5/4/01
A new facilities management framework for State Government buildings will provide greater opportunities for small business to secure work in this significant marketplace, Works and Services Minister Mr Tom Stephens announced today.
The Minister has endorsed the establishment of Western Property, a new framework that will replace the existing facilities management (FM) arrangements in the metropolitan area.
Last year services valued at $79 million were delivered to Government agencies in Perth by five major facilities managers and their sub-contractors.
Mr Stephens said with the current FM arrangements due to expire shortly, it was timely to review and revamp the framework to more effectively meet the Labor Government's "Small Business - the Way Ahead" policy directions.
"The Western Property concept takes facilities management into a flexible new direction that will allow Government agencies to purchase services directly from local individual suppliers - the vast majority of which are small and medium enterprises," Mr Stephens said.
"Although there will continue to be a place for larger facilities managers in the framework, buyers will be able to customise the way they arrange their building services, from cleaning to maintenance and repairs, minor works, security and other requirements.
"They may choose a 'one-stop', full service arranged by a facilities management company, they may go directly to any of the hundreds of pre-qualified contractors in the Western Property system, or they may choose a combination of these options."
Western Property will be linked to the Government Electronic Market (Gem), providing buyers direct access to service providers and service arrangers in a secure online trading environment.
The Department of Contract and Management Services (CAMS) will be responsible for establishing the Western Property framework and is consulting with Government buyers, existing facilities management companies, industry associations and individual suppliers.
The existing facilities management contracts, with Serco Australia Pty Ltd, Transfield Maintenance Pty Ltd, Haden/Tyco Facilities Management, Otis Building Technologies Pty Ltd and Spotless Facilities Management Pty Ltd, will be extended until April 2002 while the Western Property arrangements are finalised and implemented.
Regional Government facilities will continue to be managed through CAMS regional offices, with the majority of the services provided by local regional contractors.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9213 6500
