectivity in tender assessments.

The Value for Territory Assessment Framework has been developed through extensive consultation with industry and the Buy Local Industry Advocate.

“We have listened to industry and this new framework will enhance the capabilities of local businesses and increase transparency in the Tender process,” Mr Kirby said.

“The change will also provide clearer and more consistent feedback about why a business did or didn’t win a tender post-award.”

A guide for industry has been developed to explain how the Territory government defines and assesses Value for Territory in tenders and is available at nt.gov.au/industry/procurement/how-to-tender/tendering-with-government