Cooperative Procurement
Cooperative procurement enables the use of a procurement contract by more than one agency. This can be achieved through either a joint approach to the market and/or where an agency/ies establish a contract or standing offer arrangement that allows other agencies access (often referred to as piggybacking).
Why
Cooperative procurement makes better use of agencies’ resources by reducing the number of administrative processes and sharing the procurement and contract management process workload. For example; efficiencies may be derived from conducting one procurement process and maintaining one contract in lieu of many.
Agencies may also be able to leverage better prices and services arrangements where they consolidate their procurement needs.
How
Agencies should identify which cooperative model best suits their needs. Information and guidance is available Buying.
Agencies may identify agencies through Annual Procurement Plans [
], GovDex [], AusTender [] and through formal and informal networking channels.
The DHS print services arrangement is an example of cooperative procurement that originated in the DHS portfolio but, sought other interested agencies input before agreeing the print services business requirements and subsequent approach to the market.
Features
- Multiagency approach to the market
- Agency piggybacking clauses
- Non-Mandatory
- Agencies initiate
Examples of Cooperative Procurement arrangements in place
| Good or Service | Overview |
|---|---|
| P3M3 | Optional |
| Accounting and related Professional Services | Contracts templates for inclusion in approach to market. |
| Actuarial Services Panel | Optional |
| APSC Capability and Development Panel | Optional Access is open to FMA and CAC. [ ] |
Print Services |
Optional |
| ICT Contracts (Source IT) | Optional |
Contact for information on this page: coordinatedcontracts@finance.gov.au