Tendering and Purchasing


Tendering and Purchasing Information

All open DPS business opportunities are available via Austender.

From time to time the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) will also advertise details of tenders/expression of interest in the press for contracts within the Department.

Information for Suppliers

The Commonwealth Department of Finance and Deregulation has developed a publication entitled Selling to the Australian Government: A guide for business. The publication can be downloaded from its website at http://www.finance.gov.au/procurement/

DPS uses the Commonwealth General Purchase Order Conditions (GPOC) as its standard conditions of purchase.

Information for Contractors

Working at Australian Parliament House (APH) comes with unique responsibilities. All contractors must follow strict security, safety, and design and cultural requirements to ensure the building remains safe, functional, and preserved for future generations.

For quick access to forms, permits, and induction details, contact your DPS Contract Manager.

Australian Parliament House Site Book

The Australian Parliament House Site Book (Site Book) (PDF) is the primary reference for anyone working within the Parliamentary precinct. The Site Book is maintained by DPS’ Building Information Section. It clarifies the following:

  • How to access the site and comply with security requirements.
  • Standards for conduct, behaviour, and confidentiality.
  • Safety rules, emergency procedures, and incident reporting.
  • Permit systems for high-risk work and restricted areas.
  • How to protect APH’s architectural features, artworks, and furniture.

DPS Standard for Project Documentation

Accurate and consistent documentation for capital works and maintenance projects is critical for maintaining APH’s technical records. The DPS Standard for Project Documentation series is maintained by DPS’ Building Information Section. The DPS Standard for Project Documentation series provide templates and guidelines for:

  • Drawings and drafting standards.
  • Operation and maintenance manuals.
  • As Constructed information and technical data.

DPS Standard for Project Documentation

Operation and Maintenance Manuals Template and Guidelines (for External Contractors) (PDF, 400 KB)

DPS Drafting Standard (for External Contractors) (PDF, 698 KB)

Associated Forms

DPS Operation and Maintenance Manual Template (PDF, 553 KB)

As Constructed Document Checklist (Word, 446 KB)

Contact Information (Word, 440 KB)

Project Data Furniture (Word, 442 KB)

Table of Figures and Drawing Schedule (Word, 442 KB)

Training Record (Word, 439 KB)

Equipment Registration Form (Excel, 461 KB)

Equipment Registration Form - Guidance Notes (Word, 462 KB)

Plant and Equipment Identifiers List (Excel, 24 KB)

Procurement complaints

DPS takes complaints seriously. If we receive a procurement complaint, we are committed to managing it efficiently, fairly and with due consideration to our obligations under the Public Government, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs).

Complaints will not prejudice a supplier’s (or potential supplier’s) participation in any future DPS procurement process.

If you have a concern about the conduct or evaluation of a tender process, your first recourse is to request a debrief from the procurement Contact Officer.  All tenderers are entitled to request feedback on their tender process submission. The primary purpose of a debrief is to help tenderers understand how your tender was evaluated, the strengths of your submission, areas of improvement and why your submission was unsuccessful. Tenderer debriefing is an important process to assist in building your competitive capabilities.

If you are unsatisfied with the outcome of the debriefing process or your concern was not resolved, you may choose to raise a procurement complaint with DPS.

There are two types of procurement complaints:

  • A complaint under section 18 of the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 (the GPJR Act) (a GPJR Act complaint).
  • A complaint regarding something that DPS proposes to do, or has done, during a procurement process, that may not satisfy the requirements for a GPJR Act complaint (a general complaint).

When making a procurement complaint please submit the relevant details via dpstenders@aph.gov.au

General Procurement Complaints

A general procurement complaint can be made about any aspect of a DPS procurement process. These are separate from complaints made under the GPJR Act or through the Commonwealth’s Procurement Coordinator.

When making a general procurement complaint, please provide the following details via dpstenders@aph.gov.au: 

  • your name, business name, address and telephone contact details
  • details of the tender your complaint relates to
  • a statement that this is a general procurement complaint
  • a factual and concise outline of your complaint
  • copies of any documents relating to your complaint.

Complaints in relation to the Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 

The Government Procurement (Judicial Review) Act 2018 (GPJR Act) establishes an independent complaint mechanism for government procurement processes that meet specific criteria. Not all procurements will meet the criteria of the GPJR Act.  A GPJR Act complaint can only be submitted for a covered procurement.

A covered procurement is a procurement that:

  • is valued at more than $80,000 (non-construction procurements)
  • is not exempt from Division 2 of the CPRs in accordance with Appendix A to the CPRs.

When making a GPJR Act procurement complaint, please provide the following details via dpstenders@aph.gov.au:

  • your name, business name, email and telephone contact details
  • a statement that this is a GPJR Act procurement complaint
  • details of the tender your complaint relates to
  • details of the Commonwealth Procurement Rule(s) you believe to be contravened and why
  • a factual and concise outline of your complaint
  • copies of any documents relating to your complaint.
 
DPS must suspend procurements during the investigation of a complaint, unless a Public Interest Certificate (PIC) is in place. DPS will advise you if a PIC has been issued for a particular procurement. If suppliers affected by a suspension can be identified, DPS will also advise them that the procurement has been suspended.

How will your complaint be handled?

Following receipt of any procurement complaint, DPS will determine if the complaint is a general complaint or a GPJR Act complaint. If additional information is required to make this determination, we will contact you to obtain the information.

If you lodge a complaint through the dpstenders@aph.gov.au you can expect the following from DPS:

  • You will receive immediate confirmation of receipt.
  • You will receive written acknowledgement, including a unique identifier and information on the proposed review action. 
  • Your complaint will be reviewed by someone who is independent of the procurement to which your complaint relates (where appropriate, this may include an external review).
  • You will receive the outcome of the review and any decisions in writing. This will include details of the assessment and conclusions. If applicable, the outcome will also offer a solution.
  • The outcome will ask you to confirm if you consider the complaint resolved or if you wish to withdraw your complaint, given the finding.
  • You will receive information on further courses of action available if you do not consider the matter resolved or if you are unsatisfied with the outcome.

Please note: Where the procurement has been completed (that is, a contract(s) has been awarded), it is not possible to change the procurement decision. Awarding a contract to another party is not feasible.

Procurement complaints take time to review. It is not always possible to provide a timeframe for the resolution of a complaint. Please be assured that DPS will make every effort to provide an outcome expeditiously and, where appropriate, will provide updates as the process progresses. To request an update on the status of your complaint, please email dpstenders@aph.gov.au

How to get a decision reviewed

If you are not satisfied with our response after DPS has investigated your complaint, you can seek a review by the Commonwealth’s Procurement Coordinator.

You can read more about the Procurement Coordinator’s role in handling complaints and lodging a Procurement Coordinator complaint on the Department of Finance website.

Making a Public Interest Disclosure

Public officials who suspect wrongdoing within the Commonwealth public sector can raise their concerns under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2013. 
Conduct, which may be the subject of a public interest disclosure, includes, but is not limited to:
  • a contravention of the law
  • corruption
  • perverting the course of justice
  • maladministration
  • an abuse of public trust
  • falsifying scientific research
  • wastage of public money
  • a danger to health, safety or the environment.
For more information please email dps.pid@aph.gov.au 

Commonwealth Ombudsman

The Commonwealth Ombudsman considers and investigates complaints about the administrative actions of Commonwealth entities. The Ombudsman seeks to resolve disputes through consultation and negotiation.

The Ombudsman can suggest or recommend a particular course of action but cannot override a decision made by DPS. The Ombudsman will report its findings to the supplier and to DPS (including a recommendation that a decision be reversed, if appropriate) and may report to Parliament.

If a supplier is not satisfied with a final decision made by DPS, you can raise it with the Commonwealth Ombudsman. 

For more information, please visit the Commonwealth Ombudsman website.