Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Stakeholders may include:
end users, customers or clients, and sponsors
current or potential providers or suppliers
technical or functional experts or advisers
commonwealth, state or territory, and local government
the organisation
other public sector organisations
employees, unions and staff associations
industry bodies
local communities
lobby groups and special user groups
experts, including financial, legal, technical, commercial and probity.
Market analysis may include:
structure of market
'players' in the market
market capability
market maturity
market strength
factors or conditions that may affect supply
supplier positioning and referencing
supplier viability analysis
potential impact of intended contracting activity.
Procurement approvals and appropriations may require:
ministerial authorisation
compliance with instructions or finance circulars
CEO or board authorisation
confirmation by chief financial officer
delegate approval
budget approval
business case approval
special consideration if they concern:
long-term travel deals
long-term computer deals
long-term lease deals
issuing indemnities.
Information on sources of supply may include:
Yellow Pages
buyers guides, supplier brochures and advertisements
purchasing contract awareness service
suppliers' previous histories and files
peer, supplier and customer networks
computer-aided purchase of computers
newspapers, journals, bulletins or directories
government gazettal notices
internet.
Legislation, policy and probity requirements may include:
commonwealth or state and territory legislation
equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination law
commonwealth, and state or territory government procurement guidelines
organisational policies and practices
probity guidelines
codes of conduct, codes of practice and standards of individual behaviour relating to procurement
security and confidentiality
risk management
environmental, sustainability and corporate social responsibility principles.
Issues and opportunities may include:
risk sharing
cost sharing
cost escalation
intellectual property rights
knowledge management
corporate knowledge
libraries and archives
capital equipment and asset ownership
value engineering
value management
innovation
continuous improvement
future organisational requirements
quality
whole-of-life considerations
organisational integration and cooperation.
Resource requirements may include:
facilities
information technology
personnel
budget support equipment
use of contractor staff
professional service providers
risk assessment.
Procurement approval documentation may include:
business case
justifications
delegate submissions.
Procurement plan may include:
formal documented procurement plan, either using an organisational template or not using a template
procurement strategy
acquisition strategy
leasing strategy.
Probity risks may include:
corruption
fraud
conflict of interest (actual, perceived or potential)
unfair treatment of providers or potential providers
misuse of resources
misuse of information
manipulation of the marketplace.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to plan procurement consistently in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
consult with a wide range of stakeholders in order to identify, confirm and clarify procurement requirements
undertake market research
develop business case, using templates if available
develop a procurement plan, using templates if available
act within own delegations and refer issues to higher authority when necessary.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated by providing evidence of undertaking a range of relevant work tasks in an actual or simulated procurement environment on at least two separate occasions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
The unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Access may be required to:
legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to procuring goods and services
codes of conduct and codes of practice
workplace scenarios and case studies relating to a range of procurement activities
case studies that incorporate dilemmas, and probity requirements relating to planning procurement of goods and services.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
questions to assess understanding of relevant legislation and procedures
review of strategies selected for procurement planning
review of business cases, budgets, procurement plans, risk assessments, procurement approvals and other documentation prepared or obtained by the candidate in a range of contexts
review of stakeholder engagement approaches adopted by the candidate.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.
Guidance information for assessment
Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service
PSPGOV417A Identify and treat risks
PSPGOV421A Exercise delegations
PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector
PSPPROC412A Develop and distribute requests for offers
PSPPROC413A Select providers and develop contracts.