| (1) | This instruction applies only to the procurement of building and construction and roads and bridges and is to be read in conjunction with Instructions 1201 to 1229.
A consultant in this instance is an individual or organisation engaged temporarily to give advice or provide a professional, technical or general management service in relation to any building and construction or roads and bridges work matter.
Further information is located in the Buying for Government section of www.purchasing.tas.gov.au.
Refer to Instructions 1101 to 1124 for information in relation to procurement of goods and non-construction related services. |
| (2) | For building and construction and/or roads and bridges projects agencies must ensure that where there is an appropriate category, only pre-qualified consultants are engaged. |
| (3) | All building and construction and/or roads and bridges consultants must be engaged in accordance with the requirements contained in the Procurement Practice Manual – Best Practice for the Engagement of Consultants.
The Procurement Practice Manual – Best Practice for the Engagement of Consultants is available on the Buying for Government section of www.purchasing.tas.gov.au. |
| (4) | Where applicable pre-qualification categories do not exist, agencies must undertake a full tender process that ensures that the recommended consultant possesses the technical and financial capability, as well as other capabilities that the agency considers to be relevant, required for the project. |
| (5) | Where an agency wishes to engage a consultant who is not pre-qualified, and pre-qualified consultants are registered for the particular work that is being undertaken, an exemption from the requirement to use a pre-qualified consultant may be approved by the Secretary of the Department of Treasury and Finance.
Such an exemption will only be approved in exceptional circumstances, where conclusive justification of the request is provided. Retrospective exemptions will not be granted.
All exemptions granted, including the reasons for the granting of the exemption, will be disclosed in the Department of Treasury and Finance Annual Report. The contract and the method by which the procurement occurred (in this case, an exemption) will also be required to be reported by the agency in accordance with Instructions 1212 and 1213. |
| (6) | Agencies must ensure that where sub-consultants are to be engaged by a consultant the sub-consultant, where appropriate categories exist, is also pre-qualified to the appropriate levels.
Further information on the use of the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources pre-qualified consultants is available from Tony Hodgson at tony.hodgson@dier.tas.gov.au or on 6233 2176.
A list of pre-qualified building and construction consultants is located at www.tenders.tas.gov.au, under Tools and Help, Agency eTendering Admin, Pre-qualified Contractors and Consultants. An eTendering login is required to access this database. |
| (7) | All contracts awarded must be reported in accordance with Instructions 1212 and 1213. |
| INSURANCE |
| (8) | Agencies must ensure that consultants retain suitable levels of Professional Indemnity (PI) insurance and Public Liability (PL) insurance for the scope of the services.
The Department of Treasury and Finance (for building and construction consultants) and the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources (for roads and bridges) will ensure that consultants are pre-qualified to the minimum level allowed. However, agencies should be mindful of suitable insurance levels for consultants regardless of the value of the services. Further information is available in the Guidelines on Professional Indemnity Insurance and Public Liability Insurance which is located in the Buying for Government section of www.purchasing.tas.gov.au. under Resources. |
