Question:
Hello, can you please tell us the budget for this project? Thank you.

Answered on 14/Feb/2025 02:42 PM:


The Stories of change Request for Quote aims to understand the market cost of proposed services – and an estimated cost of services is not provided for this reason.

The proposed project timeframe identified in the Request for Quote does not reflect the estimated work time of sought services, but provides for circumstances beyond the control of researchers (such as sitting times for Human Research Ethics Committees).

Question:
Good afternoon,

Can you please confirm whether the 'providing of deidentified transcripts of yarning sessions' is a necessary requirement in this project. Our extensive experience as a First Nations research company as well as our experience working with AIATIS has proven that the providing of transcripts, even when deidentified is neither culturally appropriate or in alignment with ethical principles. We would however be able to provide transcript summaries if that was an alternative you would be willing to consider.

Regarding the requirement to recruit 10 men and 10 women participants, would there be allowance if those groups came in at a slight variance - For instance 8 men, 12 women? Additionally, how would you consider non-binary participants contributing to the research?

Lastly, are you in a position to disclose a budget or budget range intended for this project?

Thank you,

Answered on 24/Feb/2025 09:58 AM:


We are committed to ensuring all research activities – including the provision of deidentified transcripts – only occur if ethical clearance and the informed consent of research participants is obtained. Alternatives to the provision of deidentified transcripts can be considered if deemed necessary.

It is also understood that the number and gender breakdown of participants may need to be adjusted to reflect participant availability and input from any local First Nations organisations providing support during participant recruitment. This may include the participation of non-binary research participants.

The Stories of change Request for Quote aims to understand the market cost of proposed services – and an estimated cost of services is not provided for this reason.

The proposed project timeframe identified in the Request for Quote does not reflect the estimated work time of sought services, but provides for circumstances beyond the control of researchers (such as sitting times for Human Research Ethics Committees).

Question:
Could you please clarify expectations about the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval process. Does the Queensland Government have an internal Ethics Committee that should be used? If not, is there a preference for approval from a University Committee or an external not-for-profit ethics committee?

Answered on 25/Feb/2025 02:56 PM:


We do not have a preferred HREC for the approval process, the supplier can nominate a HREC they deem to be most suitable.

Question:
Hi, the RFQ does not reveal who will be the owner of any new Intellectual Property Rights nor what type of licence to use (if any) will be granted to the other party. Could we please get some clarification on this? We're hoping the Customer will grant the Supplier the right to publish in academic journals after we provide the final report, provided the Supplier removes any of the Customer's Confidential Information, Customer Data, and Personal Information.

Also, we're concerned about being asked to hand over the de-identified interview transcripts, as this will pose a significant challenge for our ethics application. In previous Q&A, you mentioned that "Alternatives to the provision of de-identified transcripts can be considered if deemed necessary." Can we include this as our input on contract term departures?

Thank you.

Answered on 04/Mar/2025 03:00 PM:


The Intellectual Property Rights will reside with the Queensland Government. There may an opportunity to discuss the possibility of academic publications once the project outputs have been finalised, but we cannot make any guarantees regarding this. It is noted that the inclusion of findings in academic publications would need to be supported by research participants and the Human Research Ethics Committee.

The proposal to use alternatives to the provision of de-identified transcripts for ethical reasons would be an acceptable departure from the proposed research activities being sought.

Question:
As per the RFQ documentation, the supplier should provide references from previous research clients or collaborators. Could you please clarify if the supplier should provide the contact details of the reference only or should the written reference from the research client/collaborator be included as part of the response? Thanks in advance.

Answered on 04/Mar/2025 03:02 PM:


You may wish to attach written references if available, although contact details is all that is required.

Question:
Confirming that the CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS AND PRIVACY DEED is to be signed by the successful applicant upon award of the tender?

Answered on 05/Mar/2025 11:22 AM:


Yes, a signed CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS AND PRIVACY DEED is to be provided by the successful Supplier upon award of the tender.

Question:
In light of Cyclone Alfred and the possibility of lack of power and school closures, would the Dept please consider extending the submission deadline by one week?

Answered on 05/Mar/2025 12:39 PM:


Yes, the deadline has now been extended by one week.

Question:
Good morning, The RFQ states that Criteria 6 is weighted at 10%, including the local benefits test. Can I please enquire as to how this weighting applies to the local benefit test? Will bids from outside the 125km radius and local region be reviewed if there are still potential bids within those areas if it is only 10% of the bid consideration?

Answered on 10/Mar/2025 02:11 PM:


Yes, bids from suppliers who are outside the 125km radius of Townsville/local region will still be considered even if there are bids from suppliers within that range. Since the local benefits test is just one of the five Queensland Government procurement priorities included in the RFQ that equally comprise the 10% weighting, this particular consideration only accounts for about 2% of the total weighted score given to offers.