Australian Government Tendering Glossary
Comprehensive glossary of Australian government tendering and procurement terms. Learn what RFT, EOI, RFQ, and other procurement terms mean.
A
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Policy IPP
An Australian Government policy that sets mandatory targets for Commonwealth agencies to contract with Indigenous businesses, supporting economic development in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Procurement ProcessAusTender
The Australian Government's central procurement information system, managed by the Department of Finance, where Commonwealth agencies publish tender opportunities, contract awards, and other procurement notices.
Procurement PortalsB
Best and Final Offer BAFO
A stage in a multi-phase procurement process where shortlisted tenderers are invited to submit their most competitive revised offer, typically after clarification discussions with the procuring agency.
Procurement ProcessBuying for Victoria
The Victorian Government's central procurement portal where state government departments and agencies publish tender opportunities, contract awards, and supplier registration information.
Procurement PortalsC
Capability Statement
A concise marketing document that summarises a business's experience, qualifications, resources, and capacity to deliver, used to introduce the business to government buyers and support tender submissions.
Documents And ComplianceCommonwealth Procurement Rules CPRs
The mandatory rules governing how Australian Commonwealth Government entities must conduct procurement, establishing principles of value for money, competition, transparency, and accountability.
Procurement ProcessConditions of Contract
The legal terms and clauses included in a government tender that define the rights, obligations, and liabilities of both the agency and the successful supplier once a contract is formed.
Documents And ComplianceConflict of Interest COI
A situation where a person involved in a procurement process has a personal, financial, or professional interest that could, or could appear to, improperly influence their decisions or actions.
Documents And ComplianceContract Variation
A formal amendment to an existing government contract that changes one or more of its terms, such as scope, price, timeframe, or deliverables, agreed by both the agency and the supplier.
Contract TypesD
Deed of Agreement
A formal legal instrument used in Australian government procurement that creates binding obligations between the agency and supplier, distinguished from a simple contract by its execution requirements and enforceability characteristics.
Contract TypesDeed of Standing Offer DSO
A formal legal agreement that establishes the terms under which a supplier offers to provide goods or services to a government agency on an ongoing, as-needed basis over a defined period.
Documents And ComplianceDue Diligence
The process of investigating and verifying a tenderer's claims, financial standing, capability, and suitability before awarding a government contract, conducted by the procuring agency.
Procurement ProcessE
Evaluation Criteria
The specific factors, weightings, and standards that a government agency uses to assess and compare tender responses in order to determine which supplier offers the best value for money.
Procurement ProcessExpression of Interest EOI
A preliminary market approach where a government agency invites suppliers to indicate their interest and capability before deciding which suppliers to invite to a subsequent formal tender process.
Tender TypesF
Fixed Price Contract
A contract where the supplier agrees to deliver the specified goods, services, or works for a set price that does not change regardless of the actual costs incurred during delivery.
Contract TypesFramework Agreement
A pre-established arrangement between a government agency and one or more suppliers that sets the terms and conditions for future procurement, without committing to specific quantities or timing.
Contract TypesI
ICN Gateway ICN
The Industry Capability Network's online platform that connects Australian and New Zealand suppliers with project and procurement opportunities, particularly for large infrastructure and resources projects.
Procurement PortalsInsurance Requirements
The mandatory insurance policies and minimum coverage levels that tenderers must hold to be eligible for a government contract, typically including public liability, professional indemnity, and workers' compensation.
Documents And ComplianceL
Limited Tender
A procurement method where a government agency approaches one or a small number of suppliers directly, without public advertising or broader competition, permitted only in specific defined circumstances.
Procurement ProcessLiquidated Damages
Pre-agreed financial amounts specified in a contract that a supplier must pay to the procuring agency for each day or instance of delay or non-performance, representing a genuine pre-estimate of loss.
Contract TypesLocal Content Requirements
Government procurement policies that encourage or require tenderers to use local suppliers, workers, materials, or services, supporting Australian industry and regional economic development.
Documents And ComplianceN
Non-Conforming Tender
A tender submission that fails to meet one or more mandatory requirements specified in the tender documentation, which may result in the bid being excluded from evaluation.
Procurement ProcessNovation
The legal process of transferring all rights and obligations under a government contract from one supplier to another, requiring the consent of the procuring agency and effectively substituting a new party into the existing contract.
Contract TypesO
Official Order
A formal document issued by a government agency to a supplier authorising the supply of goods or services, creating a legally binding agreement and committing the agency to pay upon satisfactory delivery.
Documents And ComplianceOpen Tender
A procurement method where the opportunity is publicly advertised and any interested supplier can submit a response, ensuring maximum competition and transparency.
Procurement ProcessP
Panel Arrangement
A pre-approved list of suppliers who have been assessed as capable of providing particular goods or services, from which government agencies can procure without running a full open tender each time.
Tender TypesPanel Contract
A contract awarded to a supplier who has been appointed to a government panel, governing the terms under which work orders or assignments will be issued and delivered throughout the panel period.
Contract TypesPerformance Bond
A financial guarantee, typically provided by a bank or insurer, that assures a government agency the contracted supplier will fulfil their obligations, with the bond amount payable if the supplier defaults.
Documents And CompliancePeriod Contract
A contract for the provision of goods or services over a defined period of time, typically with agreed rates or pricing, where the exact volume of work is not predetermined.
Contract TypesPrequalification
A process where suppliers are assessed and approved against defined standards before being eligible to tender for specific categories of government work.
Procurement ProcessProbity
The ethical standards, fairness, and transparency requirements that government agencies must uphold throughout the procurement process to ensure all suppliers are treated equally and decisions are defensible.
Documents And ComplianceR
Request for Information RFI
A non-binding market engagement where a government agency gathers information from suppliers about available solutions, capabilities, or pricing to help shape a future procurement strategy.
Tender TypesRequest for Proposal RFP
An invitation for suppliers to propose a solution to a problem or need, where the agency defines the outcome it wants but allows respondents flexibility in how they deliver it.
Tender TypesRequest for Quotation RFQ
A simplified procurement process used for lower-value or straightforward purchases where the agency requests pricing from one or more suppliers for clearly specified goods or services.
Tender TypesRequest for Tender RFT
A formal invitation from a government agency for suppliers to submit a detailed bid to deliver specific goods, services, or works against clearly defined requirements and evaluation criteria.
Tender TypesReturnable Schedules
Standardised forms and templates included in tender documentation that tenderers must complete and return as part of their submission, covering areas such as pricing, capability, compliance, and referees.
Documents And ComplianceS
Schedule of Rates SOR
A priced list of individual items, tasks, or activities that forms the basis for calculating payments under a government contract, where the total cost depends on the actual quantities consumed or hours worked.
Documents And ComplianceScope of Works SOW
A detailed document within a tender package that describes the specific tasks, deliverables, standards, and boundaries of the work to be performed under the contract.
Documents And ComplianceSelect Tender
A procurement method where the government agency selects and invites a limited number of suppliers to submit responses, rather than advertising the opportunity publicly.
Procurement ProcessStanding Offer Arrangement SOA
A pre-established agreement between a government agency and one or more suppliers that sets the terms and conditions for purchasing goods or services on an as-needed basis over a defined period.
Tender TypesStatement of Requirements SOR
The section of a tender document that details exactly what goods, services, or works the government agency needs, including specifications, deliverables, timelines, and performance standards.
Documents And ComplianceSubcontracting
The practice where a supplier who has been awarded a government contract engages another business to deliver part of the contracted work, while remaining responsible to the government agency for the overall delivery.
Contract TypesSupplier Panels
Pre-approved lists of suppliers that have been assessed as capable of delivering specific categories of goods or services, from which government agencies can directly engage suppliers without running a new open tender.
Procurement ProcessW
Weighted Criteria Assessment
An evaluation methodology used in government procurement where each assessment criterion is assigned a percentage weighting reflecting its relative importance, and tender responses are scored against each weighted criterion to determine the best overall submission.
Procurement ProcessWhole of Government WoG
A coordinated procurement approach where a central agency establishes contracts or arrangements that multiple government departments and agencies can access, achieving volume discounts and administrative efficiency.
Procurement ProcessWork Health and Safety Requirements WHS
The mandatory safety obligations, policies, and compliance standards that suppliers must demonstrate when tendering for and performing government contracts, governed by the harmonised Work Health and Safety Act across most Australian jurisdictions.
Documents And Compliance