In brief

The information that helps a contractor price the work properly the first time — without burying the brief in procurement theatre.

Source-led, not advice. This field note is an orientation aid. Follow the linked authority for regulatory, safety, tenure, conservation or commercial decisions.

“Price is not the sole factor when assessing value for money.”

Australian Government Department of Finance

Describe material and throughput

State the material, expected variability, target throughput and product specification. Include representative test information where it is lawful and appropriate to share.

Describe the site constraints

Access, working hours, interfaces with mobile plant, utilities, water, dust controls and shutdown windows can change both method and price.

Define the commercial edges

Make mobilisation, standby, consumables, wear parts, testing, acceptance and demobilisation explicit. Unpriced assumptions become variation arguments later.

Request a clean response

Ask each bidder to identify departures, lead time, personnel, equipment and comparable experience in the same order.

Questions people ask

Should I include production data?

Include enough verified information for the supplier to understand the duty, subject to confidentiality and site controls.

What makes bids comparable?

The same scope, assumptions, exclusions and response schedule for every bidder.

Does the cheapest bid always win?

Price is one input. Capability, availability, operating risk and whole-of-job cost also matter.

Where can I find supplier categories?

The supplier directory groups services from drilling and crushing to laboratories and rehabilitation.

Sources & next checks