Council transitions to a simpler procurement process

Armidale Regional Council has transitioned to using a procurement platform called VendorPanel, to source and evaluate quotes and award work.

Council wants to remind local businesses to register to VendorPanel Marketplace to assist Council staff to request quotes directly from registered businesses.

VendorPanel makes it easier for Council officers to connect with registered suppliers on purchasing opportunities. It is part of Council’s strategy to support business in the region and generate efficiencies within council’s procurement processes.

Armidale Regional Council General Manager James Roncon said council was committed to contributing to local economic development, social and sustainability outcomes through its procurement processes and updated Procurement Policy.

“Wherever possible council will explore the benefits of purchasing goods, services or works from suppliers in the Armidale region,” said Mr Roncon

“We recognise how important it is that council expenditure stay in the region to support new jobs and businesses development.”

Registering your business on VendorPanel is another way Council is achieving better outcomes for local suppliers through professionally managed procurement solutions.

The benefits to businesses include: being notified by email of all projects where you are being invited to submit a quote; submitting proposals is easy using a structured template that requires you to align your relevant experience, ideas, capability and availability; you are kept up-to-date of progress and immediately notified if you are selected and it saves you time and effort by giving you direct access to sales leads and a smart and simple way to win more work.

Council is in a procurement transition phase and will continue to use Tenderlink on large public tenders until transitioning in full to the VendorPanel platform.

“This is a significant improvement to the way Council does business and a lot of implementation and training has been underway within the organisation,” said Mr Roncon.

“We will iron out any teething problems and processes before dealing in VendorPanel on large public tenders.”

To register on Council’s VendorPanel Marketplace and receive assistance via online tools and videos, search ‘VendorPanel Armidale Regional Council’ in google or visit council’s website and search for the Tenders, Quotations & EOI’s page. If you require further information contact Tony McCarthy, Procurement and Contracts Coordinator at [email protected]

Published on 01 Dec 2021