From 1 January 2010 companies bidding for large Commonwealth procurements (generally above $20 million) will be required to prepare and implement AIP Plans. Applying the AIP National Framework to Commonwealth Government procurement is aimed at increasing opportunities for capable and competitive Australian and New Zealand small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to participate in Major Commonwealth Procurement activities. AIP Plans provide a mechanism for tendering entities to familiarise themselves with SME capability and identify qualified SME suppliers. AIP Plans can lower tenderers' transaction and search costs, and reduce their risks to include capable and innovative SMEs.
User Guides to assist Australian Government agencies and tenderers are available below.
AIP Plans in Commonwealth Government Procurement: User Guide for Procuring Agencies
This User Guide outlines the steps required to be taken by procuring agencies approaching the market with a tender valued at $20 million or more. It includes descriptions of the types of tenders that require an AIP Plan and information on assessing and examining AIP Plans.
A copy of the 
User Guide for Procuring Agencies (.pdf, 126 kb) is available here. This User Guide is also available as an 
RTF document (.rtf, 927 kb).
AIP Plans in Commonwealth Government Procurement: User Guide for Tenderers
This User Guide outlines the steps required to be taken by tendering companies if they have been asked to provide an AIP Plan as part of a response to an approach to market. It includes detailed descriptions of how to prepare and implement an AIP Plan and how an AIP Plan will be used throughout a tender process. Tenderers are encouraged to use the template below when preparing their AIP Plan and Implementation Report.
A copy of the User Guide for Tenderers (.pdf, 218 kb) is available here. This User Guide is also available as an RTF document (.rtf, 1,724 kb).
AIP Plan and Implementation Report Template
Tenderers are encouraged to use the Template for Developing and Implementing an AIP Plan when preparing their AIP Plan and Implementation Report. This template can also be found in the User Guide for Tenderers.
A copy of the Template for Developing and Implementing an AIP Plan (.rtf, 729 kb) is available here.
Further Information
Further information regarding the application, preparation or implementation of AIP Plans in Commonwealth Government procurement can be obtained from:
E-Mail: aip@innovation.gov.au
Assistant Manager
Australian Industry Participation Section
Manufacturing Division
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
Phone: +61 2 6213 6404
Fax: +61 2 6276 1948
Mail: GPO Box 9839 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Australian Industry Participation: Overview