How will my unsolicited proposal be assessed?

To ensure consistency and transparency across Government, DEW assesses unsolicited proposals in accordance with the DTF Guidelines for Assessment of Unsolicited Proposals, which seeks to achieve the following Government objectives:

Ensuring the benefits of the project are maximised for South Australians;
Promoting the development of unique, innovative ideas by the private and community sector to support economic development, jobs creation and meeting community needs;
Ensuring an open, transparent and far process that involves a high standard of probity and public accountability;
Ensuring value for money for DEW and Government is achieved; and
Ensuring that the private party’s intellectual property is respected.

DEW assesses unsolicited proposals in three stages. Stages 2 and 3 may be conducted concurrently at DEW’s sole discretion. Please note that DEW reserves the right to end consideration of the proposal, go to a competitive market-based process or withdraw from exclusive negotiations at any stage of the process.

Stage 1: Initial proposal

DEW will ensure that your application form and any supporting documentation is complete and will assess whether your proposal satisfactorily meets the five criteria and is viable under any relevant legislation or policy. You may be requested to provide further detail if required.

A Stage 1 Assessment report is submitted to an internal panel, the DEW Unsolicited Proposals Governance Committee (Governance Committee), to enable a determination on whether your proposal:

Meets the criteria and should proceed to Stage 2;
Is not suitable for consideration on an exclusive basis but may be suitable for a competitive market process; or
Does not meet the criteria or is not otherwise suitable for further consideration and should not proceed.

DEW will seek to ensure that the first stage of the process takes no more than 45 days (commencing from when DEW has determined that sufficient information has been provided to enable assessment) and that you are notified in writing of the outcome of Stage 1.

Stage 2: Exclusive negotiation and detailed proposal

In Stage 2, DEW will conduct a detailed assessment of the feasibility of your proposal, including how it will be delivered and whether it represents value for money for DEW or Government.

A Case Manager will be assigned to coordinate the Stage 2 Assessment process and will contact you to establish the terms and conditions of your participation. This may include meeting with you to:

Obtain more information about your proposal;
Inform you about communication protocols, community engagement and any public consultations that may be required;
Obtain information about and manage any conflicts of interest or confidential information;
Inform you of your obligations, including whether you need to complete an Industry Participation Plan; and
Inform you of the estimated timeframes for Stage 2 Assessment.

As the proponent, it is your responsibility to develop a detailed business proposal, provide all supporting information to enable DEW’s assessment against the five criteria and address any relevant legislative requirements, risks or issues raised by the Governance Committee.

The Case Manager will coordinate any assessments in relation to your proposal that may be required by DEW. Depending on the nature of your proposal, the Case Manager may liaise with other Government agencies or third parties about your proposal. This may include a business viability assessment through the South Australian Government Financing Authority (SAFA). This will be undertaken on a strict, need-to-know basis and in accordance with confidentiality protocols.

The Case Manager will submit a Stage 2 Assessment report to the Governance Committee to enable a determination on whether your proposal:

Meets the criteria and should proceed to Stage 3;
Is not suitable for consideration on an exclusive basis but may be suitable for a competitive market process; or
Does not meet the criteria or is not otherwise suitable for further consideration and should not proceed.

You will be advised in writing of the outcome of Stage 2 Assessment. Depending on the nature of your proposal, additional advice may need to be prepared for the Minister and/or Cabinet to determine whether the proposal should proceed to Stage 3.

Stage 3: Contract negotiation

In Stage 3, DEW, the proponent and any other relevant parties will negotiate the final legal, financial, commercial or technical terms of your proposal and prepare to execute any formal project tenure, contract or other documentation.

During this process, the Case Manager (or another DEW officer appointed to manage negotiations) may contact you to discuss:

Any protocols or processes required for this stage; and
Negotiations, contract development and any ongoing contract or project management arrangements (including key milestones) that will apply if your proposal is approved.

All contracts and documents will be comprehensively reviewed and submitted to the Governance Committee to enable a determination on whether your proposal should:

Be approved and all contracts/documents executed;
Be approved and specific conditions included in the contracts/documents to be executed;
Not be approved, but may proceed through a competitive market process; or
Not be approved and consideration of the proposal concluded.

You will be advised in writing on the outcome of Stage 3.

Further information

For further information about the processes and criteria for assessment, please read the DEW Unsolicited Proposals Information for Proponents and application form or contact:

DEW Unsolicited Proposals Executive Officer
Phone: (08) 8204 1218
Email: DEW.UnsolicitedProposals@sa.gov.au