Provision of Audit and Assurance Services.

Published long after it started: published 218 days after start. The Commonwealth Procurement Rules require agencies to report contracts on AusTender within 42 days of entering into them.

Common explanations: A start date set earlier than signing, to cover work under an earlier arrangement. A lease or agreement republished under a new notice when it was renewed or varied. Administrative delay in reporting.

Supplier’s ABN was new: ABN active 8 days before award. When assessing value for money, the Commonwealth Procurement Rules ask agencies to consider each supplier’s performance history and the relative risk of each proposal. A business with a short record has less history to assess.

Common explanations: A joint venture, partnership or trust set up for one project or lease. A new company formed when an established business restructured or was sold. An Australian subsidiary set up by an established overseas supplier. An ABN cancelled and later reactivated, which the register shows as a new start date.