Tenders
Note: a non-refundable fee payable on collection of tender documents may apply. Please see Document fee in table below for applicable amount.
Legal information
When tenders are required
484(1) A local government must invite tenders before making a contract for the carrying out of work, or the supply of goods and services, involving a cost of more than $100,000 or, if a greater amount is prescribed by regulation, the greater amount.
- Section 484(1) of the Local Government Act 1993 ("the Act"): Some exceptions do exist to the requirement for tenders to be invited, see sections 486 and 489 of the Act.
- 'Local government' refers to Gold Coast City Council.
The invitation to tender must be by advertisement in a newspaper circulating generally in the local government’s area; and allow at least 21 days from the day of the advertisement for the submission of tenders (subsection 484(2) of the Act).
Expressions of Interest 1 - Prior to tender and in the public interest
489(1) A local government may invite expressions of interest under this section before inviting tenders if it resolves that it is satisfied that it would be in the public interest.
- Section 489(1) of the Act.
The local government must record its reasons for making a resolution that an expression of interest should be invited in the public interest, rather than go to tender (subsection 489(2) of the Act).
Expressions of interest must be invited by advertisement in a newspaper circulating generally in the local government's area; and allow at least 21 days from the day of the advertisement for the submission of expressions (subsection 489(3) of the Act).
The local government may prepare a shortlist from the persons who responded to the expression of interest, and invite tenders from the persons on the shortlist (in this case, the invitation to tender does not need to be advertised, see subsection 489(5) of the Act).
Expressions of Interest 2 - Compiling panel of qualified service providers
487(1) A local government may compile a panel of the names of persons suitably qualified to provide a service. (2) A panel must be compiled by - (a) inviting expressions of interest from persons to be included on the panel in the way provided for inviting tenders under section 484.
- Section 487 of the Act.
Expressions of interest to compile a panel of the names of persons suitably qualified to provide a service must be invited by advertisement in a newspaper circulating generally in the local government’s area; and allow at least 21 days from the day of the advertisement for the submission of expressions (paragraph 487(2)(a) of the Act).
There is no requirement on Council to issue a tender following inviting expressions of interest to compile a panel of names of persons suitably qualified to provide a service. Once Council has selected the members of the panel, Council can contract with a member without having to comply with any tender or quotation requirements.
When are quotations required
485(1) A local government must invite written quotations before making a contract for the carrying out of work, or the supply of goods and services, involving a cost of between $10,000 and $100,000 or, if another range of amounts is prescribed by regulation, the range of amounts.
- Section 485(1) of the Act: Some exceptions do exist to the requirement for quotations to be invited, see section 486 of the Act.
The invitation must be given to at least three persons who the local government considers can meet its requirements at competitive prices.
There is no requirement for invitations to quote to be advertised.
Council may advertise an invitation to quote in order to, for example, cast a wide net to gather responses.
Further information
Queensland Local Government Tenders - www.lgtenderbox.com.au
