The Northern Territory Government (NTG) has announced further changes to strengthen the Buy Local policy.
The Buy Local plan consists of a suite of measures designed to improve the way that local benefits are identified, evaluated and realised at all stages of the procurement lifecycle.
Engineers Australia, Northern General Manager Mark Monaghan said that the principles underlying the Buy Local reforms are in line with Engineers Australia’s long-term goals for the Territory.
“A key platform of Engineers Australia, Northern is to build the Territory’s engineering community,” Mr Monaghan said.
“As an industry, we have significant engineering knowledge that will contribute to better community outcomes.
“If we engage the very people who have the local knowledge about building in tropical and remote regions, this will ensure that projects delivered are fit for purpose in our communities, so Buy Local leads to better community results.”
The new procurement reforms include policy actions to maximise opportunities for Territory enterprises, strengthened communication with industry and investment in the capability of the public service.
These reforms include a number of key actions and initiatives, including:
- replacing the 'Value for Money' definition with a 'Value for Territory'.
- placing a cap on the maximum weighting on price in tender evaluations to 30%.
- prohibiting shortlisting on price alone.
- providing tenderers with more detailed post-tender feedback.
- requiring all major procuring agencies to provide regular industry briefing sessions.
- requiring all agencies to publish agency forward procurement plans.
- delivering public sector training and development initiatives including 'local benefit' training sessions, e-learning resources and a professional development forum for all NTG procurement professionals.
Mr Monaghan said that the benefits of the Buy Local reforms for the Territory’s engineering sector will advantage locals in the long term.
“These reforms encourage local engineering companies to further invest and hire Charles Darwin University graduates, thus growing our Territory’s economy and addressing the recent decline in population and ultimately benefitting the wider community,” he said.
“Pipelines of work and Buy Local strategies all contribute to building a stronger capacity and knowledge about engineering here in the Territory.
Image: Palmerston Regional Hospital under construction, with 100% local engagement and all contracts so far awarded to local firms. Courtesy of the NT Government.