Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten

Thursday, November 05, 2009

QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SHARE DATABASE

The Department of Public Works and Department of Infrastructure and Planning will share a supplier database from the New Year which will help with the rollout of the Queensland Government’s $18.2 billion infrastructure program.

Minister for Public Works Robert Schwarten said building industry consultants and contractors registered on the Department of Public Works prequalification database would be able to bid for Department of Infrastructure and Planning tenders.

“This is a common sense approach to help with the rollout of the record infrastructure program in Queensland,” Mr Schwarten said.

“The pre-qualification database has been successfully used by government departments to attract suitable suppliers and contractors for capital works building projects for more than 10 years.

“This system has been an essential tool in the business that the Department of Public Works conducts on a daily basis.

“It’s a valuable piece of computer technology that will help the Department of Infrastructure and Planning manage its professional and technical contract services database more efficiently, as my department can testify,” he said.

The Minister said extensive consultation by key members of both departments resulted in a positive outcome for the future business requirements of the Department of Infrastructure and Planning.

“Through the single centralised system, building industry consultants who are already registered as preferred suppliers with the Department of Public Works will now also be able to pre-qualify for a Preferred Supplier Arrangement (PSA) with the Department of Infrastructure and Planning.

“Potential new suppliers will be assessed on qualifications and experience as well as technical and managerial capabilities.

“Those suppliers who successfully prequalify will then be able to bid for contracts that are specific to each of their business operations, he said.

The pre-qualification system was established to provide consistent performance requirements and guidelines when selecting building industry service providers for Queensland Government building projects.

Application forms for existing PQC registered suppliers who wish to pre-qualify for a DIP PSA can be accessed on the internet at http://www.build.qld.gov.au/bpu/pqc/consultant.asp.

Contractors and consultants wishing to make enquiries regarding the PQC System can do so by calling the Department of Public Works Building Policy Unit on 1800 072 621.

The combined database will be in full operation from January 1, 2010.

Media Contact: Minister’s Office 3237 1184

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