WA businesses bidding for State Government contracts are encouraged to apply for three new rounds of the Local Capability Fund (LCF).

The grants, worth $2 million all up, can assist local businesses to improve their capacity to supply goods, services and works to the State Government, major projects and other important markets.

The LCF can help assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with funding for activities such as planning, internal infrastructure, plant and equipment and training.

The three new LCF rounds are:

• Aboriginal Business Round — businesses with majority Aboriginal ownership can receive grants of up to $50,000 to improve their capability and competitiveness to supply goods, services and works;
• Supplying Key Major Projects Round — grants of up to $50,000 to help SMEs improve their capability and capacity to supply to major State Government civil construction and infrastructure projects, including those listed on the Pipeline of Work website. Funding will also be available to applicants wishing to access contracts on other major public or private sector projects; and
• National and International Standards Compliance Round — grants of up to $20,000 to help SMEs with the costs of engaging external expertise to carry out implementation and third party certification of six specific national and international standards.

“Supporting local SMEs to remain competitive in bidding for government contracts is crucial to supporting jobs and maintaining our capability across a range of industries,” State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook said.

He said the LCF had a proven track record of successfully helping SMEs to access the Government’s estimated $30 billion per annum spend on goods, services and works for the community, and encouraged businesses to take the opportunity and apply.

Through the LCF, more than 520 businesses have received total funding of $19m, helping secure more than $736m in contract awards.

Grants can be used to cover expenses such as buying and upgrading essential equipment or meeting essential pre-qualification requirements for supply-chain entry.

Businesses can also use grants to pay for consultant advice on a range of matters, including occupational health and safety, marketing, finance and cybersecurity.

To find out more about the LCF and to submit an application, visit https://industrylink.wa.gov.au/local-capability-fund.

For more tender opportunities, ICNWA gives businesses the competitive advantage through access to suppliers across WA.