Responding rapidly to disaster recovery with Local Buy Arrangements

Written by Pat McCormack, Category Manager

Floods, cyclones, and other natural disasters routinely have a devastating impact on local and state government infrastructure in all areas of Queensland. The 2022 floods impacted many areas and there’s no denying that some regions are still recovering from the devastating impact of this event.

It is vital that councils respond quickly to a disaster event to facilitate community recovery. This is when using Local Buy Arrangements is especially useful for Councils to rapidly access quality suppliers. All appointed suppliers have demonstrated their managerial, financial and technical capability through a stringent tender process.

Local Buy has a range of established pre-qualified supplier Arrangements that councils can easily access through VendorPanel to greatly reduce procurement time and costs compared to a traditional tender process. When using the Arrangements, councils are assured of full compliance with the Queensland Local Government Regulations and the competitive process can be undertaken in accordance with council procurement policies. It’s important to note that Local Buy’s Arrangements can be used for projects of any size or cost, from minor works to high value and complex civil infrastructure projects.

Local Buy has done the hard yards in negotiating contractual agreements and these apply to all procurement activities conducted under Local Buy Arrangements, avoiding lengthy commercial negotiations, or being subjected to supplier terms and conditions.

The Arrangements especially relevant to disaster response and recovery are:

• BUS270 Road, Water, Sewerage and Civil Works
• LB312 Engineering and Environmental Consultancy Services
• LB279 Project Management Services

Somerset Regional Council’s Works Manager, Raad Jarjees, says using the Local Buy Arrangements through Vendor Panel is an easy and efficient process that saves time, reduces risk, and lessens administrative tasks.

“Using Local Buy Arrangements is simple and efficient. The process of uploading our Request for Quote (RFQ) documents into Vendor Panel is a very quick process with easy steps to follow. Council can select the suppliers they know can get the work done and filter down to those within the region to help support local businesses. During the RFQ process, suppliers can seek additional information, and council can respond, all through VendorPanel. All communications are recorded, and council cannot access supplier pricing before the nominated closing time, ensuring that probity is maintained. Council can also use VendorPanel to send notices to successful and unsuccessful suppliers.”

 – Raad Jarjees, Works Manager from Somerset Regional Council.

Jim Wagner, Director from Joe Wagner Group (BUS270 supplier) appreciates the efficiency of the engagement process under Local Buy and the opportunity for work from a variety of purchasers.

“Our company has successfully delivered several projects under the BUS270 Arrangement. The projects have consistently performed well in all measures, and we have enjoyed positive relationships with our local government clients. We have found our engagement and management under the BUS270 Arrangement to be efficient and effective and we look forward to more work under the Arrangement.”

- Jim Wagner, Director from Joe Wagner Group (BUS270 supplier).