Dell Australia has replaced Brisbane reseller Data#3 as the supplier for Queensland’s Computers for Teachers program, choosing to go direct to the vendor for a deal potentially worth tens of millions of dollars.
The state’s Department of Education and Training (DET) will offer Dell’s 5490, 5290 2-in-1, 7390 and 3520 models to eligible schools, with the contract’s value dependent on which devices are chosen and how many schools decide to purchase additional devices.
DET will also work alongside Apple, offering schools the option to purchase 13-inch Macbook Air laptops as well.
“The Department of Education ran a competitive evaluation process for the Computers for Teachers laptops program,” a spokesperson from the department told CRN.
“The offeror is evaluated according to multiple criteria in an evaluation plan.”
The department did not reveal the other suppliers that bidded for the contract as the information was commercial-in-confidence, but said there were a number of pre-qualified suppliers that were eligible to bid.
The Computers for Teachers program, which was introduced in 2006, equips teachers in Queensland schools with new devices every four years before the end-of-life period. Teachers can also access Microsoft's online training and qualifications program Microsoft IT Academy.
Data#3 won the same contract in 2016, supplying up to 12,000 HP devices to the department, adding to its then-22-year relationship with the DET. The reseller declined to comment when contacted by CRN.
CRN also reached out to Dell Australia for comment.
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