Intent

The Procurement Policy is the University’s overarching policy for the procurement of goods and services, including construction.  Its intent is to deliver excellence in procurement outcomes in addition to ensuring compliance with the current Queensland Procurement Policy, as updated from time to time, which is a requirement of the University as a Queensland Government ‘Statutory Body’.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff (including adjuncts) and students.  This policy must be read in conjunction with the Procurement Procedures (FMPM 711).

Definitions

Procurement - the overarching function that describes the activities and processes to acquire goods and services including the activities involved in establishing fundamental requirements, sourcing activities such as market research and vendor evaluation and negotiation of contracts. It also includes the purchasing activities required to order and receive goods.

Policy

The following principles apply in relation to all University procurement activities.

1. The current Queensland Procurement Policy, as updated from time to time, will be applied to all procurement instances with a focus on the following principles:
   • Putting Queenslanders first when securing value for money – recognising that value for money is more than price paid;
   • Working together to achieve outcomes – providing a flexible procurement framework based on an agency-led procurement model;
   • Governance and planning – focusing on a category management approach with a strong governance framework and integrated planning;
   • Leaders in procurement practice – professionalising the procurement discipline and building procurement capability;
   • Integrity, probity and accountability – ensuring procurement is undertaken with integrity, that probity is appropriately managed, and that accountability for outcomes is maintained; and
   • Advancement of government objectives – providing the procurement framework to advance economic, environmental and social objectives.
2. The University will make their best endeavours to do business with ethical and socially responsible suppliers.
3. The University will promote supplier diversity opportunities to increase the number of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses within the supply chain.
4. All procurement activities will be undertaken in accordance with established principles, probity and governance standards as provided in the Queensland Procurement Policy 2017.
5. Procurement initiatives will substantially align with the University’s strategic objectives supported by appropriate planning and commitment from stakeholders.
6. A University Corporate Procurement Plan (CPP) will be maintained, reviewed, updated and approved prior to the commencement of each financial year and demonstrate flexibility and responsiveness to the ever-changing needs of the University.
7. Procurement measures will be developed, introduced and regularly reviewed for the purpose of assessing and reporting the University’s procurement performance and achieving positive fiscal outcomes.
8. Detailed procurement plans (stating the function and performance requirements of the goods/services to be procured) will be prepared for purchases of higher value or high business risk.

Related policy instruments

FMPM 711 – Procurement Procedure

FMPM 712 - Engaging Individuals as Service Providers Procedure

FMPM Appendix A – Delegations Policy

Related documents and legislation

Public Sector Ethics Act 1994 (Queensland)

Integrity Act 2009 (Queensland)

Financial Accountability Act 2009 (Queensland)

Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009 (Queensland)

Queensland Procurement Policy

Right to Information Act 2009 (Queensland)

Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Commonwealth)

James Cook University Corporate Procurement Plan

Queensland Charter for Local Content

Queensland Information Technology Contracting (QITC) Framework

Administration

NOTE: Printed copies of this policy are uncontrolled, and currency can only be assured at the time of printing.

Approval Details

Revision History

NOTE: A minor amendment will not result in a change of the next major review date.

Approval date – the date the approval authority approved the establishment, minor or major amendment or disestablishment

Implementation Date – the date the policy was published in the Policy Library and is the date the policy takes effect