LGP News - November 2015

The annual 2015 Local Government Procurement Conference is now only over a week away and I wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the benefits that attending this year's conference will deliver.

Our annual conference is a great networking event that brings together procurement professionals from all walks of the industry. It is a really great opportunity to meet and mix with fellow peers and gain some valuable insights from others.

As some of you may be aware, times are possibly changing in the future of local government, so what better theme to have than ‘Gearing up for the Future’. The theme concentrates on the new challenges facing procurement in the local government sector, and presents a variety of perspectives and solutions.

We are proud to bring together a diverse group of experienced speakers who will share their insights on interesting topics relating to procurement that will assist professionals in their roles within council. There will be topics tailored to both the most experienced professional, as well as those new to the procurement field.

Both councils and contractors will be benefit from this year’s event and will have the opportunity to establish great new business connections. At the same time, we want to make sure that the conference itself is absolutely memorable and we have a full program filled with presentations, exhibitions, the Local Government Procurement Awards and conference dinner.

Last year’s conference was a success beyond words. We received fantastic feedback from numerous attendees, with many rating the event as extremely useful and an excellent networking opportunity.

We are anticipating the same results at this year’s event, if not better!

Don’t forget, if you are a general manager or director of a council then you will be able to attend the event free of charge, if attending with a registered council employee.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

LGP is pleased to announce the release of its Procurement Toolkit 2016 in-house training package featuring a revised format and pricing structure, an interactive task-based learning approach and the introduction of an Ethics, Probity and Organisational culture module. To mark its release, LGP is offering an early bird discount of 20% off to ROCs and local councils that register by 18 December.  For more information visit the LGP website.

From time to time councils may have the need to engage Legal Services providers to represent and provide legal support to council on potentially contentious legal issues that many councils face on a regular basis.

Recently LGP’s Procurement Services Team were engaged by a Council located on the outskirts of Sydney to facilitate a tender process on their behalf to ensure an efficient and robust procurement process was conducted that would deliver value for money and withstand any scrutiny.  

The Procurement Services Team met with Council staff to identify all requirements, potential risks and an evaluation methodology that would ensure the process would achieve an advantageous result for Council.

A detailed scope of works was developed nominating several specific categories of work for legal services including:

• Administrative law
• Contracts (and contractual disputes)
• Insurance
• Environment planning and assessment matters and approvals
• Local court representation
• Real property
• Section 94/planning agreements
• Additional services.

LGP worked closely with Council staff to establish and confirm relevant compliance and qualitative evaluation criteria which were applicable for this Council's requirements and incorporated these into a detailed evaluation and probity plan as well as a concise set of tender documents. 

LGP facilitated the probity focused evaluation process that clearly identified legal service providers that met the requirements of Council. A panel of shortlisted legal services providers was subsequently selected with each of the companies having experience in all of the categories of work required.

This project highlighted that by working with LGP’s Procurement Services Team, Council saved time, money and ensured a robust procurement process took place that delivered value to the Council and the expectations of the community.

If you have any questions or need support with a tender for legal services providers please contact the LGP Procurement Services Team or 02 8270 8723.

Most councils dabble in sponsorships in one manner or another. The well governed of you have policies in place to assist and guide, however does your council treat sponsorships as a form of procurement?

Sponsorships pose two forms of risk to councils

1. Contract: Sponsorships can be either provided to your council, perhaps for a festival or other event, or provided by the council in the form of grants of financial assistance. Both forms of sponsorship potentially create contracts and require probity to be exercised.
    
2. Corruption: Sponsorships can be sought-after or offered unsolicited. Either way, these financial dealings expose councils and council staff to corruption risks.

Message to take away: 

• Sponsorships expose your council and staff to contract and corruption risks.
• Consider whether to review your procurement policies in light of the sponsorships that your council awards.
• Start the conversation about whether the documents governing your council’s sponsorships adequately guard against risk.
• Call Prevention Partners NSW for further information on 0438 280 621

Click here to view the article in full.

Great news for the buyers of Bitumen, Emulsions and Asphalt Materials!

LGP is pleased to announce some new functionality in VendorPanel called Filter Tags. The filter tags will allow you to further refine the list of panel contractors. Review the links below to learn more or contact your Business Manager.

What are Filter Tags and how do they work?

Which region does my council belong to?

The maximum file size upload has been increased from 10MB to 40MB so users now have the ability to upload 25 files up to 40MB each in size.

Examples of interesting situations:

• Ownership of a song originally written by Beatles/Coldplay
• Ownership of a sculpture
• Ownership of consultant report containing information supplied by council, by consultant and by 3rd party
• Ownership of a design
• Mayor's column in newspaper written by a journalist paid by Council to do so.

Each of these scenarios probably requires a different way of dealing with intellectual property, copyright and/or moral rights. You need to tailor the wording of the relevant clauses within a contract to be practical and reasonable. Perhaps consider:

Intellectual property: The need to understand who created the information & how you want to use it in the future.

Copyright: The right to reproduce the information in various circumstances.

Moral rights: can be assigned to a particular party, meaning that;

• There is no need to attribute the author;
• Council may be able to alter the work in any way (e.g. alter the report, design)
• Council may not need to advise the author or designer creator.

Tyres and Asbestos: Don't risk an $8,000 fine or prosecution with penalties of up to $5 million

Under Section 143 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) and the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014 it is the responsibility of both council and waste tyre consignors, transporters and those facilities receiving waste tyres in NSW to track and report the transport, disposal, storage or recycling of waste tyres (and asbestos) and ensuring that such waste greater than 20 tyres, or 200kg within NSW is tracked and transported to a place that can lawfully accept it.

Tyres that are used, rejected or unwanted are classified as ‘waste tyres’. This includes casings, seconds, shredded tyres or tyre pieces. Tyres that are re-treaded or intended to be used for re-treading or recycling must also be managed as waste tyres.
LGP Approved Contractors and Councils have the responsibility to ensure that they, their employees, sub-contractors and agents comply with all applicable statutory requirements, which includes the Protection of the Environment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2014.

Read the full details here

NPN1.15 Specialised Trucks and Bodies
This is NPN collaborative arrangement with Local Buy Pty Ltd acting as the lead agency on this process. The National Procurement Network (NPN) member states participating include; Local Buy Pty Ltd (Queensland), Local Government Procurement Pty Ltd (NSW), LGA Procurement (SA), Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT), Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), WA Local Government Association (WALGA) and MAV Procurement (Municipal Association of Victoria).

Contract Details: This contract commenced on the 1st October 2015 for all states except NSW. The LGP commencement date is the 1 December 2015 to coincide with the current contract Specialised Truck Bodies & Machines: Waste Collection, Civic Cleaning, Removal & Access (LGP1608-2) expiring on the 30 November 2015.

This contract expires 30 November 2018 with two options of 12 months each. The last possible expiry date is 30 November 2020.

For general information please contact the Category Manager regarding this contract.

T1.06-3 Advertising Media
LGP invites tenders for Standing Offers to supply: Advertising Agency Services. Requirements of the RFT include: Print Media - Sydney metropolitan daily newspapers, Print Media - Regional and Community Publications, Print Media - Interstate and National Publications, Online Recruitment - Job boards, Digital Advertising.

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team
LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

RFT status: Tenders closed on 2 October 2015 and is currently in evaluation.

NPN C031-12 Bulk Petroleum Products including Bio & Aviation Fuels and AdBlue, Fuel Card Services and Oils and Lubricants
LGP as the facilitator of this tender, invites tenders on behalf the lead agency WALGA, for the National Procurement Network (NPN) for Standing Offers to supply: Bulk Petroleum Products including Bio & Aviation Fuels and AdBlue, Fuel Card Services and Oils and Lubricants.

This tender is to seek additional contractors to join an existing contract, therefore successful parties will be added have a reduce term as the contract expiry remains the same.

RFT status: Tenders on close on the 13 November 2015.

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

T1.15 IT&C Products, Services & Consulting – Phase One
LGP invites successful respondents from the EOI process as selective tenderers to participate in stage 2 of this two part procurement process. These tenders were released on 20 October 2015.

Phase One includes:
Category 1: Telecommunications Services (The selective tender for has been extended to 2pm on the 19 November 2015.)   
Category 2: IT Hardware (on-premise)
Category 3: Network Infrastructure.

Phase One Tenders status: Tenders closed at 2.00pm on 5 November 2015.

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

T1.15 IT&C Products, Services & Consulting – Phase Two
LGP invites successful respondents from the EOI process as selective tenderers to participate in stage 2 of this two part procurement process. These tenders were released on 3rd November 2015.

Phase Two includes:
Category 4: Phone Systems
Category 5: Professional Services
Category 6: Printing and Scanning

Phase Two Tenders status: Tenders close at 2.00pm on 20 November 2015.

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

T11.07-3 Operating Lease Services
LGP invites submissions as part of stage 2 of a 2 part procurement process, for Standing Offers to supply: Operating Lease Services. Items covered under this process include: Servers, Desktop computers, Notebook/ Mobile Computers/Tablets (commercial tier), Communications/Telephony, Network Equipment, Printers/Copiers/MFDs/Scanners, RFID Equipment and Data Projectors, Other technology based equipment and other goods for which the lessor is willing to offer leasing finance using tendered rates and residual risk levels (“Goods”).

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

RFT status: Tenders closed on the 25 September 2015 and is currently in evaluation.

T12.08-3 Professional Consulting Services
LGP invites tenders for Standing Offers to supply professional consulting services. Requirements of the RFT include: Architectural and Interior Design Services, Asset Management Services, Building Services Engineering, Civil Engineering Services, Environmental Services, Heritage Conservation and Planning Services, Landscape Architecture and Design Services, Planning, Design and Development Services, Surveying Services, and Water and Waste Water Engineering Services.

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

RFT status: This evaluation for this tender is currently in progress. Tenderers please be advised that this tender and evaluation process whilst seemingly protracted is delayed by approximately 2-4 weeks. The timetable provided in the tender document and as published on the LGP website shows that possible delays based on volume of submissions was accounted for. Additionally a four week period was also incorporated into the timetable to allow for the 2014-2015 holiday season. LGP expects that outcome letters to advise tenderers of the result is estimated for early April 2006 which is still on scheduled for the 1 June 2016 Commencement Date.

T1.15 IT&C Products, Services & Consulting – Phase Three
LGP invites successful respondents from the EOI process as selective tenderers to participate in stage 2 of this two part procurement process. These tenders are scheduled for release on 17 November 2015 and closing on 4 December 2015.

Phase Three includes:
Category 7: Software
Category 8: ICT Support
Category 9: Website Services

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

Phase Three Tenders status: Scheduled for release.

T1.15 IT&C Products, Services & Consulting – Phase Four
LGP invites successful respondents from the EOI process as selective tenderers to participate in stage 2 of this two part procurement process. These tenders are scheduled for release on 27 November 2015 and closing on 10 December 2015.

Phase Four includes:
Category 10: Managed Services
Category 11: Business Support
Category 12: Audio Visual

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

Phase Four Tenders status: Scheduled for release.

T1.15 IT&C Products, Services & Consulting – Phase Five
LGP invites successful respondents from the EOI process as selective tenderers to participate in stage 2 of this two part procurement process. These tenders are scheduled for release on 1 December 2015 and closing on 16 December 2015.

Phase Five includes:
Category 13: Cloud Services (XaaS)
Category 14: Integration Services
Category 15: Development Services

Tenderers: For information contact the LGP Tender Team

LGP buyers: Contact your LGP Business Manager

Phase Five Tenders status: Scheduled for release.

Industrial, Construction and Electrical Hardware

LGP has received significant interest from local government and major industry leaders in regards to the expiring NSW State Contract 500: Industrial, Construction and Electrical Hardware. LGP understand that NSW Procurement does not intend to extend the contract past 30 September 2015.

LGP appreciates that council's need an alternative and as always LGP is here to address the needs of local government to the best of its ability. Unfortunately the decision not to extend or continue with the Contract 500 has occurred in the last few months and as such leaves LGP with no window to have a replacement panel by 1 October 2015.

LGP has committed to fast track a tender process by introducing it into the 2015-2016 Tender Plan. However the resulting contract will only become available approximately mid 2016. LGP requires this time to engage with the main industry stakeholders; develop the procurement, probity and evaluation plans; release and close the tender; evaluate responses and induct tenderers.

LGP will not be including safety (protective personal equipment) and plumbing (currently listed on Contract 500) as these goods are already available on current LGP contracts:

Supply of Workwear and Personal Protective Apparel (NPN3.11)

Pipes, Associated Fixtures, Pumps & Concrete Products (LGP908-2)

Small plant (lawn-mowers, whipper-snippers, blowers etc.) (LGP5.08-2).

At this stage LGP is looking at creating a contract for industrial, construction and electrical hardware and will include:

• Paint and protective coatings and adhesives (excl. line marking paints)
• Electrical and lighting (industrial & household)
• General hardware
• Building and construction materials
• Hand and power tools

In the coming weeks we will be contacting councils via survey for feedback on the types of companies currently being utilised and categories of products required and to ascertain their interest in being involved in the tender evaluation working groups. Working group participants are welcome no matter how much time you can afford.

A survey was sent to council works-stores-procurement staff which closed on Wednesday 21 October 2015. The results are being reviewed ad will assist in the development of the LGP Business Case. Thankyou for all who provided their valuable feedback.

For further information contact the Procurement Manager, Tenders & Special Projects Margret Szanto on 0427 666 337.

The following contracts will be expiring next year with work on them to commence in the coming months:

• Debt Recovery Services (LGP109-2)
• Library Books and Resource Materials (LGP507-2)
• Pipes, Associated Fixtures, Pumps & Concrete Products (LGP908-2)
• Supply of Workwear and Personal Protective Apparel (NPN3.11)

Extension of the existing Electricity and Gas Panels

The existing panel for the electricity, green power and gas retailers has been in place since 2011. Consequently, the time has come to commence the process for updating, or expanding, this panel.  We now have a scheduled release date of 10 November 2015 for an Expression of Interest for retailers to participate in.

Enquiries: Contact the LGP Category Manager for Utilities

Asphaltic Concrete (AC) Materials & Related Services

Tropic Asphalts Pty Ltd has added the category of Major & Minor Road Patching to its range of deliverables under the contract and has updated its pricing schedule accordingly.

Fenworx Pty Ltd has updated its company name to incorporate Newpave Asphalt as its trading name.

Corporate Wardrobe

Advance Design Clothing Co has updated its pricing schedule.

Debt Recovery Services

The following contractors are no longer on the panel arrangement: Australian Debt Recoveries Pty Ltd, Coleman Greig Lawyers and J S Mueller & Co.

Heavy Plant and Equipment

CNH Australia Pty Ltd has added the category of Motor Graders to their range of deliverables available under contract and have updated its pricing schedule accordingly.

Horticultural, Pest, Pool and Water Management

Redox Pty Ltd has refreshed its pricing schedule.

Living Turf has refreshed its pricing schedule.

HR Temporary Placements and Associated Services

As of 1 July 2015, changes to the awards applicable to local government have come into effect. Panel members on this contract have accordingly been invited to submit updated pricing schedules in relation to pricing directly affected by the statutory changes.

Complete Staff Solutions Pty Ltd has updated its pricing schedule to incorporate statutory changes to awards applicable to local government.

Library Books and Resource Materials

The Book House has changed its company name to Book House Company Pty Ltd ATF The Book House Trading Trust trading as The Book House. LGP note that there has been a change to the company ABN/ACN.

Mobile Garbage Bins, Industrial Containers & Bins, Static Compactors, Associated Products and Services

Trident Plastics (SA) Pty Ltd has updated its range of products and has updated its pricing schedule accordingly.

Mil-Tek Waste Solutions Pty Ltd has updated its product list and accordingly has refreshed its pricing schedule.

Office Supplies and Janitorial (including; Heavy Duty Cleaning) and Associated Products.

Environmental Fluid Systems Pty Ltd is no longer an LGP Approved Contractor.

Pipes, Fittings & Fixtures and Associated Products & Services

The following Contractors have updated their pricing schedules in accordance with the contract anniversary: Viadux Pty Ltd and Cadia Group Pty Ltd.

Playground, Open Space and Recreational Infrastructure

A-Play has changed its name to a_space. LGP note there has been no change to the company ACN or ABN.

Landmark Products Limited has changed its name to Landmark Products Pty Ltd. LGP note there has been no change to the company ACN/ABN.

Viva Recreation Pty Ltd has changed its name to Proludic Pty Ltd. LGP note that there has been no change to the company ACN/ABN.

The following contractors have updated their pricing schedules in accordance with the contract anniversary: Moodie Outdoor Products Pty Ltd, Spizvac Marketing Pty Ltd, Landmark Products Pty Ltd, CRS Creative Recreation Solutions Pty Ltd, Parkequip Pty Ltd, Orca Solar Lighting and Scully Outdoor Designs Australia Pty Ltd.

Small Plant and Outdoor Power Equipment

John Deere Limited has updated its product range and has refreshed its pricing schedule accordingly.

Equipment Solutions Pty Ltd has added to its product range and updated its pricing schedule accordingly.

Stihl Pty Ltd has refreshed its pricing schedule.

Traffic Management Services

Verifact Traffic has updated its pricing schedule to incorporate the statutory changes to the Awards applicable to Local Government.

Trucks for Local Government (Aust.)

Unimog Sales Australia & Uniqco Special Vehicles is no longer an LGP Approved Contractor.

Isuzu Australia Limited has updated its pricing schedule.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia Pty Ltd has withdrawn from this NPN panel contract.

Workwear and Personal Protective Apparel

RSEA Pty Ltd has refreshed its pricing schedule.

Please ensure you refer to the LGP website for the most up to date versions of pricing.

Engineering and Works

• Bitumen, Emulsions and Asphalt Materials and Services (LGP213)
• Horticultural, Pest, Pool and Water Management (LGP408-2)
• Pipes, Associated Fixtures, Pumps & Concrete Products (LGP908-2)
• Playground, Open Space and Recreational Infrastructure (LGP308-2)
• Professional Consulting Services (Engineering, Planning, Environment, Community & Assets) LGP1208-2
• Road and Traffic Signage, Associated Hardware and Roadside Products (LGP114)
• Supply of Workwear and Personal Protective Apparel (NPN3.11)
• Traffic Management Services (LGP113)

Fleet and Plant

• Heavy Plant & Equipment (LGP707-3)
• Mobile Garbage Bins, Industrial Containers & Bins, Static Compactors, Associated Products and Services (NPN1.11-2)
• Small Plant & Outdoor Power Equipment (LGP508-2)
• Specialised Trucks and Bodies (LGP16.08-2)
• Supply, Fitting, Maintenance & Recycling of Tyres, Tubes and Automotive & Marine Batteries (NPN1.14)
• Trucks for Local Government (Aust.) (NPN04-13)

Information and Technology

• IT&C Professional Consulting Services (LGP1008-2)
• Microsoft Licensing and Associated Products & Services via Large Account Resellers (LGP108-2)
• Operating Lease Services to cover Information and Communications Technology, Photocopiers, Printers & other Equipment (LGP1107-2)
• PCs, Notebooks, Servers & Associated Services & Equipment (LGP306-2)
• Telecommunications Services (LGP407-2)

Services

• Corporate Wardrobe (NPN2.11-2)
• Debt Recovery Services (LGP109-2)
• HR Temporary Placements & Associated Services (LGP808-2)
• Library Books and Resource Materials (LGP507-2)
• Media Sydney Metropolitan Daily Newspapers & On-line Recruitment (LGP106-2) and Advertising Agencies (LGP406-2)
• Office Supplies & Janitorial (including; Heavy Duty Cleaning) & Associated Products (LGP1007-2)
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems, Equipment, Associated Products & Services (LGP309-2)

Utilities

• Supply of Electricity & Green Power to NSW councils and eligible Not for Profit Organisations.

View the LGP website for further detail or contact your local LGP Business Manager.

Electricity action

LGP is pleased to introduce Peter Flood,  our new Category Manager, Utilities. Peter comes to us having been in the energy industry for the last twenty years.  During this time he has been involved with a number of energy retailers, most recently EnergyAustralia, and has dealt exclusively in the area of business development with the largest gas and electricity consumers nationally.

Originating from the UK, where Peter served with the British forces, he came to Australia and worked in private enterprise in various engineering management roles both in Australia and the Asia Pacific region prior to his time in the energy industry.
Peter is married with one son, residing on the outskirts of Sydney, and as a pastime is an avid cyclist who participates in long distance charity events and has raced at both the club level as well as in the World Masters games.  Further the Flood family are carers with Guide Dogs Australia including Pets as Therapy.

Many of you will inevitably speak with Peter soon!

Contract Management Team

LGP is pleased to introduce Dolly Sequeira in our Contract Management Team as a Contracts Administrator reporting to Angela O'Dea. Dolly has vast  experience in the field of Projects, HR and Procurement. Originating from India where she did her studies, and then moved to Oman. Dolly moved to Australia four and a half years ago and is married and has two daughters. Her hobbies are cooking and has also done some painting in her spare time. She is now committed to do studies in the field of Contracts Management and gain more experience in her current field.

HR Temporary Placements & Associated Services (LGP808-2)

Have you ordered your 2015/16 HR Workpocket?

The Workpocket is your 360° guide to HR and employment providing best practice advice.  Visit Randstad to order your copy today (limited time only)!

"Listen to your people"

Listen to your team, your suppliers, your managers. They all have good, valuable ideas and they will keep the function of procurement moving forward.

Tim Burt, Deputy Editor, Procurement Leaders Magazine