• Section 1 - Introduction
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 - Scope
• Section 4 - Audience   
• Section 5 - Definitions
• Section 6 - Authority and Compliance
• Section 7 - Procurement Principles
• Value for Money
• Open and Fair Competition
• Transparency, Probity, Equity and Ethical Behaviour
• Risk Management
• Responsible Financial Management
• Section 8 - Planning and Strategy Development 
• Procurement Strategy    
• Procurement Plans
• Restricted Use Agreements
• Common Use Agreements
• Formation of Supply Relationships
• Timely and Accountable Decision-making
• Section 9 - Monitoring, Support and Non-Compliance
• Section 10 - Complaints Resolution

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) This Policy has been informed by the following strategic priorities:

1. Excellence: the University of Newcastle (University) is publicly accountable for the use of its funds and strives to ensure value for money is achieved through procurement to support exceptional outcomes for its students, staff and communities;
2. Engagement: the University is committed to using its resources to engage and support businesses owned and managed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, visible minorities, local businesses and other underrepresented groups;
3. Sustainability: the University is ethically minded and prioritises responsible management of its environmental, social and financial impact;
4. Equity: the University supports the fair and equitable treatment of its suppliers throughout its supply chain via activity that incorporates social, human rights, and environmental considerations into how the University and its supply chain do business across the world.

Section 2 - Purpose

(2) This Policy establishes the Key Procurement Principles that will govern procurement activities, meet the University's business and strategic requirements, and promote fair and equitable treatment of all current and potential suppliers. 

(3)  This Policy must be read in conjunction with the Tender Procedure, Purchasing and Companion Card Policy, Quotation Procedure and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Strategy.

(4) This Policy supports the University's compliance with the following legislation:

1. Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 1988 (NSW);
2. Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW);
3. State Records Act, 1998 (NSW); and
4. Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth).

Section 3 - Scope

(5) This Policy applies to the procurement of all goods and services for the University and its controlled entities regardless of the source of funding or the procurement method, including capital works and research equipment.

Section 4 - Audience   

(6)  This Policy should be read and understood by all staff, including staff of controlled entities, who undertake or are involved in procurement activities.

(7) This Policy is available to suppliers and potential suppliers for their information.

Section 5 - Definitions

(8) In the context of this document:

1. “local” means companies who have an office within the same region as the University campus for which the goods or services are being procured. For example, companies local to the University's Callaghan campus are those located within the Hunter region including the greater Newcastle area;
2. “Indigenous” or “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander” person means any person who is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent who is recognised and accepted as such by other Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Peoples and who identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The University acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are two distinct racial groups within the term “Indigenous Australians”; and
3. “contract owner” means  the representative(s) from within the business unit who is responsible for operationalising the procured goods and services. The contract owner has overall responsibility, accountability and authority for managing supplier performance and implementation of the contracted goods and services.

Section 6 - Authority and Compliance

(9) Every binding commitment that is associated with procurement must be authorised in accordance with the University's delegations of authority (see Delegations Register).

(10) University staff members who make purchases or approve expenditure on behalf of the University must do so within an approved source of funds. Any staff member who incurs expenditure beyond or without an approved source of funds will be held accountable for that expenditure.

(11) Procurement must comply with the Key Procurement Principles and give due consideration to the University's legislative, work health and safety, Code of Conduct, Ethical Framework, and other compliance requirements.

(12) It is the responsibility of all business units, divisions, colleges, schools, and committees to ensure the implementation of procurement activities within their respective areas comply with this Policy.

Section 7 - Procurement Principles

(13) The University will undertake all procurement activities using the following Key Procurement Principles.

Value for Money

(14) When procuring goods and services on behalf of the University the initiating and approving officers must ensure the University is achieving the most optimal value for money outcome. Value for money is a measure of quality that assesses the monetary cost of the goods or services against the quality of supply and benefits that they will provide. It is not necessarily the cheapest price nor the highest quality, instead value for money requires an objective and balanced assessment of a range of cost and non-cost factors.

(15) Potential suppliers and sourcing alternatives will be evaluated against the following criteria:

1. alignment with the University's Strategic Plan and objectives;
2. any relevant funding agreement obligations;
3. any relevant non-cost factors including, but not limited to:
   1. fitness for purpose;
   2. quality;
   3. delivery lead time;
   4. ongoing service support;
   5. warranty; 
   6. source of supply; 
   7. applicable health and safety standards;
   8. impact on society;
   9. approach to environmental sustainability; and
   10. legal compliance.
4. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), assessing all costs over the life of the contract including but not limited to: 
   1. purchase price; 
   2. acquisition costs; 
   3. insurance; 
   4. delivery;
   5. training;
   6. operation;
   7. maintenance;
   8. installation and commissioning; 
   9. disposal and remediation; and
   10. opportunity cost.

(16) In assessing value for money, the University has a responsibility to ensure that its procurement activities also consider relevant social, gender, community, and environmental issues. Provided that all other Key Procurement Principles are met, and where practical, the following will be favoured by the University:

1. products containing materials that are produced and distributed in a sustainable and ethical manner;
2. locally sourced goods and services;
3. carbon neutral goods and services;
4. suppliers that minimise their energy consumption and adverse environmental impact;
5. suppliers with end of life product stewardship programs;
6. business practices that:
   1. support the global fair trade movement aimed at tackling poverty and empowering producers through trade; and
   2. do not constitute modern slavery as defined by the Modern Slavery Act 2018;
7. suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to gender equity, such as collaborating with the Workplace Gender Equality Agency or complying with the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012;
8. procurement that supports the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses or other minority businesses and social enterprises (see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Strategy);
9. suppliers who have a strong overall track record and reputation in terms of supporting Indigenous issues and meeting Indigenous procurement guidelines; and
10. suppliers who have a strong overall track record and reputation in terms of environmental and social sustainability.

Open and Fair Competition

(17) Open and fair competition between suppliers supports the University's commitment to obtaining best value for money and ensuring transparency, probity, equity, and ethical behaviour.

(18) The University will ensure that:

1. when required, a Procurement Plan that is appropriate for the related procurement activity, is developed and approved by a delegated authority;
2. the Quotation Procedure or Tender Procedure is implemented where applicable;
3. the most appropriate market engagement approach is selected, with appropriate justification given for selective or limited market engagements;
4. staff involved in the procurement activity have up-to-date knowledge of the relevant market and the University's requirements;
5. potential suppliers:
   1. are provided with consistent information and opportunity regarding the procurement activity;
   2. are evaluated against criteria documented in the Procurement Plan, where developed; 
   3. bear minimal cost for participating in the procurement process; and
6. specifications and tender documentation are prepared in a manner that neither favours or disadvantages any supplier invited to participate, and clearly states the University's specifications that must be met.

Transparency, Probity, Equity and Ethical Behaviour

(19) The University will conduct its procurement activities with the highest regard for transparency, probity, equity, and ethical behaviour which includes but is not limited to:

1. procuring goods and services for authorised business purposes only, in accordance with legislation, obligations and the University's policies and procedures;
2. clear justification for procurement in the Procurement Plan, where required;
3. maintaining confidentiality in all dealings;
4. being open to public scrutiny, in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009;
5. disclosure of conflicts of interest and relevant personal interests and dealing with these in accordance with the University's Conflict of Interest Policy and its associated documents (for example, this may include excluding a staff member from aspects of the procurement process, or the entire activity, where a conflict of interest may exist);
6. declining or declaring gifts, gratuities or any other benefits that may influence (or be perceived to influence) the procurement process in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy and its associated documents;
7. not engaging in the practice of bid shopping by attempting to lower a price by negotiating or trading between shortlisted or recommended suppliers prior to selecting a preferred proponent;
8. monitoring and reporting on the risks of modern slavery within the University's operations and supply chains and implementing actions to address such risks; and  
9. ensuring accurate and sufficiently detailed records are maintained to document the process undertaken, justify the outcome, and provide an audit trail, in accordance with the Records and Information Management Policy.

(20) The Agency Information Guide provides details of the University's register of contracts in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009. Staff are required to comply with the reporting requirements for contracts under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 by disclosing relevant contract details for all contracts with a total value of $150,000 (GST inclusive) or more, or where a contract variation results in the total value being $150,000 (GST inclusive) or more. Details of how to disclose relevant contract details can be accessed via ServiceUON.

Risk Management

(21) Risk management, as it relates to the supply of goods and services, is a primary consideration and potential procurement and contract related risks must be identified, analysed, evaluated, treated and monitored across the lifetime of the procurement activity in accordance with the Risk Management Policy, Risk Management Framework and their associated documents. The effort directed to risk assessment and management should be commensurate with the scale, scope and risk of the procurement activity.

(22) Procure to Pay offers procurement training to all staff, and this should be completed by staff who undertake procurement activities. Procure to Pay may mandate procurement training for staff as a prerequisite to involvement in procurement activities. Staff are encouraged to undertake refresher training on a regular basis.

Responsible Financial Management

(23) The University will exercise responsible financial management in all procurement processes, including:

1. using University funds appropriately;
2. only initiating procurement activities when it is confirmed that funds have either been formally approved by the Portfolio Resource Allocation Committee (PRAC), or are available within an approved University budget;
3. approval of expenditure of University funds by authorised officers within their delegation limits; and
4. monitoring and evaluating the performance of ongoing contracts to ensure continuing value for money for the University.

(24) As documented within the relevant procure plan and associated tender documentaiton, such as a Request for Tender (RFT) or REquest for Proposal (RFP), the University reserves the right and discretion to:

1. charge a fee for procurement related activities, such as the provision of tender documentation; or
2. compensate proponents, where reasonable, for expenses incurred in relation to major procurement bids.

Section 8 - Planning and Strategy Development 

Procurement Strategy    

(25) Procurement planning and strategy development is an important element of the procurement process and will be undertaken to ensure the successful fulfillment of University objectives.

(26) Throughout the budgeting and forecasting process Procure to Pay will identify and develop Procurement Strategies for meeting the existing and future University strategies in consultation with key stakeholders. Procure to Pay will also assist business areas to meet project specific procurement outcomes.

(27) Procure to Pay, in consultation with key stakeholders, will prepare an annual Procurement Strategy, which will be reviewed on a quarterly basis to address, at a minimum, strategic objectives and targets, governance, planning and analysis, implementation, and performance measurement.

Procurement Plans

(28) Development of a Procurement Plan will be undertaken for:

1. any procurement activity for the purchase of goods or services (including capital works and research equipment) that is valued at $250,000 (GST exclusive) or more; or
2. any procurement activity that is valued at less than $250,000 (GST exclusive) which:
   1. involves an evaluation of non-price criteria; 
   2. involves the procurement of goods or services assessed as high or extreme risk (as defined by the University's Risk Management Framework); or
   3. where either Procure to Pay or the business unit determine a Procurement Plan is required considering the experience of the University buyer and the market.

(29) All other purchases will be undertaken in accordance with the Quotation Procedure.

(30) When estimating the value of the procurement activity, the Total Cost of Ownership of the underlying good or service must be included, refer clause 15.

(31) Details to be addressed in all Procurement Plans include (as a minimum): methodology, market selection, timeline, evaluation criteria, evaluation participants, details of the commercial offer, procurement and contract management risk assessments, and ongoing contract management requirements.

(32) Identification and management of risk will be a requirement for all Procurement Plans.

(33) For capital expenditure projects that require the engagement of multiple suppliers, each delivering a discrete outcome required to complete the overarching project, the Procurement Plan must be developed to address each specific procurement activity required to complete the project. Assessing the specific requirements of each activity will assist in achieving the best outcomes for the University and its potential suppliers.

(34) The Procurement Plan must be approved by an authorised delegate in accordance with the University's delegations of authority (see Delegations Register).

(35) Staff apprpoving a procurement plan are required to independently assess whether the procurement approach is in accordance with this Policy and relevant procedures. This is distinct from the approval of the allocation of funds reviewed under a financial delegation. In some circumstances both the compliance and financial approval may be enacted by the same person where they hold dual delegations.

Restricted Use Agreements

(36) Responsibility for preparing a Procurement Plan for use wihtin a business unit or for a specific project, known as a Restricted Use Agreement, lies with the initiating business unit, with various components of the Procurement Plan supported by the following stakeholders:

1. Finance Business Partners for details of funding availability and/or appropriate financing strategies;
2. Legal & Compliance for consideration of all relevant legal contract, and ongoing contract management requirements; 
3. Governance and Assurance Services for consideration of all relevant insurance and risk assessment requirements;
4. Digital Technology Solutions for information security, privacy and enterprise architecture advice (if required); and
5. Procure to Pay for specialist procurement and probity advice.

(37) The initiating business unit, with support and advice from Procure to Pay, will apply this Policy to determine the specific procurement strategy and method (open, selective or limited) that will be most appropriate for delivering the best procurement outcome with reference to the procurement principles above. This will be based on an assessment of complexity, scope, opportunities and risks associated with the procurement objectives, as well as the level of competition and capability in the supply market.

(38) Procure to Pay will review and provide endorsement or feedback on any perceived deviation from Policy and Procedure within Procurement Plans for Restricted Use Agreements prior to their submission for delegated approval. The approver is responsible for ensuring appropriate compliance of the Procurement Plan with University Policy and Procedure.

Common Use Agreements

(39) Common Use Agreements will be established for use across the University to achieve savings and benefits wherever practical. The process and requirements of purchasing from a specific Common Use Agreement is documented in a buying guide available on ServiceNOW.

(40) Responsibility for preparing a Procurement Plan for a Common Use Agreement lies with Procure to Pay, with various components of the Procurement Plan supported by the following stakeholders:

1. key users of the goods or services being procured for input into the scope and service requirements; 
2. Legal & Compliance unit for consideration of all relevant legal contract and ongoing contract management requirements; and
3. Governance and Assurance Services for consideration of all relevant insurance requirements and risk management.

Formation of Supply Relationships

(41) The University may enter into a formal contractual arrangement with a supplier(s) as a result of a tender or other market engagement process. Staff must use contracted suppliers unless there is a documented and justifiable reason to use an alternative supplier, such as:

1. an ability to source goods or services at a significantly lower price;
2. an inability of the contracted supplier to supply goods or services that are fit for a specific purpose; or
3. a stipulation in an external funding agreement.

(42) In exceptional circumstances, and with valid justification, a plan to use an alternative supplier to that already contracted to the University, for a reason other than those specified in clause 41, must be submitted for approval by a relevant delegate who has authority to approve or vary a procurement plan(see Delegations Register). Consideration will be given to the terms and conditions specified in the existing contract and approval will only be made on the condition that purchasing from an alternative supplier does not represent a breach in contract or diversion from the Key Procurement Principles.

(43) The University may establish schemes and/or processes to approve supply relationships on a qualified or exclusive basis, such as a panel, where it is demonstrated that all Key Procurement Principles can be met. For each Scheme and/or process established, a buying guide will be created detailing the applicable engagement and operational procedures. The terms of engagement with a panel or preferred supplier arrangement must be identified in the relevant procurement documentation and the contractual arrangement entered into.

(44) The contract owner must monitor the performance of its suppliers to ensure that the University continues to obtain best value for money in procurement activities.

(45) A list of contracted common use suppliers can be found on the Procure to Pay Sharepoint site. 

Timely and Accountable Decision-making

(46) This Policy is underpinned by the Tender Procedure, Quotation Procedure, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Strategy and Purchasing and Companion Card Policy that support timely decision-making across the University.

(47) Staff involved in a procurement process must be aware that every element of procurement may impact the procurement outcome, and as such, indvidual staff may be held accountable for their actions or decisions.

(48) After a contract is established, it may become necessary to make changes via a contract variation. Staff must not seek, or allow, a contract variation where it would amount to a significant change to the underlying contract or significantly vary the scope of the contract where:

1. other potential suppliers may have responded differently to the amended contract scope in the tendering process which may have resulted in a different value for money outcome; or
2. the variation may compromise the value for money assessment.

(49) For contract variations where a significant change of scope is proposed or required, Procure to Pay may determine that a new procurement activity is required.

Section 9 - Monitoring, Support and Non-Compliance

(50) Contract owners are responsible for monitoring the performance of suppliers to ensure ongoing compliance with the Key Procurement Principles and to deliver overall value for money.  This may include monitoring performance against contract key performance indicators.

(51) Procure to Pay provides support and guidance for all procurement activities across the University and is available to assist all University staff with any queries, concerns, or advice in undertaking procurement activities.

(52) Procure to Pay may undertake an evaluation of a procurement activity at the cessation or renewal of a
supply contract to assess the outcome of the procurement against the Key Procurement Principles.

(53) Procure to Pay will monitor compliance with this Policy via any lawful means deemed necessary.

(54) Breaches of this Policy may be recorded by Procure to Pay in a register and, having regard to the severity of the breach, may be subject to an appropriate escalation process. 

Section 10 - Complaints Resolution

(55) Any complaints arising from the University's procurement activities will be handled in accordance with the University's Complaint Management Policy and Complaint Management Procedure.