23 November 2012

AusAID received a very large number of tenders in response to the AAS Request for Tender, of which approximately 15 per cent were Type A (large companies) tenders and 85 per cent were Type B (small companies and individuals) tenders. This very positive response reflects the high level of interest in working with the Australian aid program.

Due to the large volume of tenders, the evaluation phase of the tender process has had to be extended.

In order to expedite the evaluation process, tenders are being progressively evaluated by type and category in a staged process.

Type A

AusAID is proceeding with evaluation of Type A tenders initially in order to meet the immediate demand for aid advisory services. Evaluation of these tenders is expected to be completed by 31 December 2012, with contracts incrementally executed from November 2012 onwards. Details of contracts executed with successful Type A tenderers will be published at www.austender.gov.au.

Type B

Evaluations of Type B tenders will not be completed prior to the expiry of the tender validity period on 3 February 2013. AusAID will be contacting Type B tenderers by email shortly to request an extension to the validity of their tenders through to 30 June 2013. The evaluation of all Type B tenders is expected to be completed by 30 June 2013, with contracts incrementally executed from February 2013 onwards. Nothing prevents Type B tenderers from approaching successful Type A tenderers should you wish to investigate opportunities for sub-contracting. The full panel is expected to be operational by 30 June 2013.