QPLA Conference
Presentation
March 2025
Advancing Queensland Procurement
Emma Peters
Local Buy
Head of Engagement
INTRODUCING
Local Buy has been a proud partner of the Queensland Public Libraries Association since 2003.�
We have worked collaboratively with the QPLA to provide a comprehensive and value-adding procurement service to the Local Governments of Queensland and Northern Territory.
Proud to sponsor this conference and support the great work of the QPLA and the individual Public Library Services that make up its body.
Proud Partner of the QPLA
Advancing Queensland Procurement
Local Buy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ).
Created in 2001 to assist councils streamline procurement.
A profit-for-purpose organisation we return all profits to LGAQ who use these funds to provide member services to Queensland Councils.
Local Buy also work in Partnership with LGANT to provide procurement services to the NT. �
From April 2025 we will be also supporting Australian Capital Territory Libraries (ACT Libraries). This will also present new opportunities for the suppliers on the Local Buy Libraries Panel.
Who is Local Buy?
Advancing Queensland Procurement
Council must obtain three written quotes
Council must perform an open market tender
Medium
$15,000-
$200,000
Large
>$200,000
Queensland Default
Procurement Rules
Thresholds are accumulative, for the life of a contract or a Financial Year with a Supplier for similar goods or services.
Advancing Queensland Procurement
Local Government Regulation 2012
Part 3 – Default Contracting Procedures
Tendering
Tendering is a long and arduous process for both buyers and suppliers!
Preparation of Tender Documentation & Contracts.
Open for at least 21 days (Local Government).
All Tenders must be evaluated, and many responses may be received.
A risk that the preferred tenderer may be from outside the council area.
The cost of tendering is around $20,000 per tender for Local Government and $5,000 for suppliers to respond.
How do we do that?�
Local Buy has the legislative right to establish Arrangements that are compliant with the Local Government Regulations 2012. Local Buy Arrangements are an exception under s.234 of the Local Government Regulations for purchases of any size.
Local Buy Arrangements are considered tendered, and councils can use them for $1 - $100m+ without conducting their own tender.
Council's and government authorities can purchase a broad range of products and services from prequalified/preferred suppliers, without needing more complex quotation or tender processes.
Using Local Buy = No Tenders
Advancing Queensland Procurement
Local Buy uses an online Procurement System called VendorPanel.
Customers can use this system to issue Requests for Quote for goods & services. The system also stores the licensing information and insurance details that our suppliers provided during the tender process and pricing for some arrangements.
You can also engage suppliers outside of VendorPanel by referring to Local Buy through the Quote Process and referencing Local Buy on the Purchase Order. If you fail to do this, you are not engaging through Local Buy and will not meet legislation requirements.
VendorPanel explained
Connecting Local Government with valued suppliers
~$930m
Spend
12%
Increase in use of Local Buy
4130 Suppliers
1217
Individual people purchasing
~45%
of all RFQs go through VendorPanel
279 Buyer Organisations
Library Resources: Goods, Services & Associated Technologies
LB338
Commenced: 1 November 2024
This LGA Arrangement has the option of two (2) extension periods of up to thirty-six (36) months each, which may be taken in any combination up to a total extension period of up to seventy-two (72) months and exercised at the absolute discretion of Local Buy.
If full extension periods are utilised the arrangement will remain operational until 31 October 2033.
LIBRARY
ARRANGEMENTS
Council must obtain
three written quotes
Council must perform an
open market tender
Each year, Local Buy rebates a portion of the management fees reported from sales by the panel suppliers, back to the QPLA. ��These fees are a result of councils’ continuing support to purchase their library supplies under this Local Buy arrangement. �
The rebate enables the QPLA Committee to contribute to activities supporting Queensland Public Libraries.
To date the QPLA has received over $122,500 in rebate.�
FY2025 is trending to be the biggest yearly rebate for the QPLA.
CMF Share
Advancing Queensland Procurement
Industry Development Fund
Industry Development Fund -
Funding opportunities for Public Libraries
The Local Buy Industry Development Fund (IDF), in conjunction with Telstra, was established in 2007 with the aim to benefit local government in Queensland by providing financial assistance towards improving technology transformation and business processes using technology. ��The funding is as a one off and is not designed for ongoing funding.�
Contact the Local Buy Libraries Category Manager regarding eligibility of funding and application for your projects.
Upcoming Events
We invite you to check out our events page and explore all the exciting events we have lined up.
Construction Series Webinar
FNQ Procurement Summit
ICT Webinar Series
Fleet Managers Forum
Please scan the QR code below to view our events page.
Advancing Queensland Procurement
Advancing Queensland Procurement
ASK AWAY
Q&A
If you have any questions regarding Local Buy or how you can take advantage of its benefits, feel free to ask our friendly team now.
Alternatively, you can contact our team at any time.
www.localbuy.net.au
enquiry@localbuy.net.au
1800 LB HELP (52 4357)