Annual Report 2015–2016

ACCOUNTABILITY
PURCHASING AND PROCUREMENT
NHMRC performed its procurement activities in accordance with the Commonwealth Financial Framework,
specifically the Commonwealth Procurement Rules (CPRs). NHMRC’s Accountable Authority Instructions,
as well as related policy and procedural manuals, support the CPRs and are periodically reviewed for
consistency with the CPRs and the Commonwealth Procurement Framework.
Additionally, NHMRC has worked closely with other agencies resulting in cooperative procurement
and contracting activities. NHMRC will continue, in the whole-of government context, to comply with
coordinated procurement initiatives, which facilitate reduced tendering costs and savings through
economies of scale.
NHMRC builds capacity within the agency by providing procurement and contract management training and
circulating procurement and whole-of-government advice from the Department of Finance.
COMPETITIVE TENDERING AND CONTRACTING
NHMRC publishes information relating to significant procurement activity it expects to undertake in 2015–16
in its annual procurement plan, which is available on the Australian Government’s procurement information
system, AusTender. Details of significant NHMRC contracts and information on expenditure consultancies
are also publicly available through AusTender.
PART 3 operating environment
EXEMPT CONTRACTS
NHMRC has no contracts or standing offers that were exempted from publication on AusTender.
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE ACCESS CLAUSES
NHMRC has not entered into any contracts in 2015–16 that do not provide for the Auditor-General to have
access to the contractor’s premises. NHMRC’s contract templates include standard clauses providing the
Auditor-General with appropriate access to a contractor’s premises.
PROCUREMENT INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES
NHMRC supports small business participation in the Commonwealth Government procurement market.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Small Enterprise participation statistics are available on the
Department of Finance’s website: www.finance.gov.au/procurement/statistics-on-commonwealthpurchasing-contracts/.
NHMRC recognises the importance of ensuring that small businesses are paid on time. The results of the
Survey of Australian Government Payments to Small Business are available on the Treasury’s website:
www.treasury.gov.au. NHMRC achieved an on-time average of 99% of all payments to small businesses or
individuals in 2015–16.
Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015–2016
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