Purpose of expression of interest
If the procurement for a TAFE’s construction works involves a two-stage go-to-market strategy, you will first need to develop a request for expression of interest (EOI).
An EOI allows you to assess whether respondents have the required capability, experience and capacity to undertake the project, and prepare a shortlist of suitable candidates from EOI respondents, before seeking detailed proposals in a request for tender (RFT).
An EOI respondent would not be engaged as a direct result of the EOI process, instead shortlisted respondents will be invited to participate in the RFT process. Generally, EOIs are focused on understanding the capability and experience of tenderers relevant to the project, including the current capacity to undertake the proposed works. Whereas RFTs typically assess tenderers’ proposed detailed binding solution to deliver the project.
Releasing and evaluating an EOI
Guidance on releasing EOI documentation, including forward notice requirements, and evaluating responses, is available.
Key components of an EOI
The exact contents of the EOI and level of detail within will depend on the selected procurement model, as well as the project's size and complexity.
In general, the EOI document should:
- introduce the project, the procurement model and the tender process
- outline the rationale for the project including key objectives, strategic alignment with the TAFE and any specific service need the project must address
- outline the project scope including the scope of works, project timing, design principles and procurement packaging or staging (if applicable)
- provide site-specific details including zoning, environmental assessments, permits, site investigations (including geotechnical conditions and existing facility assessments), community consultation and relevant local infrastructure capacity (such as utility connections and site access and egress)
- detail other key project issues (these may include ICT integration requirements, third-party disruption minimisation and management, and sustainability requirements)
- outline key aspects of the commercial framework including proposed commercial structure, commercial principles, a summary of risk allocation (if applicable), commercial development opportunities (if applicable) and strategic value creation opportunities (if applicable)
- outline the procurement process including expressions of interest, request for tender, negotiation and contract execution, as well as the associated time frames for each of these stages
- proposed timelines including expected construction commencement, completion of delivery stages and expected operational commencement for any project outputs
- provide details on the evaluation process including required information, evaluation criteria (including those elements that will be a pass/fail and those that are weighted), and additional evaluation considerations (such as value-add initiatives).
Additional components of an EOI
In addition to the key components of an EOI, you should also include:
- terms and conditions of the tender process
- details of the project team and advisors
- probity considerations
- key project contacts and process for raising queries and requesting clarifications
- EOI response deadline, method of submission and evaluation timeline
- glossary of key terms used
- conflict of interest and confidentiality forms (in some cases, you may request respondents to complete these prior to issuing the EOI documentation)
- returnable schedules aligned to the evaluation criteria
- details of relevant government procurement policies that apply to the project.
Key policy considerations
When developing and prior to releasing the EOI documentation, you should consider the applicability of key policies outlined below:
- Ministerial Directions for Public Construction Procurement
- Social Procurement Framework
- Local Jobs First Policy
- Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Guidance on these and other key policies which may be applicable to the development and release of the EOI is available.
Updated