Leveraging sub-tender procurement to drive local economic development
BuyRegional is a nationwide initiative – launched in 2017 and powered by the Unimarket (formerly VendorPanel) platform. It helps government and enterprises leverage sub-tender procurement as a driver of local and regional economic development. It also improves governance, reduces risk, and drives savings.
Case study analysis covered a complete sourcing dataset from over 25 Government Customer Organisations sourcing via the Local Supplier Marketplace in 2017. Data was de-identified to align with confidentiality agreements. Non-conforming and potential outlier data was removed. The analysis covered $29,744,785 in competitive low-value sourcing events (average transaction value less than $50,000) via the Marketplace.
Analysis has shown a high degree of engagement with the local supply chain, and significant cost-avoidance benefits.
Economic Development Objectives
It is widely recognised that local sourcing brings social and economic gain. All levels of government recognise the benefits:
| Government | Local Suppliers | Wider Economy |
| Value for money through leverage of spend, competition, cost control | Opportunities for growth | Increased employment, skills, competition and productivity |
| Reduced costs, including logistics and maintenance | Increased stability and diversity of markets | Innovation and supply chain development |
| Transparent reporting of benefits | Improved national and international reputation | SME development and wealth creation |
Usage – Audited Analysis
A key objective of BuyRegional is identification and inclusion of local vendors through geo-targeting by the Unimarket platform. Analysis showed a high degree of engagement with local suppliers as a proportion of all sourcing via the Marketplace.
Platform data shows business going to local vendors in 84.4% of cases.
Savings – Audited Analysis
In addition to economic development opportunities, the case study examined cost-avoidance achieved by running a more competitive sourcing process. This data was independently audited against the Queensland Government “one-off acquisitions” savings methodology.
Analysis shows an average Cost Avoidance of 9.74% for organisations sourcing via the Unimarket Marketplace.
This equated to over $2.89 million in savings on sample spending of $29.75 million.
Additional Auditor Observations
The independent auditor identified additional benefits beyond the scope of the validation:
- Increased visibility of data and outcomes drives further savings through accountability
- Improved data visibility enables identification of strategic contracting opportunities
- Use of Unimarket improves probity compared to email-based processes
- Record-keeping is strengthened for audit and repeat-quote efficiency
- Faster quotation processes
- Introduction of new suppliers increases competition
About BuyRegional
BuyRegional focuses on high-volume, sub-tender operational sourcing (typically RFQs $2k–$150k), representing 40–60% of local government procurement spend. This activity is usually decentralised and managed by operational staff requesting quotes via email – a process with limited transparency and risk controls.
BuyRegional reduces risk in decentralised low-value sourcing, drives value, and helps direct spend to local SMEs.
“One of the ways we are encouraging and facilitating local suppliers to work with us.” – Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley
The BuyRegional supplier marketplace improves engagement with the business community by giving local suppliers easier access to opportunities. It also structures decentralised procurement, enabling staff to access a wider range of suppliers, pricing, and terms.
Benefits
- Connects buyers and potential suppliers, allowing local vendors to compete with larger competitors
- Drives measurable savings by expanding the vendor pool
- Encourages adoption through ease-of-use for suppliers and buyers
- Supports local and regional economic development goals
- Improves transparency, governance, and probity in decentralised procurement
- Provides leaders with insights into the social and economic impact of spend
What Makes It Work?
Positive user experience becomes a compliance strategy.
Unimarket’s intuitive design encourages adoption across non-procurement staff, while maintaining robust governance and reporting in the background.
Low-value procurement becomes manageable.
Organisations can apply tender-like rigour to mid-level spend ($5k–$150k), reducing risk and driving value while still supporting local suppliers.
Geo-location strengthens local impact.
The technology automatically identifies and prioritises local suppliers, with the ability to expand search areas if needed.
Part of a full procurement suite.
BuyRegional sits within the broader Unimarket platform, enabling local sourcing targets to align with preferred supplier panels, government lists, and social, Indigenous, or diversity procurement goals.
Powerful sourcing analytics.
BuyRegional provides insights into buyer behaviour, reasons suppliers lose bids, and opportunities for targeted supplier development.