DUBBO REGIONAL COUNCIL JOINS INDIGENOUS SOURCING PANEL
Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) has taken another step in implementing its Local Purchasing Policy, after joining the Indigenous sourcing panel Supply Nation – the country’s leading database of verified Indigenous businesses. As part of DRC’s commitment to engage with more local suppliers, the Local Purchasing Policy outlines the necessity to not only advertise tenders and quotes through VendorPanel, but to utilise an Indigenous sourcing panel also.
Director Organisational Performance, Dean Frost, says these platforms allows a high degree of transparency, probity, and reporting of outcomes of the Local Purchasing Policy by capturing data from these platforms.
“To ensure Council can support local Indigenous businesses through its Local Purchasing Policy, we’ve applied for membership with Supply Nation, and are now working with the specialised panel to advertise work offers to certified and registered Indigenous businesses,” said Mr Frost.
“We recognise the value of a diverse supply chain to drive innovation and flexibility within our organisation, and we also believe that by ensuring that our procurement princesses include Indigenous businesses, we can contribute to greater economic empowerment of First Australians and contribute to closing the gap.”
Supply Nation is FREE for suppliers to join, and any local businesses registered will be able to have their goods and services considered for DRC projects, under the Local Purchasing Policy rules. This means Local Indigenous businesses, like all local business will have a 10% price advantage for projects up to $150,000 – among other benefits.
“It’s important that if you’re an Indigenous business, you register for Supply Nation and Vendor Panel. It’s free, and will guarantee that you’re considered by Council for big projects. Publically advertised quotes and tenders will also be placed on VendorPanel, so by joining both, we know we’re considering Indigenous businesses too,” said Mr Frost.
Supply Nation’s CEO Laura Berry says Supply Nation’s mission is to facilitate, encourage, and promote business between corporate Australia and Government agencies with Indigenous owner businesses, and DRC’s membership expands opportunities for Indigenous businesses.
“We are delighted to welcome Dubbo Regional Council to the Supply Nation community, and look forward to working with them to develop their supplier diversity footprint. The measure of our collective success will be in the value of transactions between DRC and Indigenous businesses,” said Ms Berry.
Businesses can go to supplynation.org.au to register for free. When signed up, businesses may also be able to see quotes and tenders from other organisations around the country, in addition to those advertised by DRC.
Last Edited: 17 Jul 2023