QLD Dept of Education sounds out market for statewide network deployment

The Queensland Department of Education (DoE) has gone to the market to size up suppliers capable of rolling out network infrastructure across the state, in an expression of interest (EOI) that will help shape the design of a future procurement arrangement.

The EOI is a preliminary, non-contracting market engagement through which DoE wants to understand market capability, capacity and interest in delivering end-to-end network infrastructure deployment services across all Queensland regions.

Specifically, it is seeking to gauge the market’s ability to mobilise resources, manage regional delivery challenges and deliver ICT infrastructure at scale; the extent of supplier capability and capacity across the state; the delivery models suppliers use to support regional, rural and remote locations; the level of end-to-end and specialist capability available; and opportunities to improve procurement design, service categories and delivery models, including capability gaps, emerging technologies and innovative delivery approaches that could shape the final procurement model.

DoE is running the EOI on behalf of the Queensland Government. While any future arrangement may be opened to broader Queensland Government use, the department says the operational environments, deployment requirements and demand profiles of both DoE and eHealth/Queensland Health (QH) are key inputs informing the design.

It describes DoE and QH as two of the Queensland Government’s largest and most geographically dispersed ICT environments, together operating thousands of sites across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote Queensland, both undertaking significant network deployment and refresh activity.

Beyond current network-hardware lifecycle programs, DoE flags that future infrastructure renewal initiatives could increase demand for network deployment, passive infrastructure, civil works and associated implementation services over the medium term, though scope, timing and funding remain subject to planning and approvals.

On the delivery context, DoE sets out an estate of large, dispersed sites - education facilities, healthcare facilities, administrative offices, operational sites and other government locations - with varying technical and operational requirements.

Work could range from small site-based upgrades to large-scale, multi-region refresh and renewal programs covering active network equipment, passive infrastructure and implementation services, across a range of network platforms and deployment models, requiring suppliers to show flexibility and scalability.

Much of it takes place in operationally sensitive environments where disruption must be minimised, with site-specific scheduling, access, security and safety requirements, so suppliers must be able to coordinate across many site types while maintaining service quality, safety and operational continuity.

DoE also notes that some customers run approved-supplier models: its own customers and delivery partners, such as builders, are required to engage a DoE-approved supplier for network cabling and active network equipment installation unless an approved exemption applies. The department is encouraging responses both from end-to-end providers and from specialists - including suppliers whose capability is limited to passive works, where those services support network deployment outcomes.

The department has signalled where the exercise could lead: in its stated future procurement intent, DoE says the EOI outcomes may inform sourcing strategies, category planning, business cases and procurement design - and may include, though are not limited to, establishing a whole-of-government standing offer arrangement to replace the existing ICT Network Infrastructure Cabling Panel.

The EOI closes at 4pm AEST on 12 October 2026.