My aim with this column is to speak about matters relating to procurement that are non operational.

Today however, I need to pass on some very important information to councils that is very operational and could impact on purchasing processes.

Some quick background – councils in NSW can purchase from contracts established by the State Government agency NSW Procurement and be fully compliant with the Local Government Act and Regulations. However, during 2012/13 NSW Procurement established a series of “pre-qualification” schemes which are contracts established using a streamlined approach to tendering. Basically suppliers need to provide some basic information and if approved are allocated to a panel of suppliers.

Under the Local Government Act, Section 55(1) requires councils to invite tenders before entering into any type of contract. Section 55(3) (a), lists certain contracts that are exempt from the tendering requirements of section 55(1). Paragraph (a) states that one of those contracts is a contract for the purchase of goods, service and materials where a prescribed person has specified:

• The particular goods, materials or services
   
• The person with whom that contract is to be made
   
• A rate for those goods, materials and services (which must not be exceeded).

LGP held a view that councils would not be meeting the requirements of the Act by using these pre-qualification panels as the three requirements above were not covered in all instances – in particular the “rate for those goods, materials and services” (as the pre-qualification process did not necessarily include receiving rates from suppliers).

LGP therefore sought legal advice on this matter, which confirmed our opinion.

We have also sought the opinion of the Division of Local Government (DLG) who again confirmed our position.

In essence, councils do not meet the requirements of the Act and Regulations when purchasing from pre-qualification panels established by NSW Procurement. 

It should be noted however, that LGP is liaising with NSW Procurement in an attempt to make changes to the State Motor Vehicle scheme to ensure that that pre-qualification scheme can be altered to meet council requirements. Those attempts are close to being resolved, enabling councils to continue to use that contract. We will provide further advice when this has been resolved.

A Bulletin has been sent to all council general managers and procurement staff with an explanation of this advice, including the formal advice from DLG. 

Councils should ensure that all relevant staff are aware of this advice.

If we can be of assistance please be in touch with the LGP Office via email info@lgp.org.au or phone 02 8270 8700.

Welcome again to the world of procurement network sessions for 2014.

The purpose of the network meetings is to enable council procurement staff from all over NSW to work collectively towards furthering the role of procurement in councils.

There are two LGP network meetings scheduled for 2014.

• Dates: Tuesday 29 April and Wednesday 13 August 2014
• Times: 9.30am to 12.30pm
• Venue: Local Government House, level 8, 28 Margaret Street Sydney.

A light lunch will be provided, so please RSVP your attendance.

Register your attendance here by 21 April for the first meeting
 

For 2014, LGP is pleased to announce the expansion of the highly successful NSW LG Procurement Roadmap and Development Program, delivered by ArcBlue Consulting. The Program has already assisted 40 diverse councils from across the State (and 135 across the country) in developing their organisational procurement performance, driving cost savings, improved probity and better outcomes for councils and their communities.

The 2014 Program incorporates the individual council Procurement Roadmap Program and also includes the option for councils to work together to strengthen their individual roadmaps by undertaking a detailed regional spend and opportunity analysis. The new regional program is designed to support the development of practical sustainable collaboration in procurement and shared services development.

LGP is pleased to offer the first 20 participating non-metro councils a subsidy of $500 off the cost of participation in the ‘NSW LG Procurement Roadmap and Development Program’ in 2014. For more information and to register your interest, please click here.

You are invited to attend and participate in the LGP Regional Roadshow 2014.

This is a fantastic opportunity to network with your peers from neighbouring councils as well as being informed of State Government procurement changes that affect local government purchasing. We will also discuss new contracts and services available through LGP. There will be time available to discuss local and regional issues and the latest movement in Social Procurement across NSW. Click here for more information.

Click here to view the date and region of the LGP Procurement forums which will coincide with IPWEA's forums. Details of the venues will be confirmed once registrations are finalised.

This is a free event but registration is essential, click here to register.

Key highlights of LGP's procurement training

• Since 2012, over 1000 council staff has attended LGP training modules
• In excess of 1490 procurement training sessions have been conducted
• LGP has trained staff from 130 councils in NSW via training in Sydney, regional and in-house training sessions
• LGP has also provided procurement training to around 100 Macquarie University staff.

Upcoming Sydney training

• ​Local Government Purchasing - 17 March
• Advanced Purchasing - 18 March
• Specification Writing - 25 March
• Stores & Inventory - 27 March.

Venue: Local Government House, 28 Margaret Street, Sydney
Cost: $500 plus GST for all full day sessions.

Upcoming regional training in Newcastle 

• Local Government Purchasing - 13 March
• Inventory and Stores Operations - 14 March.

Venue: Kurri Kurri Tafe Campus, McLeod Rd, Kurri Kurri
Cost: $500 plus GST for full day sessions or $250 plus GST for half-day sessions*

Please view our 2014 training calendar for detailed outlines of training modules via the LGP website.

For further information about LGP training modules, Certificate IV and Diploma of Government (Procurement & Contracting) Qualification, please contact Shalan Rao LGP Business Manager Training or phone 02 8270 8703.

• NSW Revenue Professionals Conference  
  2-4 April, Hunter Valley
   
• IPWEA NSW 2014 Works Conference
  12-14 May, Penrith
   
• CivEnEx
  14-15 May, Eastern Creek
   
• LGMA Finance Conference 
  4-6 June, Hunter Valley

As many councils will be renewing their Microsoft licences over the next 6 months under the LGP contract. Microsoft will be holding briefing sessions to provide up to date information on the options available through the Large Account Resellers.

One of these briefing sessions will be held in western Sydney, most likely Parramatta, one to the north and one to the south of Sydney in the week commencing 24 March 2014.

Microsoft will be sending out the details of the venues and times direct to councils.

The details for the Large Account Resellers on the LGP panel are on the LGP website. Quotes can easily be obtained from them for your Microsoft licensing by using VendorPanel, LGP’s software program, free of charge.

Further details for this contract and instructions on how to get a VendorPanel log in are available in the secure section of the LGP website. 

If you need assistance please don’t hesitate to contact your local Business Manager.

Electricity 6

LGP wishes to advise that it will be tendering again shortly for the supply of Electricity to New South Wales councils. This will be the sixth process we have conducted since 2010.

During this time savings have been realised for the sector in excess of $35 m and a participation rate exceeding 80 councils and several not-for-profit organisations. The categories that will be covered in this new round are Large Sites, Small Sites, Unmetered Street Lighting and Green Power.

Previous participants with contracts expiring in the near future will be invited to renew those contracts in this upcoming tender. Councils and other eligible organisations that have not previously participated are warmly invited to join in.  For further information or an explanation of the process involved, please contact LGP’s Business Manager, Bob Lewis or phone 02 8270-8707 or 0447 659 351.

Hear about and explore case studies, innovation and resources for sensible, sustainable procurement, with one of councils highest cost - roads.

This forum is an opportunity for fleet, engineers and procurement officers as well as environmental practitioners to discover many alternative materials that are available to the civil construction industry and hear about their durability.

Click here to view the invitation and programme.

For further information contact Jody Houston of LGNSW on 02 9242 4053 or 0437 303 244.

Log into the LGP website for contract information, such as contractor contact details. A summary of LGP contracts are listed below.

For further information contact your LGP Business Manager.

Engineering Contracts

• Playground, Open Space and Recreational Infrastructure LGP308-2
• Pipes, Fittings & Fixtures and Associated Products & Services LGP908-2
• Professional Consulting Services (Engineering, Planning, Environment, Community and Assets) LGP1208-2
• Supply of products for Horticultural, Pest, Pool and Water Management LGP408-2
• Supply of Workwear and Personal Protective Apparel (national panel contract) NPN3.11.

Fleet/Plant Contracts

• Asphaltic Concrete Materials & Related Services LGP213
• Heavy Plant and Equipment LGP707-2
• Small Plant and Outdoor Power Equipment LGP508-2
• Specialised Truck Bodies and Machines: Waste Collection, Civic Cleaning, Removal and Access LGP1608-2
• Supply of Mobile Garbage Bins, Industrial Containers & Bins, Static Compactors, Associated Products and Services (national panel contract) NPN1.11
• Traffic Management Services LGP113
• Trucks for Local Government (national panel contract) NPN04-13.

Services/IT Contracts

• Advertising - Media Sydney Metropolitan Daily Newspapers, Regional Publications and On-line Advertising and Advertising Agencies LGP106-2 and LGP406-2
• Corporate Wardrobe (national panel contract) NPN2.11
• Debt Recovery Services LGP109-2
• HR Temporary Placements and Associated Services LGP808-2
• Library Books and Resource Materials LGP507-2
• Microsoft Licensing and Associated Products and Services via Large Account Resellers (LARs) LGP108-2
• Office Supplies and Janitorial (including; heavy duty cleaning) and Associated Products LGP1007-2
• Operating Lease Services to cover ICT, Photocopiers, Printers and other Equipment LGP1107-2
• Provision of IT&C Professional Services LGP1008-2
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems, Equipment,  Associated Products & Services LGP309-2
• Supply of PCs, Notebooks, Servers and Associated Services and Equipment LGP306-2
• Telecommunications LGP407-2.

Mobile Garbage Bins, Industrial Containers & Bins, Static Compactors, Associated Products and Services NPN1.11-2
The National Procurement Network is inviting tenders for the supply of Mobile Garbage Bins (MGBs), Industrial Containers & Bins, Static Compactors, Associated Products & Services to councils across all of NSW, NT, SA, QLD and TAS. This tender  will close at 2pm on Friday 28 March 2014 AEST.

Heavy Plant & Equipment T7.07-3
LGP invited tenders for standing offers to supply: Heavy Plant & Equipment. This tender closed at 2pm on Friday, 21 February 2014 AEST. This tender has entered the evaluation stage. LGP received 25 tender submissions from (1 was a duplicate tender):

1. AGCO Australia Ltd
2. Atlas Copco Australia Pty Ltd T/as Atlas Copco Construction   Equipment Australia
3. Ausroad Systems Pty Limited
4. CJD Equipment Pty Ltd
5. Clark Equipment Sales Pty Ltd
6. CNH Australia Pty Ltd
7. Conplant Pty Ltd
8. CFC Holdings Pty Ltd T/as  JCB Construction Equipment Australia
9. W (Bill) Cornish PTY LTD
10. Earthmoving Equipment Australia Pty Limited
11. GCM Enviro Pty Ltd
12. Hitachi Construction Machinery (Australia) PTY LTD
13. Hyundai Construction Equipment Australia Pty Ltd
14. Kobelco Construction Machinery Australia Pty Ltd
15. Komatsu Australia Pty Ltd
16. Komatsu Forklift Australia Pty Ltd
17. Paveline International Pty Ltd
18. Semco Pty Limited  T/as Semco Equipment Sales
19. Sherrin Rentals Pty Ltd
20. The Trustee for G.C.M. Agencies Unit Trust T/as G.C.M. Agencies Pty Ltd
21. BT Equipment Pty Ltd T/as Tutt Bryant Equipment
22. Wacker Neuson Pty Ltd
23. WesTrac Pty Ltd T/as Westrac
24. William Adams Pty Ltd.

For further information visit the LGP website or contact the LGP Tender Team.

Heavy Plant & Equipment LGP707-2
LGP has terminated their agreement with contractor  Price Farm Machinery and Wirtgen Australia Pty Ltd and are no longer on the panel.

Library Books and Resource Materials LGP507-2
LGP has terminated their agreement with contractor  Continental Book Shop Soundbooks Pty Ltd and are no longer on the panel.

Professional Consulting Services (Engineering, Planning, Environment, Community and Assets) LGP1208-2
Annual Anniversary. Contractors have been asked to refresh their pricing schedules. Please ensure you refer to the LGP website for the most up to date versions of pricing.

Provision of IT&C Professional Services LGP1008-2
Dell Australia Pty Ltd has been appointed to the panel. Please refer to the LGP website for further information.

Trucks for Local Government (Aust.) NPN04.13
Freightliner Australia have added category Prime Movers to their range of services. Please ensure you refer to the LGP website  for the most up to date versions of pricing.

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

Asphaltic Concrete (AC) Materials & Related Services LGP213

LGP Approved Contractors are:

1. Accurate Asphalt & Road Repairs Pty Ltd
2. Avijohn Contracting Pty Ltd
3. Bernipave Pty Ltd
4. BMR Quarries Pty Ltd
5. Borthwick Pengilly Asphalts Pty Ltd
6. Downer EDI Works Pty Ltd
7. Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd
8. Mid Coast Road Services
9. NA (Aust) Group Pty Ltd
10. NSW Spray Seal
11. Ozpave (Aust) Pty Ltd
12. Pacific Blue Metal Pty Ltd
13. Sharpe Bros (Aust) Pty Ltd
14. SRS Roads Pty Ltd
15. Stabilised Pavements of Australia Pty Ltd
16. State Asphalt Services Pty Ltd.

As it is a new contract, we urge you to review the information on the LGP website to ensure you are fully informed, including contract specifications and pricing for each approved contractor.

Supply of PC’s, Notebooks, Servers and Associated Services and Equipment LGP306-2

4D Global is an end-to-end field mobility provider, covering the full range of products and services for planning, developing, and managing spatial data and assets. Being a Motion Platinum Hardware Partner allows them to deliver the best value for money.

For more information contact Heather Brown or 03 9466 5255 or 0438 200 025. Alternatively visit their website.

IT&C Professional Services and Associated Products (LGP1008-2)

Meeting expectations to safeguard your city streets, parks and public places is possible with simplified surveillance solutions tailored to your needs from Quest. Physical and connected security solutions make for a safer and more secure local government area.

Click here for more information or contact their sales team or 1300 304 478. Alternatively visit their website.

HR Temporary Placements and Associated Services (panel contract) LGP808-2

Randstad Education are proud to have worked with NSW local government since 1993. This month they are focusing on up-skilling their casuals to obtain a Supervisors Certificate to meet the increasing demand from clients. As always, they have a pool of qualified educators available immediately across NSW. In addition to early learning & OOSH, Randstad is also offering staffing services in Administration, Health & Community Care, IT, Finance, Engineering & Industrial.

For all your staffing needs call 24/7 on Early Years 02 8238 0200 and OOSH 02 8238 0240. Alternatively visit their website.

""Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use."

                                                        ~ Earl Nightingale