Appendix 7 - Consultancy services
POLICY ON SELECTION AND ENGAGEMENT OF CONSULTANTS
ABS policy on selection and engagement of consultants is consistent with Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines. The ABS selects and engages consultants in a way that ensures transparency and provides value for money. The ABS assesses the capability of providers as appropriate in each case.
TOTAL CONSULTANCIES LET IN 2004–05
During 2004–05, 24 consultants were engaged to carry out projects or to provide professional and technical advice that could not be provided by staff of the ABS.
Six consultancies have been let in previous years with a total value of $345,587. The total value of the 18 new consultancies is $479,482.
Table 7.1 shows total expenditure on all consultancies, covering both payments made on new contracts let in 2004–05 and payments made on contracts let in previous years. The larger consultancy contracts (those to the value of $10,000 or more) are detailed in Table 7.2 along with brief notes on the procurement method used.
TABLE 7.1: CONSULTANCY SERVICES CONTRACTS ENGAGED BY THE ABS
TABLE 7.2: CONSULTANCY SERVICES CONTRACTS LET IN 2004–05 TO THE VALUE OF $10,000 OR MORE
KEY
Justification for recourse to consultancy arrangements:
(a) Need for specialised skills.
(b) Need for access to the latest technology and experience in its application.
(c) Lack of available in-house resources.
TYPE OF TENDER
(1) Restricted tender
(2) Request for quotation
(3) Direct negotiation
Table excludes standard services such as:
- scribes
- medical, counselling, and other individual consultations
- presentation of standard/pre-existing training courses
- travel contracts, IT help desk and IT maintenance contracts.