Procurement
Procurement covers everything Council does before and around a purchase: working out what is needed, defining the scope, testing the market, evaluating offers, awarding the contract and managing the supplier until the job is done. Purchasing is the transaction at the end: the requisition, the purchase order and payment of the invoice.
Council buys the goods, works and services the community relies on, from roads and footpaths to community facilities, parks and trees, plant and heavy vehicles, office equipment, professional services and utilities.
For current opportunities and how to lodge a submission, see Tenders, Quotations and Expressions of Interest.
The rules we work to
How we buy
Below the tender threshold, Council asks for verbal or written quotes. The number of quotes depends on the estimated value and risk of the purchase.
For a contract of $250,000 or more, Council must invite public tenders under section 55 of the Local Government Act 1993, unless an exception in section 55(3) applies. Buying through a panel Council can access, such as a Local Government Procurement panel, is one of those exceptions. For a contract for services that Council employees are providing when the contract is entered into, the tender threshold is $150,000.
Thresholds include GST. They apply to the total estimated value of the contract, including any option periods and Council's cumulative spend with a supplier on similar goods or services.
What we consider
Council assesses each purchase on value for money over the whole life of the goods, works or services. That covers quality and performance, risk, ethical and fair dealing, environmental and social sustainability, and benefit to the local economy.
Purchase orders
Before you supply goods or start work, make sure you have a Council purchase order number, and quote it on your delivery docket and invoice. Council's Purchase Order Terms and Conditions apply to every purchase order unless you have a separate signed contract with Council.
Business ethics
Suppliers must comply with Council's Statement of Business Ethics(PDF, 824KB). While a quotation, tender or expression of interest is open, send all enquiries in writing to the contact officer named in the documents. If you approach Councillors or other Council staff about a live process, Council may exclude your submission.
Do not offer gifts, benefits or hospitality to Councillors or Council staff.
Ethical sourcing and modern slavery
Council must take reasonable steps to make sure the goods and services it buys are not the product of modern slavery, and reports on those steps in its annual report.
When Council onboards a supplier, the supplier acknowledges the modern slavery requirements in clause 6.5 of the Procurement Policy 2025. If the supplier publishes a modern slavery statement under the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), Council asks for a copy. For goods and services with a higher risk of modern slavery, Council may ask more about the supplier's supply chain.
Contract disclosure
Council publishes contracts with private sector businesses valued at $150,000 or more (including GST) on its contracts register, as section 27 of the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 requires.
Local suppliers, contractors and tradespeople
Council supports local suppliers where this does not conflict with probity or value for money. Council keeps an Approved Trades and Professional Services Register, and staff use it to find businesses to invite to quote.
To join, complete the relevant form and email it to procurement@uralla.nsw.gov.au with your certificates of currency and trade licences: