Performance assessment against Commonwealth Procurement Rules

ABS procurement and contracting activities are undertaken in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules. These rules are applied consistently to procurement activities through the Accountable Authority Instructions, supporting operational guidelines and procurement framework.

Information on procurements expected to be undertaken are advertised in an annual procurement plan, available from the AusTender website www.tenders.gov.au.

This plan is reviewed and updated throughout the year.

No contracts with the value of $100,000 or greater (inclusive of GST) were let during 2017–18 that did not provide for the Auditor-General to have access to the contractor’s premises.

Initiatives to support small business
The ABS supports small business participation in the Australian Government procurement market. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Small Enterprise participation statistics are available on the Department of Finance website www.finance.gov.au/procurement/statistics-on-commonwealth-purchasing-contracts/.

ABS procurement practices support SMEs by adopting whole-of-government solutions to simplify interactions. This includes using the Commonwealth Contracting Suite for low risk procurements valued under $200,000.

The ABS recognises the importance of ensuring that small businesses are paid on time. The results of the Survey of Australian Government Payments to Small Business are available on the Department of the Treasury website www.treasury.gov.au/?s=payments+to+small+business.

Consultancies

Consultancies

The ABS engages consultants when it requires specialist expertise or when independent research, review or assessment is required. Decisions to engage consultants during 2017–18 were made in accordance with the PGPA Act and related regulations, including the Commonwealth Procurement Rules and relevant internal policy.

Table 5.3 Consultancy contracts from 2015–16 to 2017–18

Consultancy summary statement

There were three major drivers of the ABS’s increase in consultancy services in 2017–18. Firstly, the ABS’s Statistical Business Transformation Program (SBTP) – the nature and stage of this project have necessitated that the ABS work closely with the ICT industry and other stakeholders, utilising both consultants and contractors, to deliver the transformation program and provide independent assurance services to the program. The second relates to consultancy services required to deliver the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey (AMLPS), including risk management, independent assurance and the development of marketing/campaign advertising. The third being the establishment of the 2021 Census Work Program and related consultancy services such as independent assurance and assistance with the initiation of a Program Management Office.

Consultancy contracts summary

During 2017–18, 48 new consultancy contracts were entered into at a value of $10.8 million. In addition, 22 ongoing consultancy contracts will remain active after the 2017–18 year, involving total contract value of $10.59 million (Table 5.3).

Consultancy AusTender reference

“Annual reports contain information about actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website.”

Contracting

Contracts exempt from Publishing on AusTender

Exempt contracts
During the 2017–18 financial year the ABS did not exempt any contracts or standing offers from publication on AusTender on the basis that they would disclose exempt information under the Freedom of Information Act 1982

Small and medium enterprise

Certification of support for SME participation

The ABS supports small business participation in the Australian Government procurement market. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Small Enterprise participation statistics are available on the Department of Finance website www.finance.gov.au/procurement/statistics-on-commonwealth-purchasing-contracts/.

Outline of SME procurement practices

ABS procurement practices support SMEs by adopting whole-of-government solutions to simplify interactions. This includes using the Commonwealth Contracting Suite for low risk procurements valued under $200,000.

Results of Pay on time survey

The ABS recognises the importance of ensuring that small businesses are paid on
time. The results of the Survey of Australian Government Payments to Small Business
are available on the Department of the Treasury website www.treasury.gov.au/?s=payments+to+small+business.