MLP Policy
The MLP Policy continues to provide a path for the private sector to present unique proposals to the Government.
A recent update offers more flexibility for the Government to consider innovative proposals that demonstrate value for money outcomes and address high priority issues.
Problem and Opportunity Statements have their own requirements that will be specified as part of each process. Further information is available in the MLP Policy and Supplementary Guidelines.
The current MLP Policy is effective from December 2024.
MLP evaluation criteria
MLPs undergo a rigorous and robust evaluation process, with all proposals assessed against the following criteria:
- Strategic alignment - aligns with government policy objectives and priorities
- Public Interest - has significant social, environmental, economic or financial benefits for Western Australians
- Value for Money - represents value for money for Western Australians and is affordable in the context of State Budget priorities
- Is feasible and capable of being delivered - the proponent has the financial and technical capacity, capability, and experience to deliver the outcome successfully
- Risk - proposals must demonstrate that risks to government (including financial, reputational and/or security) are acceptable and that there is an appropriate allocation of risk between the proponent and government.
Further information on the evaluation criteria and assessment process is available in the MLP Policy and Supplementary Guidelines.
The MLP process and preparing your proposal
It is important that you read the MLP Policy, Supplementary Guidelines, and Terms and Conditions.
These documents outline the:
- end-to-end process
- level of information required at each stage
- responsibilities, communication protocols, obligations and disclosures
- criteria your proposal will be assessed against
- how an appropriate procurement method is determined.
The following steps outline key stages of the process. Proponents are encouraged to read the MLP Policy and Supplementary Guidelines for further detail.
Compulsory pre-submission meeting
Before lodging an unsolicited proposal, proponents must attend a meeting with the MLP Secretariat.
To request a meeting, proponents should complete the Pre-Submission Meeting Request Form. This form will provide the MLP Secretariat with a high-level overview of your proposal in preparation for the meeting.
The pre-submission meeting will be used to:
- outline your proposed concept and discuss the MLP process
- consider if a proposal is likely to be within the scope of the MLP Policy and have a reasonable prospect of meeting the evaluation criteria
- determine if your proposal is ready to lodge.
Submitting a proposal
Proponents should complete a Concept Proposal template which will form part of your submission. You should include enough detail to match the complexity of your proposal and describe how it will meet the MLP evaluation criteria.
Completed Concept Proposals can be submitted by email to marketledproposals@dplh.wa.gov.au.
Initial Assessment
After a Concept Proposal is received, it will undergo an Initial Assessment to determine if the proposal meets the scope of the Policy, and if so, the appropriate procurement method for progressing its assessment.
Proposals that do not meet the requirements of the Initial Assessment will be declined or referred to an alternate government process.
Stage 1: Evaluation
If the proposal progresses to Stage 1 of the process, a lead agency is appointed and the proposal will be assessed by an evaluation panel against the MLP evaluation criteria. The Stage 1 process is a discovery phase where the State will work with the proponent in an interactive manner to clarify aspects of the proposal.
Following a Cabinet decision on Stage 1, proponents will be advised of the outcome and whether they are invited to Stage 2. We aim to advise you of the outcome within 90 business days of submitting your proposal.
Stage 2: Business case and detailed terms evaluation
Proponents that progress to Stage 2 of the MLP process will be invited to submit a detailed business case and key terms for evaluation by government. Preparation of the business case is done in consultation with a lead agency and impacted stakeholders.
Stage 2 allows both parties to undertake due diligence to help inform contractual positions and decisions. It involves the proponent and the State working together to negotiate key issues and, where contract negotiation is successful, deliver an offer capable of acceptance at the end of this stage.
A Cabinet decision is required for all centrally governed proposals at the end of Stage 2. Best endeavours will be made to advise proponents of the outcome within 100 business days of lodging the Stage 2 proposal.
MLP Steering Committee
The MLP Steering Committee oversees the MLP Policy and provides recommendations to Cabinet. The Committee comprises Directors General, and Chief Executive Officers of the following agencies and statutory authorities:
- Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage (Chairperson)
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Department of Treasury
- Department of Finance
- Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
- Western Australian Planning Commission
- Lead Agency for the proposal (for centrally-governed processes)
- Other key agencies as determined by the Committee.
The Committee may establish subcommittees to manage high risk or complex MLPs.
