CSIRORFT2025038: Taxation Advice Venture Capital

Main Sequence is a deep tech venture capital firm established by CSIRO in 2017 with a mission to transform Australia’s publicly funded research into globally impactful businesses. The firm currently manages three funds, with more than A$1 billion in funds under management and an investment portfolio of over 60 deep tech companies. The objective of this engagement is to ensure that Main Sequence meets all Australian and international tax obligations accurately, efficiently, and in a cost-effective manner. These services will also support CSIRO’s broader governance and compliance objectives by ensuring that Main Sequence’s tax practices remain robust, transparent, scalable and aligned with regulatory and industry standards.

Where the Tenderer is a Relevant Employer, the Tenderer must provide evidence as specified in Schedule 3 item 1.3.5 of Attachment B - TRS(Tender Response Schedules). Further information can be found at clause 1. Tenderers proposing to provide Australian taxation services must: (a) hold a valid Tax Agent Registration with the Tax Practitioners Board; and (b) be a registered Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) or hold an equivalent qualification in accounting, taxation or law. Tenderers proposing to provide United States taxation services must: (a) hold a valid tax agent license or registration with the relevant U.S. regulatory authority; and (b) be a registered Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or hold an equivalent qualification in accounting, taxation or law. Subject to clause 5.8, Unintentional Errors of Form, CSIRO will exclude a Tenderer from further consideration if CSIRO considers in its absolute discretion that the Tenderer’s response does not meet the minimum content and format requirements listed in this clause. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this RFT, only requirements listed in this clause will be deemed minimum content and format requirements for the purposes of this RFT. a. The Tender must be lodged electronically via AusTender, the Australian Government Tendering System, in accordance with, clause 3., AusTender Terms and Conditions b. The Tenderer must complete and submit in their Response the: i. Tenderer’s Deed Poll, substantially in the form at Schedule 10, as set out in Attachment B - TRS(Tender Response Schedules). c. Noting the requirement at clause 5.3.1 b, Tenderers should substantially complete all remaining schedules of Attachment B - TRS(Tender Response Schedules), including the RFT Pricing Tables at Annexure A in the format provided. d. The Tender, including all attachments and supporting material, must be written in English. e. Alternative solutions will only be considered where the Tenderer also provides in its Tender, a response that conforms to the specified requirements of this RFT. Where the Tenderer is a Relevant Employer, the Tenderer must provide evidence as specified in Schedule 3 item 1.3.5 of Attachment B - TRS(Tender Response Schedules)

The tax services for each jurisdiction will be engaged under separate contracts however tenderers may bid to provided Australian tax compliance and advisory services, United States tax compliance and advisory services, or both.

The Tenderer must ensure that all tax filings, reports, and related deliverables are completed and lodged with the relevant tax authorities by the applicable statutory due dates. All other timeframes are to be agreed in writing by both parties.