Question:
Is there a Word version of the Returnable Schedules available?

Answered on 29/Oct/2025 02:16 PM:


Good afternoon,

Thank you for your query. We have attached a Word version.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Confirming the minimum requirement for Professional Indemnity Insurance is $20 million and not $2 million?

Answered on 30/Oct/2025 09:09 AM:


Good morning. Thank you for your query.

We confirm the minimum requirement for Professional Indemnity Insurance is $20 million.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good afternoon,

Please can you confirm the deadline for submitting clarification questions?

Many thanks.

Answered on 31/Oct/2025 09:25 AM:


Good morning,

We have updated the RFQ listing stating a cut-off for clarifications, 21 November 2025.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good afternoon,

Please could you confirm whether it would be acceptable for us to provide our tender response in our own branded document, following that we replicate the same structure which has been provided in the tender submission form?

Many thanks

Answered on 31/Oct/2025 09:28 AM:


Good morning,

We confirm that will be acceptable providing it covers the required criteria.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good afternoon,

Can Council please confirm the mandatory requirement for Form 10 and in particular parts A-C. As a legal services provider, Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) are not applicable to the services we will provide Council over the course of the Panel appointment. We can however provide a summary of the work health and safety systems in place and that are applicable to our line of work.

Many thanks

Answered on 31/Oct/2025 03:08 PM:


Good afternoon,

We can accept a summary of the work, health and safety systems in place that are applicable to this line of work.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good afternoon,

In relation to the Financial Information within Form 3, Page 39, please can the Council clarify whether the first two tables are relevant/required for this section? Was this made in error noting the first table is repeated in Form 4?

Many thanks

Answered on 07/Nov/2025 10:40 AM:


Good morning.

Thank you for your query. Yes, confirming the first two tables are relevant/required.

Kind regards

Aleece

Question:
Good afternoon,

Can Council please advise how they define their lawyer levels as provided in the pricing schedule as part of Form 2?

Would it be permissible to include an additional column to account for all lawyer levels provided by our firm and those who will be executing the work (for example Partner, Special Counsel, Senior Associate, Associate and Lawyer)?

Thank you.

Answered on 07/Nov/2025 09:13 AM:


Good morning,

Thank you for your query. Yes, it would be permissible to include an additional column to account for all lawyers' levels provided by your firm.

We can assess on this basis.

Kind regards

Aleece

Question:
Good morning,

We would be grateful if you could provide us with a response to the question we raised on the 12th November.

Many thanks in advance.

Answered on 18/Nov/2025 04:09 PM:


Good afternoon,

Council is currently exploring the option to extend the due date for submissions. We will respond to your specific queries in due course, and will notify you of the extended closing date.

Thank you for following up.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good afternoon,

Could Council please advise the expected volume of conveyancing / leasing work?

Many thanks

Answered on 08/Dec/2025 03:00 PM:


Good afternoon,

Council notes that the tender documentation outlines the types of conveyancing and leasing work that may be required under the panel arrangement. Council is not in a position to guarantee or specify the expected volume of matters, as this will vary depending on operational needs, property transactions, and strategic projects. The panel is established to provide flexibility, and work will be allocated as required. Vendors should therefore consider the scope of services listed as indicative only, rather than a forecast of volume.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Would Council consider amending the professional indemnity insurance requirements to require the mandatory Lawcover cover only. A $20m professional indemnity insurance requirement is prohibitive for many regional firms in the area.

Answered on 08/Dec/2025 03:02 PM:


Good afternoon,

Council notes that Lawcover provides the mandatory professional indemnity insurance for solicitors in NSW. However, Council’s requirement for $20 million professional indemnity insurance reflects its risk management framework and applies consistently across all panel engagements. Firms may meet this requirement through Lawcover combined with additional top up cover. Council is not in a position to amend the insurance requirement.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good morning,

Can Council please confirm what will be required of the referees provided in response to Form 4 and 6, both in terms of the type of questions they can expect and the time they are to allocate in responding to Council?

We note that Council’s response calls for a significant number of referees and in order to set expectations with our clients, we would like to provide them with parameters prior to their details being shared with Council.

Would Council reconsider the requirement to provide referees in both Form 4 and 6?

Thank you.

Answered on 18/Nov/2025 04:07 PM:
(edited on 08/Dec/2025 02:53 PM)


Council confirms that referees provided in Form 4 (Existing Contractual Obligations) and Form 6 (Previous Experience) will be asked to comment briefly on the vendor’s capacity, reliability, and past performance. Referee engagement is expected to be minimal, typically a short phone call or written confirmation requiring no more than 10–15 minutes.

Council notes that referees are requested in both forms to address different evaluation criteria, current contractual capacity and previous service experience. Vendors may nominate the same referee across both forms if appropriate.

Question:
Good afternoon,

Can Council please confirm whether within Form 7, the "Work responsibilities for this Project" should refer to "Panel" instead of "Project"?

Thank you.

Answered on 18/Nov/2025 04:08 PM:
(edited on 08/Dec/2025 02:56 PM)


Good afternoon,

Council notes that Form 7 uses the term ‘Project’ consistently across the tender template. For the purposes of this tender, ‘Project’ should be read as referring to the services to be delivered under the legal services panel. Vendors may outline the responsibilities of their key personnel in relation to the nominated areas of law and their expected role if appointed to the panel.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good Morning

In relation to the Financial Information within Form 3, I note that a previous query was lodged regarding the first two tables.

How can we submit answers to these 2 tables when we have never acted for Council before or are currently on the panel.

Can you clarify this.

Many thanks

Answered on 18/Nov/2025 04:10 PM:
(edited on 08/Dec/2025 02:59 PM)


Good afternoon,

Council confirms that Form 3 – Financial Information is intended to demonstrate the vendor’s financial capacity and track record generally, not only in relation to Council. Vendors who have not previously acted for Council should provide information based on comparable contracts with other clients or general firm financials. Where no Council specific data exists, vendors may note this and provide relevant alternative information.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Good morning

The tender information on portal notes the closing date as the 30th January 2026

The actual documentation has the closing date as November 28th :

(RFT2026.4 PDF - Request for Tender 2026/4 - Provision of Legal Services to Cootamundra ...)

Did I download the correct tender documents?

Thank you

Answered on 05/Jan/2026 11:10 AM:


Good morning,

Thanks for your message. You’ve downloaded the correct tender document. Please note that the closing date has since been formally extended, and the updated closing date shown on VendorPanel is the current and accurate one.

Kind regards

CGRC

Question:
Hello - Form 10: Work Health and Safety Management System requires details on

1. third-party certification and if not, relevant qualifications; and

2. a copy of OFSC accreditation and if not, relevant qualifications.

Is it still acceptable that this mandatory requirement is met with details of WHS management systems and policies in place?

Answered on 23/Jan/2026 11:31 AM:


Good morning,

Thank you for your query.

Council confirms that third party WHS certification and OFSC accreditation are not mandatory for this tender. Suppliers who do not hold these certifications may meet the requirement by providing details of their current Work Health and Safety management systems, policies, and relevant qualifications, appropriate to the nature of the services being delivered.

Kind regards

CGRC