$96 Million Palliative Care Deal Awarded with Just One Bid
Western Australia's public procurement landscape is again under the microscope, with recent contract awards revealing a consistent pattern of minimal competition for multi-million dollar deals. From vital health services to essential police equipment, significant taxpayer funds are being allocated through processes that attract few, if any, competing bids.
What happened
Several WA Government agencies have recently greenlit high-value contracts, with many receiving only a single submission. The South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) awarded a substantial $96.26 million contract to St John of God Health Care Inc for specialist palliative care services, including inpatient and ambulance services, after receiving just one bid. Similarly, the Department of Health bypassed broad competition, directly negotiating a $40.55 million deal with WA AIDS Council Inc for community-based blood-borne virus (BBV) services, again with a single submission. This echoes a previous story about similar trends in health and justice contracts, suggesting a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.
What this means for you
If you're a health service provider, particularly in the non-profit or private sector, this trend signals a procurement environment where established players may hold significant advantages, or where the tendering process itself deters broader participation. For journalists and public accountability groups, it flags a critical area for investigation into how value for money is assessed when competition is limited. Taxpayers, meanwhile, might wonder if they are truly getting the best possible services at the most competitive prices when agencies opt for single-bid awards for essential services.
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What this means for WA
This continued reliance on single or limited bids for substantial contracts raises questions about the WA government's commitment to competitive procurement and transparency. While some services may genuinely require specialist providers, a consistent pattern across diverse sectors—from healthcare to law enforcement—suggests a potential systemic issue. This could lead to reduced innovation, inflated costs, and less public confidence in the integrity of government spending. It signals a procurement policy that may be prioritising expediency over robust market testing, potentially undermining the Cook Labor Government's broader economic objectives.
The numbers
The data shows a clear pattern. The South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) awarded St John of God Health Care Inc a $96,263,306 contract for palliative care with only one submission. The Department of Health followed suit, giving WA AIDS Council Inc $40,549,890 for BBV services, also with a single bid. The Department of Justice awarded Epiq Australia Pty Ltd $26,536,414 for court recording services, again with one submission. Even the Western Australia Police Force secured a Pilatus PC-24 Jet Aircraft for $23,225,710 from Pilatus Australia Pty Ltd with a single submission. These figures, available on Tenders WA, highlight how frequently large contracts proceed without robust competition.
Find your own data
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