The procurement policy framework, set out in the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs), is a subset of the Resource Management Framework. The CPRs are the core of the procurement framework.
Procurement Policy Framework includes: |
• Resource Management Guides (such as RMG-417 Supplier Pay On-Time or Pay Interest Policy) |
• Procurement Connected Policies (as set out in RMG-415 Commonwealth Grants and Procurement Connected Policies, which include the Indigenous Procurement Policy, the Workplace Gender Equality Procurement Principles, the Australian Industry National Participation Framework and the Building Code 2013) |
• Department of Finance web based guidance available at: www.finance.gov.au/government/procurement |
• Whole of Government templates and tools (such as AusTender, the Commonwealth Contracting Suite (CCS), the CCS Deed of Standing Offer (DoSO) templates and BuyRight - available at the Department of Finance website |
• Entity specific guidance and tools, such as Accountable Authority Instructions (AAIs), better practice guides, handbooks and templates |
The CPRs provide the policy framework for process requirements in relation to procurement. Achieving value for money is a key component of the CPRs.
Value for money in a procurement process requires a comparative analysis of all the relevant costs and benefits of each proposal throughout the whole procurement cycle. This core principle is supported by open-competition, non-discrimination, efficiency, effectiveness, economical and an ethical use of resources.
Within a procurement process, the delegate will have approved a proposal based on its value for money proposition. Value for money is first assessed at the evaluation phase of a procurement but is not fully realised until the completion of the contract. Effective contract management will assist in achieving the realisation of the value for money proposition. This underpins the contract management practices set out in this guide. For more information on value for money, see CPRs section 4.