{"id":60745,"date":"2026-09-21T08:02:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T08:02:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/?p=60745"},"modified":"2026-09-21T08:02:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T08:02:52","slug":"evaluate-suppliers-government-contracts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/buyer-guides\/evaluate-suppliers-government-contracts","title":{"rendered":"How Do Procurement Teams Evaluate Suppliers for Government Contracts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"60745\" class=\"elementor elementor-60745\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7974738 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7974738\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bd9af1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1bd9af1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Quick Answer:<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5cbf0a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5cbf0a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146200055 BCX0\">Procurement teams evaluate suppliers for government contracts by testing whether each supplier can deliver value for money, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146200055 BCX0\">comply with<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146200055 BCX0\"> procurement rules, manage risk, meet service requirements, support policy <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146200055 BCX0\">objectives<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW146200055 BCX0\">, and provide evidence of reliable performance. Price matters, but it is only one part of supplier evaluation. Capability, probity, compliance, sustainability, service continuity, reporting, and contract management all influence the final decision.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f17143 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3f17143\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58a7c1a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"58a7c1a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Government procurement is designed to do more than find the lowest quote. For government agencies, every purchase needs to stand up to scrutiny. That means procurement teams must be able to show why a supplier was chosen, how the decision delivered value for money, and whether the supplier can meet public sector expectations over the life of the contract.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">This is especially important in categories such as office supplies procurement Australia, where agencies often need thousands of everyday workplace products delivered reliably across multiple sites. The supplier may be providing stationery, paper, toner, technology accessories, cleaning products, kitchen consumables, education supplies, or workplace essentials. On paper, these may look like simple purchases. In practice, they affect continuity, compliance, administration time, staff productivity, and budget control.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The scale of government purchasing also raises the stakes. The Department of Finance states that Commonwealth entities publish contracts on AusTender once they meet <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.finance.gov.au\/government\/advertising\/austender-reporting-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">reporting thresholds<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, including $10,000 or more for non-corporate Commonwealth entities. AusTender also provides centralised publication of Australian Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans, standing offers and awarded contracts. In a market this visible and highly governed, supplier evaluation must be structured, documented and defensible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa4f238 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fa4f238\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fc27c7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3fc27c7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-843507b elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"843507b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-title\">AusTender reporting threshold for non-corporate Commonwealth entity contracts<\/div>\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\">$<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"\" data-to-value=\"10000\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">+<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07a8ca2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"07a8ca2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2fc323 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"a2fc323\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-title\">actively trading businesses in Australia in 30 June 2025, according to the ABS<\/div>\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"\" data-to-value=\"2.73\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">M<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7f0480 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c7f0480\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07c1bd0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-counter\" data-id=\"07c1bd0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"counter.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-title\">of Australian businesses were small businesses in June 2025, based on ASBFEO analysis of ABS data<\/div>\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-counter-number-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-prefix\"><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number\" data-duration=\"\" data-to-value=\"97.3\" data-from-value=\"0\" data-delimiter=\",\">0<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-counter-number-suffix\">%<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13e79e9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"13e79e9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3cc3cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c3cc3cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Government Supplier Evaluation Works <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e86f9ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e86f9ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Supplier evaluation usually begins before any response is scored. Procurement teams define the need, confirm the applicable policy framework, set evaluation criteria, identify risks, and decide what evidence suppliers must provide. For Commonwealth entities, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.finance.gov.au\/government\/procurement\/commonwealth-procurement-rules\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Commonwealth Procurement Rules<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> set the foundation. They require procurement to be focused on value for money, ethical, efficient, effective and economical, transparent and accountable, and supportive of broader government objectives.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Once suppliers respond to a tender, request for quote, panel opportunity, or contract refresh, the evaluation team assesses each offer against the published criteria. This commonly includes mandatory compliance checks, qualitative scoring, pricing analysis, risk assessment, reference checks, and sometimes presentations, product demonstrations, site visits, or clarification questions.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4e8e3c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b4e8e3c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ee4bcb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6ee4bcb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6 Factors Procurement Teams Use to Evaluate Suppliers <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f4a842 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0f4a842\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">1. Value for Money, Not Just Lowest Price<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Value for money is the central test in government contracts. It includes price, but it also considers quality, fitness for purpose, service levels, risk, whole of life costs, sustainability, transition requirements, and the cost of managing the supplier. A cheaper supplier may score poorly if their catalogue coverage is limited, delivery reliability is uncertain, reporting is weak, or the agency needs extra internal resources to manage the account.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In government office procurement, value for money often means balancing unit pricing with practical service outcomes. Can the supplier support multiple delivery locations? Can it provide consolidated invoicing? Does it offer product rationalisation to reduce duplication? Can it help agencies stay within approved product lists or contract arrangements? These factors can reduce administration costs even when the headline price is not the only consideration.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">2. Compliance With Procurement Rules and Contract Requirements<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Before a supplier can be considered competitive, they must usually meet the mandatory requirements. These may include insurance levels, workplace health and safety obligations, financial viability, privacy and data handling requirements, modern slavery reporting, ethical conduct expectations, and agreement to contract terms. For panels and standing arrangements, suppliers may also need to show they can meet reporting, audit, price review, and customer service obligations.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ab882a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1ab882a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c57d98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c57d98\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><a class=\"Hyperlink SCXW72515364 BCX0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/government-customers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"TextRun Underlined SCXW72515364 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW72515364 BCX0\" data-ccp-charstyle=\"Hyperlink\">The COS difference<\/span><\/span><\/a><span class=\"TextRun SCXW72515364 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW72515364 BCX0\">: <\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW72515364 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW72515364 BCX0\">COS supports government customers<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW72515364 BCX0\"> with contract aware account management, reliable delivery, competitive pricing, and workplace supply solutions designed for public sector procurement requirements.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP Selected SCXW72515364 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2be9f6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d2be9f6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-865380f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"865380f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">3. Capability, Capacity and Delivery Reliability<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Government agencies need suppliers that can deliver consistently, not just win the tender. Evaluation teams look for evidence that the supplier has the systems, people, stock availability, logistics network, help desk support, and account management structure to meet demand. This is particularly important for everyday categories where small service failures quickly become operational issues, such as paper shortages, toner delays, cleaning supply gaps, or missed deliveries to regional sites.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For office supplies procurement Australia, capability may be assessed through warehouse coverage, delivery timeframes, order tracking, live stock visibility, customer service availability, backorder management, and the ability to support large, decentralised teams. The supplier\u2019s ecommerce platform can also matter. Government buyers often need approved product lists, user permissions, favourites baskets, order history, scheduled orders, and reporting that helps keep purchases aligned to procurement policy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">4. Risk Management and Business Continuity<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Risk is assessed throughout supplier evaluation. Procurement teams consider whether a supplier could fail to deliver, breach contract terms, create reputational risk, disrupt agency operations, or increase cost over time. They may review financial stability, supply chain resilience, complaint handling, cybersecurity practices, subcontractor controls, and disaster recovery plans.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In a government setting, risk is not limited to whether the goods arrive. It also includes whether the supplier can provide transparent reporting, meet probity expectations, maintain records, escalate issues quickly, and support contract managers with accurate performance data. A strong supplier makes the contract easier to manage. A weak supplier creates hidden administrative work.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">5. Sustainability and Broader Policy Outcomes<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Modern government procurement is increasingly expected to support broader policy outcomes. Environmental sustainability, local economic participation, First Nations business engagement, ethical supply chains, and small business participation can all be relevant, depending on the procurement. The Australian Government response to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Procurement Inquiry stated that government procures around $70 billion each year in goods and services and that SMEs represent more than 85% of government suppliers.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/social-responsibility\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainability<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is also becoming more explicit in procurement decisions. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water\u2019s (DCCEEW) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dcceew.gov.au\/environment\/protection\/waste\/sustainable-procurement\/sustainable-procurement-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainable Procurement Guide<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> states that nearly half of global greenhouse gas emissions stem from the creation and use of products, and that more than 70% of a product\u2019s environmental impact is locked in at the design stage.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ed8268 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4ed8268\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39d8e4f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39d8e4f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW267072242 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267072242 BCX0\">Pro tip: <\/span><\/span><\/strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW267072242 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267072242 BCX0\">When evaluating workplace supply partners, ask for practical evidence of sustainability support, such as recycled product ranges, product substitution advice, packaging reduction, emissions reporting, supplier diversity initiatives, and support for agency policy <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267072242 BCX0\">objectives<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW267072242 BCX0\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7211a87 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7211a87\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3151654 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3151654\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><span data-contrast=\"none\">6. Contract Management Support and Reporting<\/span><\/h3><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A supplier\u2019s job does not end when the contract is awarded. Procurement teams assess how the supplier will support implementation, onboarding, performance reviews, issue resolution, reporting, and continuous improvement. For large or multi-site agencies, this may include contract management plans, transition schedules, account review meetings, service level reporting, product usage analysis, and recommendations to reduce cost or improve compliance.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In everyday procurement categories, reporting can be the difference between controlled spend and leakage. A strong supplier can help agencies understand what is being ordered, by whom, from which location, and against which cost centre. That visibility supports budget management, contract compliance, and better decisions about standardised products.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d07fbc0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d07fbc0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-debe191 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"debe191\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Supplier Evaluation Criteria at a Glance <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-133801f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"133801f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<table style=\"font-weight: 400;\" data-tablestyle=\"MsoTableGrid\" data-tablelook=\"1696\" aria-rowcount=\"7\" aria-colcount=\"2\"><tbody><tr aria-rowindex=\"2\"><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Value for money<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Competitive pricing, whole of life cost, quality, service outcomes, and reduced administration.<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr aria-rowindex=\"3\"><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Compliance<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Insurance, contract acceptance, WHS, privacy, probity, ethical conduct, and mandatory policy requirements.<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr aria-rowindex=\"4\"><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Capability<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Stock range, ordering systems, delivery network, account support, help desk access, and implementation experience.<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr aria-rowindex=\"5\"><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Risk<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Financial stability, supply chain resilience, issue escalation, business continuity, and transparent performance management.<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr aria-rowindex=\"6\"><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Policy outcomes<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainability, SME participation, First Nations business support, ethical sourcing, and Australian industry benefits.<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><tr aria-rowindex=\"7\"><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Contract management<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/td><td data-celllook=\"0\"><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reporting, review meetings, usage analysis, continuous improvement, and proactive support.<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27f895e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"27f895e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc7f943 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cc7f943\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How Suppliers Can Make Evaluation Easier <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b996827 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b996827\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The strongest suppliers make it easy for government buyers to evaluate them. That means responding clearly to the criteria, avoiding generic claims, and providing evidence that maps directly to the agency\u2019s needs. A supplier should show how its systems work, what service levels it can meet, how it manages stock and delivery risk, and how it supports compliance after the contract is awarded.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For workplace supplies, practical evidence is especially persuasive. This could include sample reports, implementation plans, customer service models, product substitution processes, sustainability credentials, catalogue controls, user permission settings, and examples of how the supplier has supported similar government customers. COS is a panellist on the Whole of Australian Government Stationery and Office Supplies Panel. The Department of Finance notes that the arrangement is designed to reduce costs, streamline ordering systems, decrease administrative costs, optimise savings, and support policy objectives.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-94cd9d0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"94cd9d0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-840a3af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"840a3af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f20e09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"6f20e09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1160\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1160\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> How do procurement teams evaluate suppliers for government contracts? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1160\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7431c7c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7431c7c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c900b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c900b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW244372898 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW244372898 BCX0\">They assess suppliers against published criteria, usually including value for money, compliance, capability, risk, delivery performance, sustainability, and contract management support. The final decision must be documented and defensible.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1161\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1161\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Is lowest price the main factor in government supplier evaluation?  <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1161\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0aaf40d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0aaf40d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d60029 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d60029\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW72585555 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW72585555 BCX0\">No. Price is important, but government procurement focuses on value for money. A higher priced supplier may be preferred if they reduce risk, improve service, lower administration costs, or deliver better whole of life value.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1162\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1162\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What evidence should suppliers provide in a government tender?  <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1162\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c9a7c3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8c9a7c3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa9229c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aa9229c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW237864692 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW237864692 BCX0\">Useful evidence includes service level commitments, case studies, delivery capability, financial and compliance documents, sustainability credentials, risk controls, implementation plans, reporting examples, and references from similar customers.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW237864692 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1163\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1163\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> Why is risk assessment important in supplier evaluation? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1163\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b6b93d e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7b6b93d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e6d49e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e6d49e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW10878300 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW10878300 BCX0\">Risk assessment helps agencies avoid service failures, contract disputes, compliance issues, reputational damage, and unexpected costs. It tests whether a supplier can deliver reliably across the contract term.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW10878300 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1164\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1164\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> How does sustainability affect government procurement decisions? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1164\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b413e0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3b413e0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bc1ade elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bc1ade\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW175400609 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW175400609 BCX0\">Sustainability can influence value for money where environmental impacts, product lifecycle, ethical sourcing, packaging, emissions, waste reduction, and broader government policy outcomes are relevant to the procurement.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW175400609 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-1165\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"6\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-1165\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> What should government agencies look for in an office supplies supplier?  <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-1165\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1da7814 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1da7814\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90b46dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"90b46dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\">Agencies should look for reliable delivery, broad product range, contrac<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\">t aware <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\">account management, transparent reporting, easy online ordering, <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\">consolidated<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\"> invoicing, strong customer service, and support for procurement policy <\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\">objectives<\/span><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW233822243 BCX0\">.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW233822243 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37f61c9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"37f61c9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4efa02a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4efa02a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Make government office procurement simpler. <\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ed2a7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ed2a7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>COS supports government agencies with reliable workplace supplies, dedicated account management, competitive pricing, and procurement aware service across Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-413a9a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"413a9a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Set up your COS account today:<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e59cb82 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"e59cb82\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/signin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Get Started<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Evaluate suppliers for government contracts with criteria covering value for money, compliance, capability, risk, sustainability and service delivery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":60747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3560],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buyer-guides"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60745"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60745\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60751,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60745\/revisions\/60751"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cos.net.au\/c\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}