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Lodge a market-led proposal

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Pitch a business idea that will help make Brisbane better. Find out how to prepare your proposal and lodge it online.

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What is a market-led proposal?

A market-led proposal is a pitch to supply goods or services to government. It is also known as an unsolicited proposal.

Council will consider market-led proposals through the Better Brisbane initiative. This initiative gives people the chance to pitch ideas that solve a problem, address an opportunity or enhance a service.

Whether you’re a resident, entrepreneur, business, not-for-profit organisation or academic, we want to hear your idea that will help make Brisbane better.  

Benefits

Better Brisbane Proposals mean you don’t have to wait for a tender to pitch a business idea to us. You can submit a proposal anytime.

This approach allows us to:

Receive fresh and innovative ideas outside of our usual scope

Tap into a diversity of ideas from different industries

Identify opportunities to enhance our services for residents and businesses

Stay on top of technological innovation and industry trends

Eligibility criteria

A Better Brisbane Proposal must:

  • be fair to the supply market
  • represent value for money
  • contribute to the Brisbane Vision 2031
  • be readily implemented
  • solve problems or address opportunities to enhance services for Brisbane.

A proposal isn’t considered if:

  • the proposed goods or services are readily available in the market
  • it is a request for a grant or funding
  • we’ve issued a request for tender
  • it doesn’t demonstrate value for Brisbane
  • we believe the open market is a more appropriate channel to receive the proposal.

Read our guide to find out if your proposal is suitable and to understand the process.

Looking for something else?

Council tender process

Business support

Council strategies

How to prepare a proposal

To submit a Better Brisbane Proposal, you must address the following questions. Each answer has a limit of 500 words.

  1. What are the main features, benefits and goals of your proposal?
  2. What Council problem or opportunity do you want to resolve or address?
  3. How will you deliver your proposal and in what timeframe?
  4. What is the status of current intellectual property involved? 
  5. How much will it cost to implement and how does it represent value for money?
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Remember to:

  • show how your idea is unique and clearly different from competitors
  • detail the benefits or innovation the idea will deliver for Brisbane
  • show how your idea can be readily implemented
  • address how your idea contributes to the aspirations and themes of the Brisbane Vision 2031.

Get advice before you lodge

Unsure if your proposal is suitable? Contact us for a confidential discussion.

We can help guide you to decide whether your proposal is worth further consideration. 

For assistance:

Lodge your proposal

Use the following process to lodge your market-led proposal correctly.

1 Make sure your proposal is eligible

View the eligibility criteria.

2 Read and understand the Better Brisbane Proposals guide
3 Prepare your documentation

You need to prepare the following information and documents to lodge your proposal:

  • answers to the 5 proposal questions
  • contact details, including your name, organisation address and ABN
  • a brief description of your organisation (your product, market, etc.)
  • up to 5 supporting documents (not mandatory)
  • a copy of your corporate structure (recommended, not mandatory)
information outline

Note

Before you submit your proposal, think about whether you’re prepared to pay for some expenses if it’s accepted. Expenses could relate to attending a presentation, providing proof of concept or carrying out a trial of your proposal.

4 Submit your proposal

Complete the online form to submit your Better Brisbane Proposal.

Lodge your proposal

After you lodge

We aim to contact you within 10 business days. If necessary, you’ll be invited to meet with our officers to discuss your proposal before it’s assessed. 

For more information about Better Brisbane Proposals:

  • phone Council on 07 3403 8888
  • email Council
  • read the Better Brisbane Proposals guide and our Procurement Policy and Plan.

Frequently asked question

Anyone with a business idea can lodge a Better Brisbane Proposal at any time. A proposal can be about any idea that makes Brisbane better, subject to eligibility criteria. 

Responding to a tender involves submitting an offer to supply specific goods or services requested. Responding to a tender is a way of engaging in a formal procurement process. 

Find out more about the tender process and how to participate in a tender.

Yes, a Better Brisbane Proposal is an unsolicited proposal (also known as a market-led proposal). It’s a proactive approach to submitting proposals to Council, as opposed to responding to a tender request for specific products or services.