If your dream is to apply for government tenders in Australia, this article will be eye-opening for you. We will answer the common queries related to the tender acquisition and tell you the steps you need to follow to look for government opportunities and the official rules you must follow when undertaking a procurement; So If you are curious to know how to apply for government tenders, Let us read ahead.

Where Can I Learn about Government Opportunities?
The official website of the Australian government publishes many notices of successful opportunities, standing office and government tenders valued at or above $10,000. The official website is the AusTender website. Interested parties can utilise this website to register themselves so that they are notified of business opportunities that match their profile, download tender documents, lodge a response to a tender they are interested in and find the details of existing contracts. ISO 9001 consultancy will help you learn more about the different types of ISO certifications, especially ISO 9001 known as Quality Management Systems (QMS).

Other Government Websites for Tenders; How to Apply Tender Online?
Every state and territory within Australia has a specific website that lists the region-specific tenders and contracts. Some examples include:

o Tenders ACT is the website for the Australian Capital Territory.
o NSW eTendering is the website for New South Wales.
o Quotations and tenders online is the official website for the Northern Territory.
o QTenders is the official website for Queensland.
o TendersSA is the website for South Australia.
o Tasmanian Government Tenders is the website for Tasmania.
o Buying from Victoria is the website for Victoria.
o TendersWA is the official website for Western Australia.

If you are asking how to apply for government tenders, these websites can be the best resources to find opportunities to apply for tenders in Australia.



How Can I Sell to the Government?
To apply for any tender, it is necessary to have a good understanding of how the Australian government processes contracts and tenders. Thankfully, the Australian government themselves have simplified the process by creating an in-depth guide titled "selling to the government guide."

This guide will help you learn where you can find opportunities to sell to the Australian government, understand the processing rules and the steps you will have to take if you are awarded a contract. To find this guide, go to the AusTender website, tap the bar, and select selling to the government.

Does the Government Have to Follow Any Rules When Selecting a Supplier?
Yes, the Australian government must follow certain rules. These procurement rules are outlined in the Public Governance Performance and Accountability Act of 2013 (PGPA Act). Some procurement rules have been modified and updated in the PGPA Act of 2014 and the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPR). Together, the PGPA rules, the PGPA Act and the CPR provide complete instructions to officials who are responsible for undertaking procurements.

What Is in the Commonwealth Procurement Rules?
There are two divisions in the Commonwealth procurement rules where the first section contains the rules that apply to all procurement and the second section contains the rules that apply to procurements valued above $80,000.

The core of section 1 focuses on the manner in which organisations must conduct the procurement, including:

o Encouraging competition in a non-discriminatory manner.
o Encouraging the utilisation of public resources in an ethical, economical, effective and efficient manner.
o Promoting transparency and accountability.
o Appropriately managing and mitigating procurement risks.
o Conducting methods that are equivalent to the value of the procurement.

As mentioned above, section 2 focuses on all procurements valued above $80,000 and are conducted only through open tenders unless they are specific exemptions that limit the tender's bidding. The specifications can be downloaded from the Commonwealth Procurement Rules department of finance website.



What Is Value for Money?
When we consider all the relevant financial and non-financial costs, it is defined as value for money for a tender, and it includes the benefits of each response, but it is not limited to:

o The quality of services and goods.
o The relevant experience and performance history of the potential supplier.
o Fitness for the purpose and function of the proposal.
o Life-cycle cost.
o Rigidity or flexibility of the proposal, including how innovation and adaptability will change across the life-cycle of the requirement.
o Environmental sustainability, including energy efficiency, environmental impacts and resource management of the proposed goods and services.

Even if the quality of services and goods is proven by acquiring an ISO 9001 certification, it is not defined as value for money.

Is there any payment involved in getting selected for a government contract?
There is no need to pay any fine to necessitate selection. The only requirement by the Australian government officials is that the services should be provided in an ethical, accountable and transparent manner. Getting favours or accepting gifts from potential suppliers is frowned upon and is against the protocols that promote procurement activities. Likewise, any attempt to pursue government officials can be interpreted as improperly influencing purchasing decisions that can lead to your disqualification from the tendering process.

How Will My Response Be Assessed?
Your response will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria in PGPA rules, the PGPA Act and the Commonwealth Procurement Rules.



Apply for Australian Government Tenders with Edara System
In this article we have discussed the answer to how to apply for government tenders. The Australian government's official website, AusTender, publishes many notices of successful opportunities, standing office and government tenders valued at or above $10,000. If you have any questions about applying for Australian tenders, Edara System can help you.

Edara Systems help you obtain industry certifications and accreditations for your business, eliminate site and office paperwork, digitise your forms and documents, manage your OHS, and write tenders and bids for you to win jobs and projects with government, council, and tier 1 contractors. All you need to do is visit edarasystems.com and contact their professional consultants or you can also call +61 2 8091 5777.