Closed

Request for Quote: Next Generation Connectivity for Australian Agriculture: Assessing the Impact of LEOSat-Enabled Connectivity

Tender ID: 595783


Tender Details

Organisation:
Tender #:
-  
Status:
Closed
Publish Date:
25 September 2025
Closing Date:
7 October 2025
Closing Time:
12:00 PM (Australia/NSW)

Tender Description

AgriFutures Australia is seeking applications to conduct a thorough review of the opportunities and risks associated with LEOSat-enabled connectivity for Australian agriculture. The project will define the sector’s connectivity needs and potential benefits from LEOSat and Direct-to-Handset technologies, assess barriers and readiness for adoption and recommend regulatory, policy and investment frameworks to ensure agriculture can fully capitalise on these emerging capabilities


Background

Connectivity is foundational to modern, data-enabled, globally competitive agriculture. As Low Earth Orbit Satellite (LEOSat) technologies with Direct-to-Handset (DTH) capabilities come online in 2025, Australian agriculture stands at a critical juncture. LEOSat enabled connectivity has the potential to be transformative for rural Australia. The agriculture industry needs to understand the possibilities this technology will unlock, to ensure government, industry and telecommunications providers can be aligned when making decisions which impact connectivity for the sector. Without an evidence-base to underpin future policy and investment decisions there is a risk that the agriculture sector fails to realise the full benefit of this transformative technology.

The agricultural industry continues to face systemic connectivity challenges that limit productivity, sustainability and agtech adoption.  Connectivity providers and the Australian government are investing in increasing the quality and reach of connectivity solutions in regional Australia but there is a lack of unbiased and objective information about the needs of the agricultural workforce, their families and communities to effectively direct strategies and investment decisions. The outputs of this project will directly contribute to framing future investment and policy decisions, ensuring that industry needs are explicit for all stakeholders.

The anticipated introduction of new connectivity technology and capabilities, including LEOSat supported calls and data, presents an opportunity to define a new vision for rural connectivity, as we answer the question; how much more resilient and productive could the sector be with improved connectivity?  This research will provide the evidence and strategic framing required to ensure agribusinesses can access and capitalise on a rapidly changing telecommunications landscape.

Service requirements

Objective

To deliver an evidence-based review of the LEOSat opportunity for Australian agriculture, focused on:

  • Defining the sector’s needs and opportunities from LEOSat and DTH technologies
  • Assessing barriers, risks and current readiness for adoption
  • Recommending regulatory, policy and investment settings to ensure agriculture can access the full benefits of transformative connectivity technology.

The successful provider will: 

  • Conduct a targeted review of the current connectivity profile and challenges for Australian agriculture
  • Analyse the potential role of LEOSat/DTH technologies in meeting agricultural connectivity needs and creating new opportunities and provide data on the current uptake of Starlink and LEOSat technologies
  • Analyse the potential risk to the industry of increased LEOSat adoption and reliance
  • Engage stakeholders from industry, government and the telecommunications sector to define a strategic vision to address on farm connectivity needs
  • Provide strategic advice on regulatory and investment levers needed to support equitable access to LEOSat connectivity.

Timeline

DateActivity
Tuesday, 23 September 2025 RFQ – applications open

Friday, 26 September 2025 End of period for questions or requests for information

12pm (noon) AEDT Monday, 6 October 2025 RFQ – applications close

Monday, 13 October 2025 Intended completion date of evaluation of respondents responses

Monday, 13 October – Friday, 17 October 2025 Negotiations with respondents (if applicable)

Friday, 24 October 2025 Expected execution of contract or issue of agreement

Monday, 27 October 2025 Date of commencement of Project

How to make a submission

Applications for this Request for Quote must be submitted online using the application in K2.

Click here to login to K2

Users must create a K2 account before submitting a proposal. To set up a secure account before submitting a proposal, please visit the login page below to access our new user or new company request forms.

Usernames and passwords will only be issued while the applicable round is open.

K2 guides and login | AgriFutures Australia

If you require assistance, please contact helpdesk@agrifutures.com.au

Terms of reference

AgriFutures Australia uses standard form contracts and agreements for projects and research procured by AgriFutures Australia. These contracts and agreements set out the terms on which AgriFutures Australia will engage successful applicants to carry out the project.

Applicants must be familiar with the contracts and agreements before submitting a response and are advised to seek legal advice beforehand.

These contracts and agreements have been developed to reflect AgriFutures Australia’s statutory and other procurement responsibilities.

If you require any amendments to the standard agreement, please complete the statement of non-compliance for each of the relevant clause. AgriFutures will then assess those requests.

Applicants will be taken to have agreed to all clauses in the Research Agreement that are not referred to in a statement of non-compliance. The extent of any non-compliance will be a factor in AgriFutures Australia’s evaluation of the application.

If you require further information regarding these contracts and agreements please, contact:

Stephanie-Kate Bratton

Legal Counsel, AgriFutures Australia

stephanie-kate.bratton@agrifutures.com.au

Contact

If you have any questions about the RFQ process, please contact:

Noella Powell

Manager, Rural Futures

Noella.powell@agrifutures.com.au



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