End of year message from MAV Procurement

As 2016 draws to a close it is a good time to reflect on our achievements and also look forward to future opportunities.

The LEAP program continues to grow, with 35 councils now participating and a number of regional projects underway.

In the current environment of rate capping and consequent financial pressures, LEAP is providing significant value to councils in helping to identify opportunities for cost reduction, transactional efficiencies, collaboration and shared services.

The data gathered through LEAP provides a unique insight into the procurement spend and trends across the sector, and is informing future priorities for MAV Procurement.

LEAP has also highlighted the ongoing need for accessible and affordable training and professional development across a range of stakeholders involved with the procurement process within councils, and we have worked to address this need through the recent launch of our eLearning program.

In 2017 we will continue to expand on the eLearning program suite of courses and our contract management training series. In March 2017 we will conduct our Procurement Leaders Conference in Torquay, with an exciting program that can be viewed on our website.

A number of significant contracts have been completed during the year, including IT professional services, VMware licensing, permanent recruitment, contaminated land management, web content management and marketing services.

We will soon conclude new contracts for civil construction, hardware, parks and playground equipment, and electronic planning approvals. We have also commenced planning for a new Microsoft agreement, state-wide library management system, natural gas and electricity, and energy efficient street lighting for major roads.

In 2016 we also concluded our second issuance of the Local Government Funding Vehicle for $100 million on behalf of 16 councils, in addition to our previous 2015 issuance of $240 million. The LGFV provides councils with access to low cost funding and has created a new competitor to the major banks, significantly impacting pricing.

We would like to thank you for your ongoing support and look forward to working with you in 2017. As your representative body, we are always open to new ideas and opportunities to assist in making your role within council easier and welcome the opportunity to discuss these with you.

The MAV office will close at 3pm on 23 December and will re-open on 3 January 2017. Have a great Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Cameron Spence
Manager, Commercial Services.

Procurement Leaders Conference

Our annual MAV Procurement Leaders Conference is being held at Peppers the Sands in Torquay on 2-3 March 2017.

The conference is an opportunity for current and aspiring procurement leaders to undertake an intensive two-day program of activities designed to support ongoing development.

It will include presentations, workshops and discussions, and will showcase examples of innovative approaches to procurement.

For further information on speakers and topics, please visit our website.

To register please visit our registration page.

For further information, contact Zara Ahmed.

New MAV Procurement reporting tool

MAV Procurement has implemented a new reporting tool which allows us to provide more detailed and accurate reporting of a council’s utilisation of MAV Procurement contracts - by contract, supplier and time period.

If you would like more detail, or to obtain information from the reporting tool, please contact Steve Downs.

MAV Procurement training

eLearning

To complement the existing MAV professional development and LEAP programs, we are excited to launch a new range of procurement eLearning modules specifically developed for Victorian local government.

The initial modules available to councils are as follows:

1. Procurement essentials
2. Contract management essentials
3. Probity for purchasing and procurement.

These eLearning modules provide councils with a cost-effective and easily accessible platform to embed procurement practices across the entire organisation. They deliver a consistent message, and provide an audit trail for measurement of participation and learning outcomes.

These modules can be used for new staff induction or as a regular refresher for those staff involved in the procurement and contract management process.

For more information, visit the MAV website or contact Zara Ahmed.

MAV Procurement Contract Management Series

Thank you for your ongoing support of the MAV Procurement Contract Management Series during 2016. This year we had over 70 participants from 35 different councils visit our offices on Collins Street for training.

The series will run again in 2017, with enhanced courses and new content. Dates and more information will be released in January 2017.

We hope to include some regional training sessions next year and welcome any suggestions regarding the logistics.

Please email Zara Ahmed if you are interested in hosting a regional sessions at your council.

LEAP Update

We are pleased to welcome Maribyrnong City Council to the LEAP Program, bringing the total to 35 and completing the Northern Metro region.

Contact Rachel Ferretto if you would like to be a part of the LEAP program or to arrange an information session/demonstration at your council.

Contract updates

Recruitment – Neutral Vendor Managed Service

A Deed of Variation has been completed for Recruitment – Neutral Vendor Managed Service (RS8017-2015NV) to include the provision of a servicing category for apprentices and trainees. The Pricing Schedule has been updated to incorporate this amendment to the contract.

If you have any questions regarding the engagement of apprentices and trainees please contact Paul Tinker, Senior Relationship Manager Comensura on 0447 888 630 or Paul.Tinker@comensura.com.au.

You can access the Deed of Variation and all supporting documents via Vendor Panel by completing the Contract Access Form and returning it to Alison Hawkins.

If you would like further information contact Alison on 9667 5518.

Permanent Recruitment Services – Classified Levels and Above

The Permanent Recruitment Services (RS8017-2015) panel is up and running with 17 suppliers available to councils. Agreements are with the final two suppliers for execution. All contracts are expected to be live by Tuesday 3rd January.

For further information contact Alison Hawkins.

Workwear and Personal Protective Apparel

The Workwear and Personal Protective Apparel (NPN3.11-2) panel is up and running on Vendor Panel with seven suppliers currently available to councils.

The supply of workwear and personal protective apparel includes footwear, hand protection, eye protection, hats, shirts, jumpers, jackets, trousers, shorts and socks.

Agreements are with the remaining suppliers for execution and negotiations are also ongoing. It is expected the panel will be fully operational by end of January 2017.

To access the contract on Vendor Panel and to receive further information, please download and fill in our Contract Access Form and return to MAV Procurement.

For further information please contact Alison Hawkins.

Provision of Park and Playground Equipment

The Request for Tender for the Provision of Park and Playground Equipment (PP4924-2016) has been awarded, with contracts currently being signed. It commences on 16 January 2017.

The contract information will be available on Vendor Panel and on the access request form in January upon commencement.

Councils who signed an expression of interest form during the tender process would have received the recommendation report, however if you haven’t and would like a copy, please contact Rachel Ferretto.

Bill Payment Services

The contract for Bill Payment Services (BP8411) expires on 31 May 2017 and will be re-tendered early next year. If you would like to be part of the evaluation process please contact Rachel Ferretto.

Civil Works: Roads, Bridges and Road Resurfacing

The evaluation of submissions is being finalised with a view to having contracts in place before the end of January, enabling the panel to go live for Victorian councils from 1 February 2017.

This contract will provide councils with a panel of pre-qualified suppliers under the following categories:

• Civil works: road and bridge construction and associated maintenance
• Road resurfacing including supply, cart, spray/lay of bitumen and/or asphalt.

For further information, contact Paul Taylor.

Industrial, Construction, Electrical and General Hardware

This National Procurement Network (NPN) tender closed on 16 December with evaluation, negotiation and contracting process to be completed in early 2017. The resulting panel contract will provide councils with access to the following categories of supply:

• Paint and protective coatings and adhesives
• Electrical and lighting (industrial and household)
• General hardware
• Building and construction materials
• Hand and power tools
• Nursery and garden care
• Domestic plumbing supplies.

This panel should be available to councils in the first quarter of 2017. For further information, contact Paul Taylor.

Natural Gas

Our Natural Gas (EC8310-2016-NG) tender closed on 14 December. Participating councils would have received the resulting evaluation/recommendation report this week and were required to confirm acceptance of the offer (pending council meeting sign-off if required) by 22 December.

For further information, contact Paul Taylor.

Provision of a solution for electronic assessment and approval of council permit applications

MAV Procurement is conducting a tender on behalf of councils for the electronic assessment and approval of council permit applications (EA4323-2016), including solutions for electronic and digital signatures that can be used by all of council.

Ideally the solution will not only meet the needs of council planning departments, but will potentially extend the application of the software to other areas where plans and permits may be required. This could include building, environmental health, local laws, events and infrastructure.

If you would like more information on this tender or to express your council’s interest, please contact Rachel Ferretto.

Contract extension

Street lighting

Contract SL9311 Approved Energy Efficient Street Lighting Hardware (Luminaires and associated PE cells) has been extended for a further 12 months. This is the final extension under this arrangement and the revised expiry date is 30 November 2017.

All hardware supplied under this contract is approved as energy efficient.

For further information, contact Alison Hawkins. If you would like to access the contract, please fill out our contracts access request form and return it via email.