LGCA Supplier FAQ Guide

Why Partner with LGCA?

What sets LGCA apart and supplier benefits?

LGCA is growing to become Australia’s only true nationally focussed procurement aggregator dedicated exclusively to local government. Key differences and benefits for suppliers include: 

  • Showcase your business through LGCA’s National Local Government Supplier Register (NLGSR) – your company profile is showcased to council buyers, including credentials like experience, case studies, testimonials, insurance and licenses.
  • Always open – no supplier lockout periods when applying to be included on the NLGSR.
  • Comprehensive coverage – the NLGSR spans all local government spend categories.
  • No repetitive uploads – save time and effort when submitting for tenders.
  • Direct access to buyers – LGCA connects pre-approved suppliers with ready-to-buy councils.
  • Service-first approach – LGCA supports and guides councils and suppliers through the RFQ process.
  • Streamlined RFQ process – digitally tracked and efficient.
  • No upfront or ongoing fees – only pay a low 1% management fee of contract value won.
  • No sales reporting required from suppliers for contracts won. Suppliers will invoice council as per the related agreement/contract with council. Council will then report to LGCA regarding supplier invoiced amounts received.

Council Engagement

How is LGCA engaging council buyers?

How is LGCA engaging council buyers? 

  • NLGSR targeted engagement 
  • LGCA’s consultant team – daily collaboration with council procurement teams. 
  • Regular guest speakers at regional council meetings and industry events. 
  • Over 600 council buyers follow LGCA on LinkedIn.  

How many council buyers have registered with LGCA?

In just the first six weeks of focussed buyer engagement, over 90 council buyers have registered with LGCA, including the City of Casey, which is actively engaging LGCA to deliver its 2025/26 infrastructure – construction program.

As a newly launched business, we’re experiencing strong momentum, with new councils joining daily as they recognise the value of our streamlined, service-led procurement model. Expanding our council network remains a core focus, and we’re committed to growing nationally as we continue presenting to council groups and those that our consulting team are working with. Our goal is to have all 537 councils around Australia registered and using the LGCA platform.

We also welcome and encourage supplier referrals to councils they work with. These introductions help unlock new opportunities for suppliers and strengthen the reach of LGCA’s National Local Government Supplier Register (NLGSR).

What specific councils are registered on the LGCA platform?

At this early stage, we do not publicly disclose the list of participating buyers. This is to protect the integrity of council procurement processes and to respect each council’s decision on when and how they engage suppliers via the LGCA platform. 

Once suppliers are qualified and listed on the National Local Government Supplier Register (NLGSR), they will receive invitations to respond to RFQs issued by participating councils, and the company profile will be visible to verified buyers. This creates real opportunities for supplier engagement while maintaining a secure and professional procurement environment.

We’re continuing to expand our buyer network every week, and your presence on the Register ensures you’re ready as opportunities are released.

Is LGCA a mandatory/prescribed procurement aggregator?

No. At this time, LGCA has chosen not to pursue prescription to remain agile and innovative. Councils are not mandated to use prescribed aggregators and can freely engage LGCA.

How is LGCA engaging council buyers?

  • NLGSR targeted engagement
  • LGCA’s consultant team – daily collaboration with council procurement teams.
  • Regular guest speakers at regional council meetings and industry events.
  • Over 600 council buyers follow LGCA on LinkedIn.

Understanding LGCA’s Request to Qualify (RTQ) Process

What is RTQ?

The Request to Qualify (RTQ) is LGCA’s formal qualification process for suppliers to join the NLGSR.

Council buyers will browse the NLGSR Supplier Profiles to determine which suppliers they wish to invite to quote on opportunities – creating a shortlist, of sorts. For example, in reviewing Supplier Profiles, council buyers will be looking to see if the profile meets project requirements such as licenses, experience, insurance levels etc.

Why is RTQ important?

It ensures suppliers meet LGCA’s standards for capability, compliance, and experience, supporting transparent and value-for-money procurement aligned with local government legislation. These standards align with general Local Government requirements.

The RTQ informs the Supplier Profile, which is the supplier’s “shop front” on the NLGSR.

Who must complete RTQ?

All suppliers seeking inclusion in the NLGSR must undergo the RTQ process.

How do I start the RTQ Process?

Register on the LGCA website to access the supplier portal. Complete and submit your RTQ electronically with the following detail/documentation:

  • Business registration (ABN, ACN, ASIC)
  • Certifications (ISO, WHS, regulatory)
  • Insurance (public liability, professional indemnity, workers’ compensation)
  • Performance history (case studies, references)

What are the evaluation criteria?

Submissions will be assessed on varying criteria dependent on the category of good/service and will include:

  • Legal and regulatory compliance
  • Certifications and insurance
  • Experience and capability
  • WHS standards
  • Pricing; and
  • Sustainability

What happens after approval?

You’ll receive:

  • Formal notification
  • Supplier ID and registration number
  • LGCA Supplier Contract (Standing Deed) for signing
  • Access to contract opportunities for councils that use LGCA as their aggregator
  • Supplier onboarding system training will be made available   

Please note, approved suppliers will be listed on the NLGSR once Supplier Deed is executed.

Need Help?

Where can I find RTQ support?

Visit the LGCA website supplier portal and access:

  • RTQ Guide – step-by-step documentation
  • Podcast – overview of the RTQ process
  • Ask DOUG (Digital Online User Guide)– LGCA’s virtual assistant for real-time help

Login issues?

  • Ensure your registered email matches the RTQ email.
  • If different, notify LGCA to update and resend your RTQ application.

Costs and Supplier Promotion

What does it cost to be listed on LGCA’s NLGSR?

  • Free to apply – suppliers’ application to be included on the NLGSR is free of charge
  • No start-up, admin, or ongoing fees
  • Only supplier cost is a low management fee on the value of contracts won

Are there any charges for downloading tender documents? 

No. LGCA does not charge suppliers to access or download tender documents. 

What is the LGCA management fee? 

LGCA applies a management fee of 1% of the GST-exclusive contract value for any Buyer Contract awarded through an LGCA-facilitated Request for Quote (RFQ). This is outlined in Item 1 of the Agreement Details in the LGCA Supplier Standing Offer Deed and governed under Clause 5. 

This fee is payable upon the value of goods, materials or services delivered as per the contract award. There are no costs to apply, qualify, or remain listed on the National Local Government Supplier Register (NLGSR). LGCA does not charge suppliers for tender downloads, verification, or ongoing participation. 

Fee Transparency and Application 

  • The 1% fee applies to the total contract value, including any approved variations. 
  • All applicable fees are disclosed in the RFQ and all relevant correspondence. 
  • In limited cases (typically involving high value, complex projects), LGCA may agree a reduced fee rate directly with the Council Buyer. This is communicated upfront in the RFQ documentation. Suppliers are not involved in the negotiation of this fee. 
  • As part of their pricing response, suppliers may disclose that the management fee has been either added as a separate line item or absorbed within the offered rates, depending on their commercial approach. 

Purpose and Value 

The management fee supports LGCA’s role in delivering practical, compliant procurement services. These include: 

  • Hosting and maintaining a secure online platform where councils issue RFQs and engage with pre-qualified suppliers listed on the National Local Government Supplier Register (NLGSR). 
  • Conducting due diligence and maintaining detailed supplier profiles—including insurance, licences, service capability, and categories — so Buyers can make informed decisions. 
  • Actively promoting suppliers to councils through direct engagement, platform search tools, and procurement facilitation support. 
  • Reducing duplication of effort by standardising qualification requirements across local government and ensuring only verified, capable suppliers are included. 
  • Assisting councils with compliant RFQ design, evaluation coordination, and contract execution to reduce risk, provide a governance and record keeping framework that can demonstrate procurement compliant with council policy and legislation, the accountability and use of public monies, and the delivery of value for money benefitting council and the local community. 

LGCA does not receive payment unless your business is awarded work and delivers goods, materials and services as per the contract with the Buyer. The model is intended to strike a balance—supporting fair competition, removing unnecessary barriers, is cashflow neutral, and ensuring that value is delivered before any fee is applied. The management fee is invoiced by LGCA on receipt of the Buyer’s confirmation of the value of goods, materials and services received.                                                              

Where can I find LGCA’s terms and conditions? 

  • A draft of the Standing Offer Deed is provided with your RTQ application link 
    • Once registered, log into the LGCA Supplier Portal 
    • Click ‘Further Information’ 
    • Then click ‘Standing Offer Deed’ 
  • The deed outlines all terms, conditions, and the management fee structure 

General Questions 

Is LGCA a mandatory/prescribed procurement aggregator? 

No. At this time, LGCA has chosen not to pursue prescription to remain agile and innovative. Councils are not mandated to use prescribed aggregators and can freely engage LGCA. 

Can we promote our company on LGCA’s website? 

Yes. All pre-approved suppliers have a profile uploaded to the NLGSR, showcasing: 

  • Experience and capabilities 
  • Case studies and testimonials 
  • Verified documentation (insurance, certifications, etc.) 

The more comprehensive your RTQ submission, the stronger your company profile will be based on the information supplied. Council buyers access these profiles via their own secure portal to inform supplier selection. As council buyers can directly access supplier documentation (e.g., insurance and licenses), this streamlines the process and removes the need for suppliers to continually upload the same documents each time they submit for a tender saving valuable time. 

Can we pay for additional promotion space? 

No. LGCA maintains a level playing field for all suppliers. 
We do not offer paid promotional upgrades beyond the standard profile. Every supplier has equal opportunity to present their capabilities through their profile page.

Are there any supplier restrictions for updating pricing schedules submitted through the RTQ process?

No, suppliers can update pricing schedules at any time with no restriction by simply advising LGCA of changes they would like to make. 

Is it compulsory to submit pricing to gain approval for LGCA’s supplier register? 

No, it is not mandatory to submit pricing as various categories require project specific quotations (e.g., construction) and pricing is therefore not evaluated in the RTQ process. However, it is highly recommended for suppliers to provide an indicative pricing structure or commercial model for the goods, works, or services offered within their selected category (e.g. schedule of rates, per square metre, per day). While pricing submitted at the RTQ stage is not binding, it provides Buyers with a benchmark and helps inform the value-for-money assessment process at the RFQ stage. 

Buyers are seeking to identify value for money, so it is essential that you clearly outline your value proposition. Suppliers should provide clear, structured, and realistic pricing that reflects their service model and typical project scope, by either using the Supplier Pricing Template provided or via their own pricing model. Where possible, pricing should align with the cost structures applicable to the subcategory. 

Need Help?

Where can I find RTQ support? 

Visit the LGCA website supplier portal and access: 

  • RTQ Guide – step-by-step documentation 
  • Podcast – overview of the RTQ process 
  • Ask DOUG (Digital Online User Guide)– LGCA’s virtual assistant for real-time help 

Login issues? 

Ensure your registered email matches the RTQ email. 

If different, notify LGCA to update and resend your RTQ application. 

Still have questions? 

Reach out to LGCA directly via the contact details provided below or through the supplier portal. 

General Enquiry