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Information Industries Bureau

SME Participation Scheme

The SME Participation Scheme is a new requirement for Queensland Government procurement of information and communications technology (ICT) products and services. It replaces the Industry Development Statement scheme under Information Standard 13. This new scheme aims to help ICT small to medium enterprises (SMEs) gain greater access to the Queensland Government market.

How does the SME Participation Scheme work?

The SME Participation Scheme has three components:

  1. An SME Offers requirement for smaller ICT purchases
  2. An SME Participation Score requirement for larger ICT purchases
  3. An Industry Development Questionnaire for inclusion in all ICT tenders.

The first two components operate within three threshold levels:

  1. Under $150,000 – the SME Offers requirement applies
  2. Between $150,000 and $250,000 – agencies can choose either the SME Offers requirement or the SME Participation Score requirement
  3. Above $250,000 – the SME Participation Score requirement applies.

SME Offers
Under the SME Offers requirement, agencies are required to obtain offers from at least two SME’s (unless competitive offers cannot be obtained) 

SME Participation Score
SME Participation Scores are calculated by comparing each tenderer’s nominated percentage of the contract to be paid to SMEs (the SME Participation Level). There is no mandatory minimum SME Participation Level, however competitive scoring will be calculated for tenderers proposing SME Participation Levels of greater than 10%. 

For purchases under $2 million the SME Participation Score contributes 10% to the final tender score and for purchases over $2 million it contributes 15% to the final tender score.

Audits will be conducted on a percentage of contracts to confirm actual versus proposed SME Participation Levels prior to final payment. If companies are found not to have met their nominated levels the proportion of differentiation between actual and proposed levels will be withheld from final payment.

Note: Sole supplier, limited supplier or panel arrangements are exempt from the SME Participation Score.

Industry Development Questionnaire - All ICT Tenders
The Industry Development Questionnaire is a compliance requirement of all formal tenders. The information provided is commercial in confidence and does not form part of tender evaluation.

SME Participation Scheme Tools

The following tools are now available: 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is an SME?
For the purposes of the SME Participation Scheme, an SME is defined as any enterprise with less than 500 employees worldwide. Subsidiaries of larger companies will be classified according to their parent company employee levels.

How can I identify appropriate SMEs?
A Capability Register is currently being developed to assist agencies and tenderers to identify appropriate SMEs for tendering opportunities.

What will the information in the Industry Development Questionnaire be used for?
The information you provide in the Industry Development Questionnaire will be used to assist the IIB in the development and delivery of programs relating to industry development and partnering. It is your opportunity to let us know about your business activities in Queensland. Your information will be used for internal purposes only and will not be passed on to any third party.


 

Last updated: Wednesday, April 09, 2008