Background:

Austin Health operates a network-based Public Announcement (PA) system using BiAmp Vocia VO4e, DS10, VOIP1-4 components across multiple campuses, including the Austin Hospital (Heidelberg site), Repatriation Hospital, and Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre. The system provides essential paging and emergency communications throughout clinical and non-clinical areas.

The current architecture supports scalability and integration over a common VLAN, allowing internal and inter-site expansion. At the Austin Hospital Heidelberg site, four buildings (Austin Tower, LTB, HSB, and Medi Hotel) are connected via a common Vocia headend using networked audio expanders and the site’s existing EWIS (Emergency Warning & Intercommunication Systems). Other buildings operate with legacy 100V speaker systems or local amplifiers.

The purpose of this RFI is to provide Austin Health’s management with clear visibility of the current PA system, support a more proactive approach to its maintenance and enhancement, and inform long-term strategic planning to ensure the service evolves in line with emerging technologies over the next 5 to 10 years.

The objective of this project is to:

1. Conduct an assessment to develop a high-level schematic of the existing hardware and network layout.

2. Identify gaps between the current and proposed state, with a focus on VOIP integration and modern Vocia components.

3. Recommend design upgrades and standardised connection methods using VOIP interfaces.

4. Propose a future-proofed support and maintenance strategy.

5. Provide a detailed cost breakdown for hardware, installation, integration, and ongoing support.