Consultants in Construction up to $9 Million Scheme

What's covered

View scheme categories and descriptions in the scheme rules tab.

What's not covered

Services not included are specified in section 2 of the SCM1191 Scheme Conditions DOCX, 303.6 KB.

Do not use this scheme for procurements valued over $9 million. In this case, you must use the Consultants in Construction above $9 Million Procurement List (SCM10611). You must also refer to the enforceable procurement provisions.

What you need to know

Procurement value determines which arrangement you use

NSW Government has 2 procurement arrangements for construction-related consulting services:

• this scheme (SCM1191) for procurements valued under $9 million (excluding GST), and
• the procurement list (SCM10611) for procurements over $9 million (excluding GST)

The arrangements ensure NSW Government agencies comply with Australia's obligations under international procurement agreements.

Read more about enforceable procurement provisions.

The scheme has 2 financial ranges for supplier's prequalification

• Registered consultants for engagements up to $250,000 (excluding GST)
• Certified consultants for engagements above $250,000 and below $9 million (excluding GST)

Note that prequalification of a consultant does not extend to related, associated or subsidiary businesses.

Procurement Board Direction PBD 2022-02 Engagement of infrastructure advisory services suppliers applies to all work categories in this scheme, with the exception of consulting arborists. It recommends the Infrastructure Advisory Standard Commercial Framework to be used by agencies as guidance when engaging prequalified suppliers on the scheme.

Who to contact

If you have any questions on the scheme, you can contact the NSW Procurement Service Centre on 1800 679 289 or nswbuy@treasury.nsw.gov.au

The Service Centre can escalate your enquiry to the scheme manager at NSW Public Works. Or, you can contact them directly at consultant.prequal@pwa.nsw.gov.au

Prequalified suppliers

Buyers registered on Supplier Hub have full access to prequalified supplier lists.

If you don’t have a buyer account, you can sign up on Supplier Hub.

Who's eligible to buy

All NSW Government agencies are eligible

The scheme is a whole-of-government procurement arrangement. This means all NSW Government agencies can use it when buying construction-related consultancy services.

Non-agency buyers may also be eligible

The scheme is also available to:

• state-owned corporations
• public institutions, such as universities
• NSW local government councils.

How to buy: step by step

This page has a high-level overview of how to buy from the scheme. For detailed information, you can view the agency guidelines DOCX, 1161.54 KB.

Step 1. Understand the guidelines

Different rules apply to different procurements depending on a number of factors. Before you buy from the scheme you should understand:

• agency's guidelines DOCX, 1161.54 KB
• the enforceable procurement provisions
• the scheme conditions DOCX, 303.6 KB
• the buyer and supplier obligations in PBD 2022-02 Engagement of infrastructure advisory services suppliers.

The Construction Procurement Assurance program applies to NSW Government agencies and public sector entities that aren't accredited for construction procurement and are seeking engagements above $1.3 million (excluding GST). Read more about construction accreditation.

Step 2. Find prequalified suppliers

The value of your procurement determines which supplier list to use:

• registered consultants for engagements up to $250,000 (excluding GST)
• certified consultants for engagements over $250,000 but below $9 million (excluding GST).

Note that prequalification of a consultant does not extend to related, associated or subsidiary businesses.

When selecting suppliers, consider their:

• nominated work category
• relevant experience
• financial capacity to undertake the proposed work
• availability and capacity for undertaking the proposed work.

Step 3. Invite tender submissions

You can invite a limited number of suppliers to tender. Inviting all eligible suppliers to participate in every procurement can be inefficient for both your agency and also the suppliers.

We recommend at a minimum:

• one quote for procurements up to $50,000 (excluding GST)
• 3 quotes for procurements $50,000 and above.

For more information about the competition threshold, refer to agency guidelines DOCX, 1161.54 KB.

You must include the engagement pricing schedule tool XLSX, 100.26 KB in the tender documents.

Step 4: Evaluate tender submissions and award the contract

When evaluating tender responses, make sure you address the key principle of value for money.

When evaluating pricing, you can use the Infrastructure Advisory Standard Commercial Framework as guidance. The framework is commercial-in-confidence. Agency buyers can log in and download it from their buyer dashboard.

There are also other contract templates tailored for construction-related consultancy services. You can view them on the construction category page.

Who can apply

Any organisation that has an ABN and meets the scheme conditions can apply to join the scheme.

You can check if you're company is eligible with the eligibility checklist (section 2 of the applicant guidelines PDF, 1346.28 KB).

How to apply: step by step

You can read detailed information on how to apply to join the scheme in the applicant guidelines PDF, 1346.28 KB.

Or, view a high-level summary below.

Step 1. Assess your eligibility

Assess your eligibility to supply by using the self-assessment tool in the applicant guidelines PDF, 1346.28 KB.

Step 2. Understand the rules and conditions

Prequalified suppliers on the scheme must meet legal, commercial, technical and financial standards to deliver for construction-related consulting services.

Familiarise yourself with the scheme conditions DOCX, 303.6 KB which set out the terms and conditions for the participating and selling under the scheme.

Step 3. Apply for prequalification

First, sign up as a supplier. Once you do, you can submit an application to join the scheme.

We’ll email you to notify of the outcome of your application.

View the guidelines for applicants PDF, 1346.28 KB.

Please note: Prequalification of a consultant does not extend to its related, associated or subsidiary business entities owned or controlled by the consultant or its joint ventures to which the consultant is a party.

How to supply

You may receive tender invitations (such as requests for proposals or requests for quotes) once you're prequalified for the scheme.

Government buyers use company profile, nominated work category and relevant experience to select which suppliers to invite to tender.

You can also check an agency's annual procurement plan for upcoming opportunities.

Each government agency has their own procurement rules and guidelines. The tender process will be clearly laid out on the tender documents.

Download scheme rules

View the scheme conditions DOCX, 303.6 KB