Tenders, quotations and expressions of interest
This page explains how Council goes to market and how you can find and respond to current opportunities. For Council's procurement rules and supplier registers, see Procurement.
Where we advertise
Council advertises open tenders and expressions of interest on this website, on TenderLink and on Council's social media pages, and may also list them on the Public Notices page. An open tender stays open for at least 21 days.
For most purchases below the tender threshold, Council invites quotes directly from suppliers through VendorPanel or by email. Council advertises some requests for quotation publicly.
Recent Tenders Advertised by Council
Registering and lodging a submission
Council runs its tenders and quotations through TenderLink and VendorPanel. You download the documents, ask questions and lodge your submission on the platform. Council does not charge you to respond.
While a tender or quotation is open:
- Ask questions through the platform's online forum. Council answers there and issues any change to the documents as an addendum to every registered participant.
- Each set of documents names a contact officer. That officer is your only point of contact for the process.
- Lodge your submission on the platform by the closing date and time. Council does not accept late submissions.
- Council opens submissions only after the closing time.
Panel arrangements
Council also buys through established panels, including Local Government Procurement (LGP) and Regional Procurement panels. Council accesses LGP panels through VendorPanel. A panel appointment does not guarantee work with Council, and Council still tests value for money before using a panel supplier.
How we assess submissions
Council assesses submissions against the criteria published in the documents. An evaluation panel does the assessment, and each evaluator declares any conflict of interest before reading the submissions.
Council does not have to accept the lowest or any submission. Where the documents allow it, Council may accept part of a submission or split the work between suppliers.
Probity
If you approach Councillors or Council staff about a live tender, quotation or expression of interest outside the nominated process, Council may exclude your submission. Suppliers must comply with Council's Statement of Business Ethics.
After the outcome
Council notifies successful and unsuccessful suppliers in writing. If your submission is unsuccessful, you can ask for a debrief.
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.
More information
Section 55 of the Local Government Act 1993 sets out when a council must invite tenders. Part 7 of the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 sets out how a council runs a tender, covering open and selective tendering, tender documents, closing dates and extensions, opening and considering tenders, accepting a tender and notifying tenderers.
Read the Local Government Act 1993 and the Local Government (General) Regulation 2021 on the NSW legislation website.