In 2019–20, PM&C undertook procurement and purchasing activities in accordance with the principles set out in the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs).
The CPRs were applied to PM&C’s procurement activities through the Accountable Authority Instructions, supporting operational guidelines and procurement framework. PM&C procurements were also supported by the provision of centralised advice on all procurement matters. This ensured that PM&C undertook competitive, non-discriminatory procurement processes; used resources efficiently, effectively, economically and ethically; and made decisions in an accountable manner.
In 2019–20, PM&C awarded 49 new contracts over $10,000 to Indigenous businesses. This represented 9.5 per cent of all PM&C contracts awarded with a value over $10,000. The total estimated value of contracts PM&C awarded to Indigenous businesses in 2019–20 was $10.5 million, or 12 per cent of total contract value.
PM&C’s standard contract templates included provisions allowing the Auditor-General to have access to the relevant contractor’s premises. Contracts of $100,000 or greater (inclusive of GST) that were let during 2019–20 provided for the Auditor-General to have access to the relevant contractor’s premises where appropriate.
There were no contracts in 2019–20 in excess of $10,000 (inclusive of GST) that were exempt from being reported on AusTender on the basis that they would disclose exempt matters under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.
Information on procurements expected to be undertaken in 2020–21 through an open approach to market is published in PM&C’s annual procurement plan, available on the AusTender website (www.tenders.gov.au).
Consultants
PM&C engaged consultants when it needed specialist expertise, independent research, review or assessment. Decisions to engage consultants during 2019–20 were made in accordance with the PGPA Act and related regulations, including the CPRs and relevant internal policies.
During 2019–20, 24 new consultancy contracts were entered into involving total actual expenditure of $1.63 million. In addition, 12 ongoing consultancy contracts were active during the period involving total actual expenditure of $0.59 million. Details of trends in consultancies are shown in Table 3.26. This annual report contains information about actual expenditure on contracts for consultancies. Information on the value of contracts and consultancies is available on the AusTender website (www.tenders.gov.au).
| Consultancies |
2019–20 |
2018–19 |
2017–18 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Number of ongoing consultancies |
12 |
35 |
24 |
|
Number of new consultancies |
24 |
57 |
101 |
|
Total consultancies |
36 |
92 |
125 |
|
Total expenditure |
$2.22 million |
$10.42 million |
$7.05 million |
Small and medium enterprises
PM&C recognises the importance of ensuring that small businesses are paid on time. The results of the Survey of Australian Government Payments to Small Business are available on the Treasury’s website.
PM&C supported small business participation in the Commonwealth Government procurement market. Small and medium enterprise (SME) and small enterprise participation statistics are available on the Department of Finance website (www.finance.gov.au/procurement/statistics-on-commonwealth-purchasing-contracts).
PM&C’s procurement practices supported SMEs by adopting whole-of-government solutions to simplify interactions with SMEs.
This includes:
- using the Commonwealth Contracting Suite for low-risk procurements valued under $200,000
- implementing the Indigenous Procurement Policy, noting that many Indigenous businesses are also SMEs
- using the Australian Industry Participation policies and programs to encourage SME engagement opportunities
- using credit cards for procurements valued below $10,000
- complying with the Government's Supplier Pay on Time or Pay Interest Policy.
Advertising and market research
Under section 311A of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, PM&C is required to disclose payments of $14,000 or more (inclusive of GST) for advertising and market research.
|
Firm |
Service provided |
$ incl GST |
$ excl GST |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Australian Survey Research Group Pty Ltd |
Conducted a 10 minute ‘small business insights survey’, an online survey of business owners and/or senior managers. |
25,603 |
23,275 |
|
Highchair Pty Ltd & The Civic Group Holdings Pty Ltd |
APS reform: provided support as a strategic communications and creative change management partner. |
176,512 |
160,465 |
|
IPSOS Public Affairs Pty Ltd |
National online survey on community attitudes and behaviours relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
86,519 |
78,654 |
|
Lynxx Proprietary Ltd |
Development of an online game to collect data to test the impact of activity statements on gambling behaviour. |
48,180 |
43,800 |
|
Mediabrands Australia Pty Ltd Universal McCann |
Advertising for the 2020-21 Graduate Program. |
47,288 |
42,989 |
|
Non-campaign awareness advertising to bushfire affected areas. |
203,375 |
184,887 |
|
|
2021 PM&C and NIAA Graduate Program application advertising. |
23,976 |
21,796 |
|
|
Newspaper notices for the funeral of the Hon Tim Fischer AC. |
24,917 |
22,652 |
|
|
Print media advertising for SES Band 3 role. |
20,949 |
19,045 |
|
|
Monash University |
Citizen Survey: research to explore young people's experience of Australian public services. |
135,205 |
122,914 |
|
Newgate Communications Pty Ltd |
Citizen Survey: research to understand the factors influencing decisions regarding private health insurance. |
147,036 |
133,669 |
|
Research to understand Australians’ views on Government’s data use and sharing. |
110,106 |
100,096 |
|
|
Orima Research Pty Ltd |
Assessment of the needs of Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) agencies for guidance material in applying the requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. |
99,715 |
90,650 |
|
Painted Dog Research Pty Ltd |
Citizen Survey: data collection services that inform departmental and APS agency improvements to public service delivery. |
499,442 |
454,038 |
|
Reed, James Alan - Resolve Strategic |
Research on behavioural responses to the economic and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
538,725 |
489,750 |
|
The Social Research Centre |
Citizen Survey: research to test the impact of different versions of online wagering activity statements. |
20,972 |
19,065 |
|
Citizen Survey: design and run a phone survey measuring public satisfaction of APS. |
17,375 |
15,795 |
|
|
Whereto Research |
Citizen Survey: conduct focus group research to explore public perceptions of Australian public services. |
77,550 |
70,500 |
PM&C did not conduct advertising campaigns during 2019–20.
Asset management
PM&C managed its assets in accordance with the Accountable Authority Instructions, relevant accounting standards and Department of Finance requirements.
Non-compliance with finance law
No significant instances of non-compliance requiring a report to the responsible Minister in accordance with the PGPA Act were recorded in the Department for 2019–20.
Grant programs
Information on grants awarded by PM&C during the period 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 is published on www.grants.gov.au, managed by the Department of Finance, within 21 days of the grant agreement taking effect.