Conditions of pre-qualification to Construction Supplier Register

The conditions for pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register

1 The Construction Supplier Register

a) The Secretary to the Department of Treasury and Finance has created the Construction Supplier Register containing pre-qualified suppliers of construction works and construction services for use on government building projects.

b) The Secretary to the Department of Treasury and Finance has created a sub-category Cladding rectification to the Construction Supplier Register containing approved pre-qualified suppliers of construction works and construction services for use on government building projects that involve cladding rectification and/or removal services.

c) The Construction Supplier Register:

i) Will store all information received from applicants and pre-qualified suppliers;

ii) Will be accessible only by those authorised to access the Construction Supplier Register, being broadly employees of Victorian government departments and agencies for the purpose of public construction;

iii) Will be operated by the Lead Department (currently the Department of Treasury and Finance) according to these Conditions of Pre-qualification for the Construction Supplier Register.

iv) Will provide to users of the Construction Supplier Register summary information:

(1) Disclosed by the applicant and any of its referees;

(2) Obtained by the Lead Department when considering the application;

(3) Obtained by the Victorian government when engaging the applicant; and/or

(4) The overall assessment contained within any performance reports produced by users of the Construction Supplier Register.

v) Will make the following information available to members of the public:

(1) Name, trading name, ABN, address, telephone, facsimile, web page;

(2) Construction Supplier Register pre-qualification number and pre-qualification categories and project limits the Lead Department has approved the pre-qualified supplier to be engaged for.

d) At the time of application, an applicant may elect to apply for any category within the Construction Supplier Register. The sub-category Cladding rectification applies to certain categories only and applicants for those categories may elect to apply for the sub-category Cladding rectification.

e) The responsible Minister has created the Residential Cladding Rectification Register containing approved pre-qualified suppliers of construction works and construction services for use on residential buildings that involve the removal or rectification of combustible cladding. Mutual recognition of pre-qualification status is available between the Construction Supplier Register sub-category Cladding rectification and the Residential Cladding Rectification Register. Applicants applying for and pre-qualified suppliers within the sub-category Cladding rectification are eligible for recognition under the Residential Cladding Rectification Register if they so apply.

1A Applicant and pre-qualified supplier agreement and acknowledgement

All applicants and pre-qualified suppliers agree and acknowledge that:

a) any information disclosed by them, or gathered regarding them, by either the Lead Department or the Residential Cladding Rectification Register will be automatically used and disclosed between each register;

b) any information disclosed by them, or gathered regarding them by either the Lead Department, the Construction Supplier Register, the Residential Cladding Rectification Register, or any information held by the Victorian Building Authority, the Building Licensing Authority, or the Architects Registration Board of Victoria, will be shared between the Lead Department, the Construction Supplier Register, the Residential Cladding Rectification Register, the Victorian Building Authority, the Building Licensing Authority and the Architects Registration Board of Victoria;

c) pre-qualification is independent of and separate to any registration or qualification that an applicant or pre-qualified supplier may be required to hold, or may seek to hold;

d) the status as a pre-qualified supplier does not limit or prevent a relevant regulator (including but not limited to the Victorian Building Authority, the Building Licensing Authority, or the Architects Registration Board of Victoria) from reviewing, altering, suspending or removing any registration or qualification that an applicant or pre-qualified supplier may hold;

e) pre-qualification has no impact on and does not limit or alter either:

(i) the rights of a building owner or the State of Victoria,

(ii) any liabilities an applicant or pre-qualified supplier may have,

in relation to a building(s) that have combustible cladding, including for rectification costs;

f) any invitation to tender, tender, or engagement issued to a pre-qualified supplier is made without admission or release regarding, or prejudice to, any rights or liabilities associated with any building(s) that have combustible cladding, all of which are expressly reserved, without limitation. Any decision to initiate or pursue cost recovery actions against applicants or pre-qualified suppliers will be made by other Victoria State Government authorities responsible for such matters; and

g) they unequivocally consent to their information, including information which may be subject to the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, being disclosed to the public for the purposes of the Construction Supplier Register, for these Conditions of Pre-qualification, and for this open invitation.

2 Conditions of Pre-qualification

a) By submitting an application, the applicant agrees to be bound by and to comply with these Conditions of Pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register.

b) These Conditions of Pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register apply to:

i) this open invitation to apply and any other information given, received or made available in connection with this open invitation to apply, including any additional materials, revisions, or addenda;

ii) the application process; and

iii) any communications (including any briefings, presentations, meetings or negotiations) relating to this open invitation or the application process.

c) In addition to any other remedies available to it under law, any failure to comply with these Conditions of Pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register will entitle the Lead Department, in its absolute discretion, to disqualify an applicant from the open invitation process and/or reclassify, suspend or remove the pre-qualified supplier from the Register.

3 Applications for the Register

a) To be eligible for pre-qualification on the Construction Supplier Register, applicants must:

i) Meet the eligibility criteria set out at:

(1) eligibility criteria for applications to Construction Supplier Register, for all categories excluding Low value works projects;

(2) where applicable, eligibility criteria for applications to Construction Supplier Register category Low value works projects; and

(3) where applicable, the eligibility criteria for the sub-category Cladding rectification; and

ii) Submit an application in the form described at Applying for pre-qualification, which is accepted by the Lead Department at its discretion.

b) Applicants are invited to apply to the Register at any time.

c) Only those applications which are complete and fully satisfy the eligibility criteria will be considered by the Lead Department for pre-qualification pursuant to this open invitation.

d) Applicants apply subject to these Conditions of Pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register and at their own risk and expense.

e) The Lead Department will undertake further enquiries regarding the applicant at its discretion, including but not limited to:

i) Seeking further information or documentation from the applicant;

ii) Contacting the applicant’s referees;

iii) Seeking further information or documentation from third parties (including, but not limited to, the Victorian Building Authority, the Building Licensing Authority and the Architects Registration Board of Victoria) to verify the information supplied by the applicant;

iv) Seek information or documentation about matters that could be reasonably anticipated to impact the integrity, reputation and probity of the Register, the Lead Department, or the State, including but not limited to:

  • finding/s of guilt in relation to a criminal matter, including plea/s of guilty without conviction;
  • pending or actual disciplinary and/or registration action taken or likely to be taken against them or against their employees with any  Regulator, Court, Tribunal or any other disciplinary body (if applicable);
  • complaints made about the conduct of the applicant or its employees;

And each applicant hereby provides all necessary authority and consent required to enable such enquiries to be carried out and will confirm such authority to any party if requested to do so.

f) A determination by the Lead Department of any application to the Register, or to reclassify, suspend or remove a pre-qualified supplier from the Register, will be based on the requirements in the application form, eligibility criteria and the Conditions of Pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register and is at the Lead Department’s absolute discretion.

g) Applicants will be notified in writing of their acceptance or non-acceptance on the Register and which category(ies) and project limit(s) apply to that pre-qualification.

4 Pre-qualification as a pre-qualified supplier

a) If the Lead Department decides to approve the application, the Lead Department will grant pre-qualification to the applicant (thereby becoming a pre-qualified supplier) and enter its details on the Register.

b) The Lead Department may limit a pre-qualified supplier’s category(ies) of pre-qualification or project limit within the Register based on various criteria, which may include their company structure, field of expertise, experience, and/or demonstrated ability. Pre-qualification categories and project limits are described at Applying for pre-qualification.

c) Pre-qualification does not extend to related or subsidiary companies owned or controlled by the applicant and is not transferable to any other entity. Any such company should apply for pre-qualification in its own right.

d) Pre-qualification does not guarantee that the applicant will be engaged for any work.

5 Updating pre-qualifications

a) All pre-qualified suppliers must notify the Lead Department of any:

i) Significant change in their financial or technical ability;

ii) Change in their business (such as company name, contact details);

iii) Change to ownership or holding, including changes to any key personnel;

iv) Change to their registration details with their regulators (if any); and/or

v) Matters that could be reasonably anticipated to impact the integrity, reputation and probity of the Register, the Lead Department, or the State, including but not limited to:

  • finding/s of guilt in relation to a criminal matter (including plea/s of guilty without conviction),
  • pending or actual disciplinary and/or registration action, taken or likely to be taken against them or against their employees by any Regulator, Court, Tribunal or any other disciplinary body, including, but not limited to, IBAC, the Victorian Building Authority, the Building Licensing Authority and the Architects Board of Victoria; and
  • complaints made about the conduct of the supplier or its employees.

b) Individuals who are pre-qualified suppliers are required to notify the Lead Department of any change in their employment, or if they change the entity by which they operate (such as from a sole practitioner to a partnership or a company).

c) Notices must be sent to the Lead Department.

6 Duration of pre-qualification

a) A pre-qualification:

i) takes effect from the time that the Lead Department enters the details of the successful applicant on the Register; and

ii) remains in force until the Lead Department cancels the pre-qualification or dissolves the Register.

b) The Lead Department reserves the right to dissolve the Register at its discretion and at any time.

7 Review of the status of pre-qualified suppliers

a) A review of the status of a pre-qualified supplier may be initiated:

i) As part of a regular, periodic review undertaken by the Lead Department;

ii) At the request of a government client of the Lead Department;

iii) At the request of a pre-qualified supplier for a review of themselves in seeking to change their pre-qualification category(ies) or project limit;

iv) For pre-qualified suppliers listed on the sub-category Cladding rectification, at the request of the Victorian Building Authority, Cladding Safety Victoria, or other agency with an interest in this sub-category;

v) At any other time determined by the Lead Department.

b) Pre-qualified suppliers will be notified in writing of the result of any review.

c) Upon the completion of a review, the Lead Department may reclassify, suspend, or remove from the Register any pre-qualified supplier who, at any time, is considered to have:

i) Not complied with the requirements in the application or eligibility criteria;

ii) Not complied with these Conditions of Pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register;

iii) Failed to comply with any request by the Lead Department for information or documentation;

iv) Performed in an unsatisfactory manner;

v) Changed financial or technical capacity significantly;

vi) Engaged in conduct that, in the opinion of the Lead Department, impacts the integrity, reputation and probity of the CSR. Conduct may include, but are not limited to:

  • finding/s of guilt in relation to a criminal matter (including plea/s of guilty without conviction),
  • pending or actual disciplinary and/or registration action, taken or likely to be taken against them or against their employees by any Regulator, Court, Tribunal or any other disciplinary body, including, but not limited to, IBAC, the Victorian Building Authority, the Building Licensing Authority and the Architects Board of Victoria; and
  • complaints made about the conduct of the supplier or its employees.

and/or;

vii) Otherwise, at the Lead Department’s discretion, is no longer appropriate to be included in the Register.

8 Complaints

a) A person who believes that a pre-qualified supplier is not compliant with these Conditions of Pre-Qualification or the eligibility criteria may lodge a complaint with the Lead Department.

b) The procedure to consider complaints is set out at Complaint management procedure.

9 Right of Review

a) Applicants whose completed applications are not approved, or pre-qualified suppliers who have been reclassified or suspended from the Register may seek a review of the decision by writing to the Lead Department.

b) All requests for reviews of a decision must be received by the Lead Department in writing within 4 weeks of receipt of notification of the decision being reviewed, and must contain full details of the reasons and supporting documentation.

c) The Lead Department must, within 12 weeks after receipt of the request for review, determine the request and make such decision as it thinks appropriate. The Lead Department’s decision will be made by an executive officer within the Lead Department that is independent of those responsible for the Register, and will be final and binding on the applicant or pre-qualified supplier (as the case may be). The Lead Department: 

i) will notify the applicant or pre-qualified supplier (as the case may be) of the decision by notice in writing;

ii) is not required to provide reasons for its decision; and

iii) will not be liable for any costs or damages incurred in the exercise of any discretion or the making of any decision.

10 Contract Conditions

a) An inclusion on the Register does not assure an invitation to tender or an engagement of services.

b) Pre-qualification entitles a pre-qualified supplier to be considered for tender or an engagement of services. It does not remove the need for a supplier to fully comply with the conditions of tendering or other contract conditions that may apply to a particular project or tender invitation.

11 Use of Information

a) All applicants or pre-qualified suppliers consent to and agree that information obtained relating to them will be collected, used and disclosed as required and for the purposes of these Conditions of Pre-Qualification.

b) All information:

i)  provided by applicants or pre-qualified suppliers to:

(1) The Construction Supplier Register;

(2) The Construction Supplier Register sub-category Cladding rectification (where applicable); and/or

(3) The Residential Cladding Rectification Register (where applicable) through the operation of mutual recognition;

and/or

ii) collated or obtained in relation to applicants or pre-qualified suppliers by:

(1) The Residential Cladding Rectification Register through the operation of mutual recognition;

(2) The Construction Supplier Register (where applicable); and/or

(3) Any Regulator, Court, Tribunal or any other disciplinary body (if any), including, but not limited to, IBAC, the Victorian Building Authority, the Building Licensing Authority and the Architects Registration Board of Victoria will be used by the Lead Department, the Residential Cladding Rectification Register or the Construction Supplier Register to perform the functions identified within these Conditions of Pre-qualification.

c) The Residential Cladding Rectification Register and the Construction Supplier Register will share all information received by them regarding the applicants and/or the pre-qualified suppliers.

d) All persons who have access to the Construction Supplier Register will have access to and use of all information gathered or received by both the Construction Supplier Register and the Residential Cladding Rectification Register for pre-qualified suppliers that agree to be pre-qualified on both registers.

e) The Construction Supplier Register may use external assessors to assist with assessing new applications and reviews of pre-qualification. In those cases, the external assessors will be required to maintain confidentiality of all information received in accordance with these Conditions of Pre-qualification.

f) The Lead Department will not disclose or provide any information which is commercial in confidence or subject to the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) to any third party except:

i) where required to by, or in order to complete the functions and roles identified in these Conditions of Pre-qualification and this open invitation;

ii) with the written consent of the owner of that information;

iii) to the Lead Department’s legal and financial advisers on a confidential basis;

iv) where the information disclosed is already in the public domain other than due to a breach of these Conditions of Pre-qualification;

v) where the disclosure is required by Law;

vi) to other Victorian Public Entities or Ministers of the State in connection with this open invitation;

vii) to any public sector agency (of the State, any other state or territory or the Commonwealth) for the purposes of benchmarking;

viii) to the office of the Auditor General appointed under section 94A of the Constitution Act 1975 (Vic) or the ombudsman appointed under the Ombudsman Act 1973 (Vic);

ix) to comply with law, including the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic); or

x) to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

g) Pre-qualified suppliers may not advertise, promote, or publish their pre-qualification on any Register(s) without the prior written consent of the Lead Department.

h) The Lead Department may publish a list of pre-qualified suppliers on their website, and all applicants consent to being included on any such list if they are successful.

12 Acknowledgements

a) In performing its functions, the Lead Department must act fairly, but, subject to any mandatory step, is not bound to adopt any particular form or procedure.

b) The pre-qualified supplier acknowledges that registration does not result in:

i) continuity of the pre-qualification for the duration of the Register;

ii) an assurance that the pre-qualified supplier will be engaged to perform works; or

iii) a warranty or representation by the Lead Department that any business, engagements or work of any kind or quantity will be conducted by the pre-qualified supplier as a result of a pre-qualification.

13 Register subject to Government Policy

a) The Construction Supplier Register is subject to Victorian Government policy, as amended from time to time. The Lead Department may dissolve the Register by notice in writing to the pre-qualified suppliers if there is a change in government policy which, in the reasonable opinion of the Lead Department, has the effect of making the provision of the Register unviable, inappropriate or otherwise unsuitable.

14 Amendments

a) The Lead Department may from time to time and in its discretion amend, add to or replace:

i) the application forms, the eligibility criteria, and the requirements within them;

ii) these Conditions of Pre-qualification and the open invitation; and

iii) any information contained on the Register.

b) The Lead Department will not be held liable for any costs or damages incurred by an applicant or pre-qualified supplier in the exercise of the Lead Department’s discretion.

15 Jurisdiction

a) The law of the State of Victoria, Australia governs these Conditions of Pre-qualification and this Register.

16 Liability

a) All pre-qualified suppliers unconditionally and irrevocably release the State, the Lead Department and/or this Register and their employees, officers and agents from all liability arising out of, or in any way connected with:

i) this Register; and/or

ii) the information provided to users of this Register or users of the Construction Supplier Register, including but not limited to information provided pursuant to clauses 1 and 10 of these Conditions of Pre-qualification;

b) The State and the Lead Department give no warranty that by becoming a pre-qualified supplier that the supplier will be engaged by any users for any works or services.

c) The State and the Lead Department give no warranty that the information disclosed on the Register (including but not limited to the information provided pursuant to clauses 1 and 10 of these Conditions of Pre-qualification) is true and correct, suitable for any purpose, and disclaims all liability for any pre-qualified supplier or user’s use of information contained in this Register.

d) The State and the Lead Department will not be responsible at any time for any liabilities incurred or entered into by applicants or pre-qualified suppliers as a result of, or arising out of, their obligations under these Conditions of Pre-qualification.

17 Responsible persons

a) Any discretion to be exercised or duty to be performed by the Lead Department under these Conditions of Pre-Qualification, may be exercised or performed (as applicable) by the Manager, Construction Supplier Register, Commercial Division, Department of Treasury and Finance, including any person who occupies that office temporarily, or any officer of the Department of Treasury and Finance who becomes responsible for the functions of that position from time to time.

Help and support

Please contact the Construction Supplier Register if you need help understanding these conditions of pre-qualification to the Construction Supplier Register.

Reviewed 28/02/2023
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