This project's final report and evaluation was completed on June 2022.

Project approach

Support for councils through the provision of updated procurement model documents is seen as a key strategy in allowing councils to purchase goods and services in an efficient and organised manner that is compliant with legislation.

This project has undergone an extended development period and is now at practical completion.

The model policy document includes supporting documentation that will further assist councils and set a new benchmark of professionalism

The model policy document set out to be different to previous iterations. Considerable research into existing policies from SA and interstate councils (and NPN members) was undertaken and a more contemporary, flexible approach has been developed. Being a model policy, it enables councils to consider adopting as a whole, or taking various sections and including them into local policies at a time of review.

The model policy has attempted to separate the actual "policy" component from the operational components, while providing a clear linkage. The operational component is a comprehensive account of the common procurement-related expectations and methodology and is reflective of the needs of the sector and the broader procurement environment.

Project outputs and outcomes

This project aims to assist councils to modernise their procurement practices, providing better value for money and reducing risk. In short, the model policy will achieve a positive impact across the sector. The document will be adopted wholly or in part by councils as they update their policies over time. This means that it is likely to have a growing impact over the next three years aligning with council policy update cycles as they occur.

The project's impact can only be measured over time. The document will form a live topic of consideration for the emerging Procurement Exchange network group.

The full impact of this work will be measured over the next 3 to 4 years.

The membership of the Procurement Exchange (some of whom provided feedback during the consultation period) is expected to provide ongoing operational intelligence and feedback which will lead to a regular update/edit of the resource.

The membership of the Procurement Exchange (some of whom provided feedback during the consultation period) is expected to provide ongoing operational intelligence and feedback which will lead to a regular update/edit of the resource.

Acknowledgment of scheme

Acknowledgment of the assistance provided by the LGA R&D Scheme will be included in the release notes associated with the document and on the LGA Procurement website.

Project distribution

The outcomes of this project will be:

• uploaded to an indexed page of the LGA Procurement website
• communicated in a variety of means (e-news, CEO Update, LinkedIn etc.).
• be tabled for discussion at the first Procurement Exchange network meeting early in the new FY.

Project evaluation

The model policy has been developed in consultation with the sector, the LGA Procurement staff and Board. The consultation and drafting process has included an ongoing evaluation process that has focused on technical and grammatical alignment.

The full evaluation (including implementation and take-up) will be measured over the next 3 to 4 years. We see this as a live and working document that will be responsive to ongoing evaluation and feedback.