No More 'Best and Final Offer' in Qld!

14 September 2014

The Queensland Government has removed ‘Best and Final Offer’ processes from all tendering procedures.

The ACA is very pleased to advise members that the Queensland State Government has decided to discontinue the practice of Best and Final Offer (BAFO) within government tenders.

This practice was causing uncertainty among member practices. It also raised privacy issues and added further downward pressure on already low fees. Details of the revised project tendering procedures are now under discussion and will be announced shortly. The ACA believes that improved tendering processes will lead to improved outcomes for all and a better built environment.

ACA advises any members asked to submit a revised tender under a BAFO process to decline and to ensure that the procurement officer understands that this no longer a compliant or a permissible practice. Any post-tender negotiations involving the government must accord in general with the Australian Standards Code of Tendering.

The ACA is pleased to have played a role in advocating for this important change, as part of a process led by the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects. We worked in close collaboration with other industry organisations to lobby the Queensland Government and to argue for fairer and more transparent procurement processes. Other collaborating organisations included Consult Australia, Engineers Australia, Master Builders Queensland, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors. The ACA was represented by Geoff Street and Carl Brooks who joined Richard Kirk, Paul Trotter, Catherine Baudet, Judith Gilmore and Michael Hartwich in this important initiative.

The ACA congratulates all involved and looks forward to continuing to work with the Queensland Government to ensure fair and effective tendering processes.