Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) utilises a third party online portal, VendorPanel, to manage all quotations and tender requests. Council recommends anyone interested in doing business with Council registers on the VendorPanel.
VendorPanel
VendorPanel Marketplace is an ‘open market' on line system that is free for Suppliers to register, receive notifications and submit for quotes or tenders. VendorPanel is used by hundreds of government organisations, utilities, universities and corporations across Australia. Southern Downs Regional Council’s goal is to help Council purchasing staff engage with local suppliers using this transparent and simple process.
Registering on VendorPanel Marketplace is a simple process. All you need to begin is an ABN, then simply follow the prompts to register for as many applicable categories as fit your business. (If you do not have an ABN please contact SDRC Procurement .
If you have any questions concerning VendorPanel, please contact VendorPanel or SDRC Procurement.
Quotations
Quotations are sought via VendorPanel in accordance with Council’s Procurement Policy. These quotations are released to either the VendorPanel Marketplace, one of Council’s internal Preferred Supplier or Prequalified Supplier Arrangements, or a Local Buy list.
VendorPanel Marketplace
Marketplace is used by Council to select a minimum of 3 suppliers in the relevant category to invite to quote on purchases up to the statutory threshold. The selected suppliers will receive an email notification that they have been invited to submit a quote.
Local Buy
Local Buy is a commercial entity wholly owned by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), which provides procurement services to Local Governments throughout Queensland. Local Buy has established arrangements that Council utilises similarly to a PSA or Prequalified Register.
Local Buy tenders are also released via VendorPanel, with some arrangements refreshed during the contract term.
If you are interested in becoming a Local Buy supplier , please visit the LocalBuy website or contact SDRC Procurement for more information.
Council’s Preferred Supplier and Prequalified Supplier Arrangements
Council releases tenders to establish Preferred Supplier Arrangements (PSA) and Prequalified Supplier Registers as the need arises. For business to be accepted on these lists, they must go through the official tender process to ensure that all requirements of the arrangement can be met and to ensure Council satisfies all legislative requirements. Council now has a new format whereby these lists can be refreshed approximately once a year depending on demand and interest so that new suppliers may be added.
Once on the list, suppliers may be engaged for work or asked to quote on specific jobs/purchases depending on the value and complexity of the work. Please note that acceptance on these lists does not guarantee any amount of business, but increases business visibility to Council purchasing officers.
Tendering
Southern Downs Regional Council also utilises VendorPanel for the release of tenders. Council advertises these tenders on Council’s website, on Facebook and on Linkedin. In addition, any suppliers registered for the applicable category on VendorPanel Marketplace will receive a notification when a tender is released for that category.
To access current Tender documents, suppliers must download the documents from the VendorPanel platform.
Procurement Document Links