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Unsolicited proposals

From time to time, suppliers may approach the NZ Transport Agency with a proposal to meet a perceived need, without being asked to do so. This is called an unsolicited proposal (also known as a market-led proposal), and is defined by the Transport Agency as:

‘an approach by an individual, company or organisation (proponent) that offers a unique commercial proposition to meet a need, which has not already been requested by the NZ Transport Agency or Government’.  

This may include proposals to build and/or finance infrastructure, provide goods or services or to undertake a major commercial transaction.

We have developed a set of unsolicited proposal guidelines that are intended to ensure unsolicited proposals are managed in a way that:

  • is transparent and fair to everyone
  • encourages business to bring forward good ideas.

The unsolicited proposal guidelines are aligned with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) Guide to Unsolicited Unique Proposals and are consistent with Australasian best practice. The Transport Agency reserves the right to update its unsolicited proposal guidelines at any time.

These pages provide information for proponents on the unsolicited proposal process and how unsolicited proposals will be assessed.

For enquiries or to submit an unsolicited proposal please contact us at unsolicitedproposals@nzta.govt.nz

Procurement processes continue to apply

The Transport Agency’s unsolicited proposals process does not replace or circumvent any due process of the Government or of the Transport Agency. Nor does the unsolicited proposals process provide an alternative to the Government Procurement Rules of Sourcing, 3rd Edition 2015 or any other related Acts, Regulations or legislation that may apply.

Consideration of unsolicited proposals

Serious consideration will generally be given only to the exceptional proposals. These should demonstrate unique concepts or benefits that cannot otherwise be obtained in the marketplace or that are only able to be provided by a single supply source.

Uniqueness

For an unsolicited proposal to progress through the process, the criteria of uniqueness must be able to be met in terms of its application to both the proposal and the proponent’s unique ability to be able to deliver the proposal.

Unsolicited proposal process

The unsolicited proposal process proceeds through a series of robust Stage gates.

Unsolicited proposal assessment criteria

All unsolicited proposals must satisfy the uniqueness criterion. Unique proposals will also be assessed against a set of other criteria.

Probity

The NZ Transport Agency conducts its commercial dealings with integrity. A set of key probity principles establish the framework for ensuring this integrity.

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