Major Aussie agencies face missing out on Government work
With just a month to go until the Rudd Government restricts its major public information campaigns to a central list of approved suppliers, some of Australia’s largest agencies have failed to get onto the list, Mumbrella can reveal.
From March 31, anyone who is not on the Communications Multi-User List list will not be eligible to pitch for campaigns worth more than $250,000.
Lindsay Tanner, the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, said: “Any supplier whether large or small, which can demonstrate the necessary experience or capacity to undertake work relating to Australian Governemnt advertising and information campaigns, can apply for inclusion.”
So far 26 ad agencies, 11 research agencies, seven PR agencies and two cultural comms agencies have made it onto the list.
Why should the Rudd Government restrict its major public information campaigns to a central list of approved suppliers?
Surely, the work should be given to the best agency for the job…not a list that means absolutely nothing.
The Population went through the process of submitting our application to the govt approved tender list only to receive a call yesterday from the Dept of Finance and Deregulation saying digital and social media agencies were excluded: The list was only for Advertising, PR and Research agencies.
They claimed that digital or social media projects will be briefed on a project by project basis.
My concern is that this will result in all digital and social media work falling to one of the approved advertising agencies that have a digital function!
@Gordon, They have a panel or approved suppliers because otherwise every time there is a piece of work they will have to assess way too many submissions. The panel acts as a filtering service so that they do not have to check out companies credentials every time there is a piece of work. The leg work has already been done in this regard.
The panel will definitely get renewed every so often so this list won’t be closed forever. Also, any work over $80k is subject to the free trade agreement with the US so you could see some US companies working on Aussie Govt campaigns
I know the money is nice but has anyone worked for the government. Project deadlines are only for the tender document. Once you start they go out the window as everyone fights over the solution. Eventually someone who has not been involved gets to approve the final job and makes a change. You start with a budget and always go over with variations. And the tender process. We’ve won work we never should have and lost work we should have got. For example we pitched on some work that had to be finished in two months. We were asked to sign a contract with penalties. We opted out of the project because it was not possible. They awarded the project elsewhere – it never finished. It nearly killed to company who won the contract.
Much better to work with people who you like and respect and who like and respect you. Where you get to deliver good work for good value.
@Daniel Oyston US companies? Clearly determined to be different then…
Bah, stop whinging, as Lindsay said – “Part of the purpose in publishing those suppliers that have already met the criteria for inclusion on the multi-use list now is to encourage other suppliers to apply now rather than wait until the last minute before the CMUL comes into operation”. They’re not excluding anyone, you’re just being slack. Except for you Tony. That’s bad luck/policy, but I guess that’s the price you pay for being a pure-play. I feel your pain.
Actually Tim, there is no deadline for agencies to join. If you talk to the friendly fellows at department of finance, they will tell you that agencies can still apply to be on the list after the April 1 commencement- but nice beat up.
Hi Liby,
Thanks for your note. As far as I can see I haven’t mentioned a deadline.
The list doesn’t close on April 1 – that’s when it comes into practice. If you’re not on it by that date, then you won’t be able to pitch for big contracts until you are.
As I mention in the final paragraph before listing the agencies, that’s a process that takes about ten weeks – according to the friendly fellows at the department of finance.
You can apply to go on the list at any time – but don’t leave it til there’s a juicy piece of work to be had. By the time the ten weeks are up you’ll probably miss out. You can call that a deadline if you like.
Cheers,
Tim – Mumbrella