Client capabilities and capital works procurement policies : a comparative analysis of Australian jurisdictions

This chapter undertakes a case study of procurement in Australia and compares the capital works procurement policies of the federal, state and territory governments of Australia. A typology of approaches is advanced, following comparative analysis of the policies. The assumptions inherent in these policies, concerning the assessment of the capabilities of individual clients when planning and delivering capital works procurement, are outlined. A tentative proposition is made and possible avenues for future research are canvassed. The capital works policies discussed in this chapter are focused on the procurement of building construction valued at more than $100,000. Due to scope limitations, minor works, planned maintenance, whole¬of¬life asset sustainability, breakdown maintenance and redundancy management policies are not discussed, nor are procurement policies of infrastructure such as bridges, main roads, railways, harbours, and airports construction. While these are valid research topics they are beyond the scope of this chapter. Also out of scope, but nonetheless an important factor in the initial decisions to procure, are the capacities, and "pre¬conditions", such as systems and processes, required by various jurisdictions to plan for and effectively manage broad asset portfolios.