Supporting purposeful public procurement

The Queensland Government values suppliers that share its commitment to achieving strong outcomes for Queensland, and these businesses are at the front of the queue in procurement under the Queensland Procurement Policy (QPP) 2026.

What is purposeful public procurement

Purposeful public procurement is about using government purchasing power to deliver value that goes beyond price alone. When the Queensland Government buys goods and services, we consider how procurement can support broader economic, environmental, social and governance outcomes that benefit all Queenslanders.

Through the QPP 2026, the government uses its procurement investment to achieve these outcomes. This means that when you respond to a government procurement opportunity, it is important to demonstrate how your business supports the relevant purposeful public procurement outcomes requested in the quote or tender.

How it's part of value for money

The QPP 2026 integrates purposeful public procurement into how we define and assess value for money. Procurement decisions consider:

  • cost factors – including whole-of-life costs (acquisition, operating, maintenance, disposal)
  • non-cost factors – including supplier capability, experience, quality, fitness for purpose and risk management
  • purposeful public procurement – pursuing relevant government objectives, targets and commitments outlined in the QPP's 5 strategic pillars (Part 1).

It is not necessary to pursue every government objective in a single procurement. Instead, buyers will identify which economic, environmental, social and governance outcomes are most relevant to each procurement strategy and evaluation approach.

How it applies to different procurement types

Routine procurement (low value and low risk)
Government buyers must invite at least one local supplier, small and family business, or Queensland regional business to respond to every quote or tender, unless this is impractical (with reasons documented). This may include suppliers on common-use supply arrangements.

Significant procurement (high value and/or high risk—agency thresholds cannot be lower than $500,000 including GST)
Government buyers must apply a purposeful public procurement evaluation criterion to significant procurement activities unless there is a documented reason why it cannot be applied. This criterion:

  • must include between 2 and 4 of the purposeful public procurement outcomes outlined in the QPP 2026
  • carries a maximum weighting of between 10% and 20% of the total evaluation
  • assigns each selected outcome a weighting of between 5% and 10%.

The evaluation assesses how the supplier's response contributes to achieving the specific outcomes listed in the individual tender or quote.

Responding to tenders

When preparing to respond to significant government procurement opportunities, be ready to respond and provide supporting information to demonstrate how your business aligns with the specific outcomes listed in the quote or tender.

When completing your response:

  • address only the specific outcome listed in the tender (when responding to the purposeful public procurement evaluation criterion)
  • provide concrete examples of what you're already doing or what you can commit to delivering
  • have evidence ready (e.g. policies, processes, procedures, plans, systems, references, certificates of compliance) as we may request it
  • be specific and realistic about your commitments.

For more information about how purposeful public procurement approach apply to a specific tender and how best to respond, contact the contact officer as outlined in the tender request.

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