Tenders and contracts
Information for suppliers and contractors
Trading with Transport and Main Roads
The department offers work through a tender process and various construction and maintenance contract arrangements.
Depending on the contract type, some tenders will only be considered if the tenderer is currently prequalified. The prequalification level of the tenderer must be equal to or greater than the advertised project level for the works.
Tenders
Transport and Main Roads generally calls for tenders for its construction projects. A number of projects, however, are delivered under sole invitee arrangements with local governments or with Transport and Main Roads' own commercial units (RoadTek).
Tender offers and listings are found at the QTenders and Building and Asset Services eTender.
Tender information and documentation are available on these websites.
Advertisements and prequalification
Advertisements inviting tenders for Transport and Main Roads projects state the minimum prequalification levels of organisations for the issue of tender documents. These documents are issued on request, only to appropriately prequalified organisations.
The prequalification level of the tenderer must not be less than the advertised project level for the works.
Project delivery options
Transport Infrastructure Project Delivery System (TIPDS) determines the delivery options for major works and projects.
We recognise the need for a variety of delivery methods and to accommodate this, we have developed a series of contract documents:
- Transport Infrastructure Contract
- Minor Infrastructure Contract
- Road Asset Management Contract
- Small Scale Minor Works Contract
- Road Maintenance Performance Contract
- Collaborative Project Agreement
They are currently available in our technical publications area.
Electronic tendering
Transport and Main Roads is now using electronic tendering instead of a manual paper-based process for issuing and accepting tenders.
Transport and Main Roads recognises the benefits associated with electronic tendering systems.
Proposed major roadworks to competitive tender report
The Proposed major works to competitive tender report comprises contracts valued at $1 million and above intended to be procured over the forward 12 month period. The report is updated on a quarterly basis and includes road and transport infrastructure contracts proposed to be let by the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
The latest tender report can be viewed on the Transport and Main Roads website.
Queensland Government Procurement Policy requirements
The Queensland Government, through the Queensland Procurement Policy, is committed to maximising benefits for Queenslanders by using procurement to support local jobs and businesses to drive economic, environmental and social outcomes. This includes ensuring quality, safe workplaces for people engaged on major state government projects, through the implementation of Best Practice Principles (BPPs). They apply to projects with a project value over $100 million (BPP Projects).
The BPPs address:
- workplace health and safety systems and standards
- commitment to apprentices and trainees
- best practice industrial relations.
Best Practice Industry Conditions
In order to address best practice industrial relations, the Queensland Government are rolling out Best Practice Industry Conditions (BPICs), which are to be considered on BPP Projects. In summary, the BPICs:
- outline the Queensland Government's expectation for best practice employment conditions for workers performing work on-site on BPP Projects
- require contractors to demonstrate a best endeavours approach for subcontractors; the extent to which this is demonstrated will be assessed through the tender process
- help to ensure that the objectives of the best practice principles are achieved, particularly in relation to best practice industrial relations, to minimise disruption and resulting time and cost implications to BPP Projects
As a result, TMR has developed a specific guidance document - Best Practice Industry Conditions for Transport Civil Construction Projects (Transport BPIC) for BPP Projects delivered by TMR. The Transport BPIC is referenced within the Key Result Areas outlined below (KRA 1: Quality Jobs).
The Transport BPIC may also assist the project to:
- attract and retain a workforce with optimal levels of skills and experience
- promote positive, collaborative and productive interactions with relevant stakeholders.
From time to time, based on factors such as project value or type of works to be performed, TMR will develop a project specific BPIC document that is applicable only to that project or program. To date, the following project specific BPIC has been developed:
Applying BPPs on transport infrastructure projects
Transport and Main Roads has introduced 5 Key Result Areas (KRAs) for use on BPP Projects which are designed to motivate better outcomes.
These are:
| Key result area | Focus area | Intent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quality jobs | Progressing best practice industrial relations (including the Transport BPIC), inclusive and diverse workforces and opportunities to invest to build the sector's capability particularly through a strong commitment to trainees and apprentices |
| 2 | Safe Workplaces | Prioritising best practice workplace health and safety systems and standards and a culture of safety for all |
| 3 | Local supply chains and manufacturing | Actively supporting quality local Queensland suppliers and industries on Queensland Government projects |
| 4 | Sustainability | Advancing infrastructure sustainability outcomes that enable social, environmental and economic benefits |
| 5 | Project Delivery Optimisation | Applying innovative technologies, techniques and industry initiatives to drive better project delivery success, productivity and optimisation |
What this means for tenderers
Tenderers on BPP projects are being asked to provide different and additional information, including:
- a response against the BPPs, including best practice industrial relations
- the use of Reputable Suppliers through the project’s supply chain
- the intended project workforce profile.
Enhanced reporting requirements throughout project delivery will ensure the standards and expectations committed to are being met.
It is important to note that the Transport BPIC is a guidance document and is not mandatory. Tenderers can demonstrate the intent and outcomes in any manner they choose to nominate.
For more information on the KRAs and the Transport BPIC, please contact collaborativecontracting@tmr.qld.gov.au. If you are involved in a current tender process, please contact the Tender Manager.
- Last updated 12 January 2023