Ernst & Young (EY) Australia is the local arm of the multinational legal-accounting and professional services firm EY Global. EY operates as a network of member firms, employing over 300,000 people in over 700 offices around the world.

In 2003 the National Furniture Systems Rollout (Office Workstations) project was initiated to complete the fit-out of the EY Australia offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

We were engaged as consultant probity advisors for the procurement process. We provided advice to EY and monitored the various procurement processes used to select the Office Workstations fit-out contractor.

The project involved three phases starting with an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process. The EOI respondents were then short-listed, with prototypes developed before the final selection of a contractor to complete the work.

We reviewed the tender documentation and assessment plans for each procurement process. We attended and monitored all site meetings, tender evaluation meetings and supplier interviews.

Probity Reports were prepared at key milestones for the procurement process.

The total project cost was about $8 million with the engagement extending from March 2003 to November 2003.

Completion of this work concluded our first major professional engagement with the private sector for probity advisory services.