Connecting Victoria Mobile Program and Public Wi-Fi in Ballarat and Bendigo

⁠⁠⁠The Victorian Government, as represented by the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR) is requesting market proposal to supply mobile connectivity services, as part of the Victorian Government’s $550 million Connecting Victoria initiative.

This request applies to two funding programs:

1. Connecting Victoria Mobile Program (Stage 1 open now)
2. VicFree (Public) WiFi services for Bendigo and Ballarat.

The eligibility requirements for these two funding are different, and details are listed below.

Connecting Victoria Mobile Program – new Victorian Government-led grant program, with an initial $26 million available now

Eligibility: Mobile Network Operators and Mobile Network Infrastructure Providers

The Victorian Government is commencing Stage 1 of a new Victorian Government-led grant program, which will make up to $26 million available to co-fund investments that improve 4G and 5G coverage in areas with high economic uplift potential.

Eligible vendors are also welcome to submit ‘Alternative Proposals’ that deliver improved mobile coverage through other means.

Stage 2 of the program is expected to open in early 2022, that will make available up to $250 million for investments that improve 4G and 5G coverage, deliver essential coverage or 5G in-fill.

Further details are included in the attached Connecting Victoria Mobile Program Guidelines, which include information relevant to both Stage 1 and 2. The Guidelines incorporate feedback received from vendors through the Request for Information process, which occurred from 7 September 2021 to 24 September 2021 (RFI DJPR – MP – 001).

Vendors are encouraged to start preparing for the Stage 2 market engagement, including through potential formation of joint proposals and consortia.

Public Wi-Fi in Ballarat and Bendigo

Eligibility: all licensed telecommunications carriers

The Department is seeking responses from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to deliver and maintain new or upgraded infrastructure that enables next generation free public WiFi services in both Ballarat and Bendigo.

Further details are included in the attached Public Wi-Fi Services Ballarat and Bendigo Guidelines.

Response requirements

This invitation will close at noon on Friday 19 November 2021.

Submissions must be lodged electronically at www.tenders.vic.gov.au.

Vendors can respond to one or both of the program components, but must submit responses to each component separately using the returnable schedule templates included in each of the guidelines. Submitted responses will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria set out in each Guideline. However, where a supplier has submitted proposals for both components, these will be viewed favourably by the Department if they represent an overall improved value for money outcome or more effectively deliver the program objectives.

Guidelines for each program are available for download. Template grant agreements for each program will be provided by late October, as addenda to the respective program guidelines.

If vendors have any questions, please raise those through the Buying For Victoria forum function. For any questions raised, the Department will issue responses to all vendors, except in instances where questions relate to commercially sensitive information.