Government Architect's Prequalification Scheme

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Date: 26 Aug 2014 - 30 Aug 2029
Updated: 7 Oct 2026
Managed: Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Contact owner
Type: Whole of government
Scheme Number: SCM0801
Scope
The scheme offers a pool of prequalified service providers. The service providers have been selected to help NSW Government agencies, and statutory corporations, engage external expertise that supports design quality and innovation in the built environment.

What's covered

  • Architecture
  • Urban design
  • Landscape architecture
  • Emerging practices
  • Aboriginal cultural engagement and advice

View the Categories and Capabilities Descriptions (PDF, 525 KB).

Better Placed policy (PDF, 2.6 MB) will be used in the assessment and evaluation. Connecting with Country Framework (PDF, 6.4 MB) will be used in assessment and evaluation for Aboriginal engagement and advice.

What you need to know

Benefits of the scheme

  • A streamlined approach, for both buyers and suppliers, that meets the requirements of the gateway review system
  • Consultancy categories structured for compliance with the Procurement Policy Framework
  • Expert assessment and evaluation of suppliers, in addition to the usual scheme probity standards
  • Access to buyer advice and design expertise from Government Architect NSW (GANSW) throughout each engagement.

The scheme also aims to develop and broaden industry capability through nurturing and supporting small and medium enterprises (SME) and emerging businesses.

A specific category has also been developed to encourage emerging design practices to seek qualification.

Policy alignment

The scheme has been developed to align with NSW Government policy.

This includes supporting diversity of suppliers, streamlining procurement processes and connecting quality suppliers with government projects.

Relevant policies include:

Who to contact

This whole-of-government scheme is managed by GANSW.

For more information or advice on the scheme, and procurement planning support, email GAprequalscheme@planning.nsw.gov.au

For help navigating the Supplier Hub or Opportunities Hub portals, email nswbuy@treasury.nsw.gov.au

Approved suppliers

To find the right suppliers for your needs, you can search the scheme supplier list.

If you’re logged in with your buyer account, you'll have full access to a supplier’s profile.

If you don't have a buyer account, follow the Supplier Hub signup instructions to create an account.

Who's eligible to buy

The scheme is available to all government agencies. Local government authorities can also use the scheme.

Buyer considerations

The number of quotes to seek depends on the project value:

  • Projects valued at less than or equal to $250,000 (including GST): invite at least one written quote
  • Projects valued at more than $250,000 (including GST): invite at least of 3 quotes

When using the scheme, you don't need to run an open tender.

The Infrastructure Advisory Standard Commercial Framework is optional guidance for NSW Government agencies awarding contracts under this scheme; suppliers and buyers are not required to use it.

For more information, see PBD-2022-02 Engagement of infrastructure advisory services suppliers.

Tools and templates

Performance evaluation

We value feedback on supplier performance. You can provide feedback at any time, as well as following each engagement.

Access the feedback form for agencies PDF, 501.14 KB.

The scheme is always open for applications and reviews are conducted on a demand basis. As a minimum, reviews will take place twice a year.

Applications that meet all requirements set out in the scheme conditions are evaluated by an assessment panel. The panel, chaired by the Government Architect, determines eligibility for participation in the scheme.

What you need to know

  • Applications submitted by email won’t be accepted.
  • Prequalification isn't a guarantee of work.
  • Information submitted with an application will be treated as confidential, unless otherwise required by law.
  • Prequalification under another NSW Government scheme doesn’t automatically make you eligible for SCM0801. You must apply separately and meet this scheme’s requirements.
  • The scheme is also open to suppliers who haven’t done government work before. However, project examples should represent an ability to do work in a complex government context.

Benefits of the scheme for suppliers

  • Reduced red tape and the cost associated with doing business with government
  • Scheme conditions are aligned with the Security of Payments Act
  • Simple standard contracts
  • The scheme allows buyers to seek only one quote for engagements up to $250,000 (including GST)

Select categories and capabilities relevant to your application

When applying, refer to the scheme’s capabilities and key skills outlined in Categories and Capabilities Descriptions PDF, 525 KB.

You can nominate for multiple capabilities within your application, as long as you can meet the evaluation criteria for each.

Details of all capabilities you can nominate.

Choosing project examples

Applicants must demonstrate that they have the qualifications or experience to complete work within any capability area, as a stand-alone project.

For detailed requirements, refer to the:

Considerations

  • Select examples that show diverse experience and demonstrate your ability to work in a complex government context, such as projects involving challenging sites, multiple stakeholders, large scale or overall complexity.
  • Use completed projects, except when applying for the Emerging Practice capability.
  • For capabilities other than Emerging Practice, include projects completed by the applicant firm.
  • For Emerging Practice, you can include projects completed while employed by another practice but explain your role in delivering each project.
  • You can reuse a project for more than one capability if it demonstrates the relevant capabilities; tailor the description to the requirements of each capability.
  • Provide a separate client reference for each capability, preferably linked to the relevant project example.
  • References must be from the applicant firm’s clients, except for Emerging Practice, where a reference can relate to work completed in a previous role.
  • You can use an existing client reference if it meets the criteria and is relevant to the capability; use the scheme template as its cover page.

Manage your supplier profile

Existing suppliers should use one lead profile and their current login details for all scheme capabilities. Use a shared tender or administration email account rather than an individual employee’s email address.

You can update your supplier profile at any time:

  1. https://buy.nsw.gov.au/login with your supplier account.
  2. Select My account from the profile icon.
  3. Edit your business details and save your changes.

Keep the following information current:

  • Number of employees
  • Contact details
  • Company profile
  • Insurance expiry dates

You don’t need to routinely update project experience or referee reports, as these are used for application evaluation only.

If you want to apply for another capability, use your existing profile. Where possible, complete profile updates separately from a new capability application, as doing both at the same time can delay processing.

If your business structure or ABN changes, the business can be treated as a new entity and can need to reapply to the scheme.

How to manage scheme requests

Suppliers on the scheme can receive a request for services (RFx) from potential buyers directly or via the procurement platform of their choice.

Suppliers will be able to view requests, send intent to respond, respond to a request, ask questions, withdraw a response or decline an invitation online. Buyers will evaluate the responses they receive from selected vendors and notify suppliers accordingly.

Access training on responding to requests for quotation.

Performance evaluation

The feedback of agencies and service providers is sought on the use of the scheme.

Feedback can be provided at any time as well as following each engagement.

Download the feedback form for service providers PDF, 416.73 KB.

Download scheme rules

View the scheme conditions.