A key focus for the VGPB is to simplify and streamline government procurement to make the Victorian Government a buyer of choice. It does this by reviewing and updating its policies, guides and templates to ensure fit-for-purpose procurement. Opportunities are identified through both consultation and ongoing feedback channels.
New and updated policies, guides and templates in 2023–24
Supporting collaboration across government
To ensure fit-for-purpose procurement following the expansion of the VGPB’s remit to approximately a further 125 agencies, the VGPB updated its market analysis and review policy and developed related guidance to facilitate collaborative procurement.
Collaborative procurement refers to multiple departments or agencies working together to improve value for money and gain administrative efficiencies for goods and services procurement. Collaborative procurement covers a range of approaches, including several agencies jointly approaching the market, an agency procuring on behalf of other agencies, and SPCs. The Collaborative Procurement policy section authorises and establishes a tailored approach for different types of collaborative procurement.
These requirements were developed in response to requests from, and in collaboration with, departments and agencies.
Buyers guide
The VGPB updated its buyers guide, published on the Buying for Victoria website, to provide step-by-step guidance for both buyers and suppliers navigating the procurement process within the VGPB framework. The guide integrates relevant policies by stage and task and supports buyers to find extra guidance specific to each procurement stage.
Decision tree tool
DGS developed an interactive and user-focused decision tool to help buyers identify the different policies that may apply to their goods and services procurement based on spend. The tool is the first of its kind on the Buying for Victoria website and helps streamline procurement planning. The tool steers users through a series of simple questions and lists the procurement-related policies and requirements that may apply to their activity. The new tool has been well received by the community of procurement officers across government agencies.
Standard contract templates
The VGPB started a project to review and simplify its standard form contracts and templates and develop guidance for buyers and suppliers to explain the clauses. The updated templates will support buyers to better navigate and implement policies and provide consistency for suppliers
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