Standard University Furniture Supply

The successful supplier will be required to provide a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply of standard furniture to Federation University across all campuses. The scope of services includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Supply of Furniture

• Provision of a core range of preferred products for teaching spaces, offices, and specialist areas, as identified in the University’s furniture catalogue.

Pricing and Catalogues

• Submission of per-unit pricing, bulk quantity pricing (5 units, 10 units per delivery), installation costs, and freight charges by campus.

• Submission of bundled pricing, including installation costs, and freight charges by campus.

• Maintenance of accurate, up-to-date catalogue data, including product descriptions, pricing, and availability.

• Fixed pricing for all products during the contract term, with provision for annual reviews subject to University approval.

Ordering Process

• Request for quotes will be posted to the successful contractor via the etender portal.

Delivery and Installation

• Delivery to all Federation University campuses, with freight costs itemised by campus. Once in receipt of a University issued Purchase order.

• Assembly and installation of furniture in accordance with manufacturer specifications and University requirements.

• Removal of packaging materials from site, with preference for recycling and environmentally responsible disposal.

• Optional services: removal and safe disposal or recycling of existing furniture, as required.

Product Standards and Quality

• All products must comply with relevant Australian Standards for furniture safety, ergonomics, and durability.

• Preference for products carrying recognised certifications, including but not limited to: AFRDI Blue/Green Tick, GECA, FSC/PEFC, ISO 14001.

• Products must include manufacturer’s warranties, with minimum warranty periods specified.

Sustainable Furniture Procurement – Net Zero Alignment

Suppliers must demonstrate quality control processes and provide product samples for evaluation upon request.

The Supplier will be required to provide the supply, delivery, installation, and ongoing support of office and teaching space furniture across the University. The services must ensure that the furniture is contemporary, fit-for-purpose, durable, and supports the functional requirements of a modern learning and working environment.

In addition, the Supplier must deliver products and services that align with the University’s Net Zero emissions target and its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The scope of services includes, but is not limited to:

1. Sustainable Product Design and Materials

o Supply of durable and modular furniture designed for long-term use.

o Use of responsibly sourced, certified timber (FSC/PEFC), natural fibres, and low-VOC/non-toxic finishes.

o Evidence of recycled or recyclable materials in all products supplied.

o Preference for products with verified low embodied carbon and independent environmental certifications (e.g., GECA, ISO 14001).

2. Lifecycle Management and Circular Economy

o Provision of warranties, spare parts, and repair services to extend product life.

o Options for end-of-life recovery, recycling, or take-back programs.

o Demonstration of processes that minimise waste across the full product lifecycle.

3. Low-Carbon Manufacturing and Supply Chain

o Evidence of energy-efficient and low-waste production methods.

o Demonstrated commitment to reducing environmental impact in manufacturing, packaging, and distribution.

o Commitment to reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions in line with the University’s Net Zero roadmap.

o Ethical and transparent supply chain practices, including compliance with the Modern Slavery Act.

4. Operational Delivery

o Sustainable logistics practices, including reduced packaging, reusable materials, and consolidated deliveries to minimise transport emissions.

o Preference for local and regional suppliers to reduce carbon footprint and support local industry.

5. Reporting and Compliance

o Annual reporting on sustainability indicators, including:

•  Percentage of recycled and recyclable content in supplied products.
•  Waste diversion and take-back program outcomes.
• Carbon footprint of furniture categories supplied.

o Ongoing alignment with the University’s Net Zero targets and relevant SDGs (3, 9, 12, 13, 15).

Social Procurement

• Support of social procurement outcomes, including engagement with Indigenous businesses (Supply Nation), social enterprises (Social Traders), or other diversity suppliers.

• Compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) and provision of ethical sourcing statements.

Service Levels and Contract Management

• Compliance with agreed SLAs and KPIs, including delivery lead times, order accuracy, installation standards, and customer service responsiveness.

• Appointment of a dedicated Account Manager to support the University and act as the single point of contact.

• Provision of quarterly reports on spend product usage, sustainability metrics, and performance against KPIs.

• Attendance at review meetings with Property and Infrastructure to discuss performance, issues, and opportunities for improvement.

Tenderer Instructions – Communication and Presentations

• Shortlisted Tenderers: The University may require shortlisted tenderers to deliver a presentation and/or provide product samples to the evaluation panel as part of the assessment process.

• Submission of Documents: All documents and supporting information requested in this RFT must be uploaded directly into the etender portal. Submissions made by any other means will not be accepted.

• Communication Protocols: Tenderers must not contact University staff directly regarding this tender.

o All questions or clarifications must be submitted via the etender portal Q&A function, or

o By email to the Procurement Team at: procurement@federation.edu.au

• Probity Requirement: Any breach of these communication protocols may result in exclusion from the process.