How government agencies can engage a creative agency through a panel

Short answer: if your agency or council can buy through a supplier panel, you can usually request a quote directly from a pre-approved panel member instead of running an open tender. Shoelace Creative is on the Services Australia Creative and Digital Communication Panel (videography and photography), the City of Melbourne production panel, and the City of Greater Dandenong and City of Manningham panels.

What a supplier panel is

A panel is a standing arrangement where a buyer has already assessed a group of suppliers on capability, insurance, pricing and compliance. Once a supplier is on the panel, agencies that can use it can approach that supplier for work under the panel's terms, without repeating the whole assessment.

Why buying through a panel is faster

• Suppliers have already been checked for capability, insurance and compliance
• Contract terms are already agreed, so legal review is lighter
• You can often request quotes directly instead of advertising an open tender

Every agency has its own procurement rules, including value thresholds and how many quotes you need. Check those first, then use the panel to move quickly within them.

How a panel engagement usually runs

1. Brief: you send the project brief and the panel reference to the supplier.
2. Quote: the supplier sends a written scope and quote under the panel terms.
3. Approval: your team approves the quote and raises a work order or purchase order.
4. Delivery: the work is delivered and invoiced against the order.

A panel example

The National Film and Sound Archive engaged us through the Services Australia panel. We merged three teams' briefs into one three-day production and delivered 550+ photos and 13 captioned videos. They have been back five times since.

What to put in a brief for a panel quote

• What the content has to achieve and who it is for
• Where it will be published and the formats you need
• Accessibility requirements, such as captions and transcripts
• Key dates, approvals and who signs off
• Your budget range, so the scope can match it

Common questions

Which panels is Shoelace Creative on?

The Services Australia Creative and Digital Communication Panel (videography and photography), the City of Melbourne production panel, and the City of Greater Dandenong and City of Manningham panels.

Can you deliver accessible content?

Yes. Our videos are delivered with captions, clean versions and caption files, and we have cast vision-impaired and wheelchair-using talent for accessibility projects.

Do you work outside Canberra and Melbourne?

Yes. We regularly film interstate and in regional Australia, and travel is quoted up front.

Request a panel quote

Send us your brief and panel reference and we will send a written scope and quote. Read more about our team and panels or start your quote.