Fran Foo | December 03, 2008
update: THE NSW government's $200 million-plus schools netbook program has officially kicked-off, and ICT companies have been encouraged to form consortiums to participate in the upcoming bidding process.
The government, via the NSW Department of Education (DET), today released two Expression of Interests (EOIs) to support its 200,000 students as part of the Rudd Labor Government's computers in schools program.
The EOIs are to deliver what the department calls "a compact learning device " and to install a wireless network in all NSW schools with Year 9 to 12 enrolments.
The device must not cost more than $500 and suppliers have to show that the ratio of purchase price to operational costs will be significantly lower than DET's current total cost of ownership.
Only netbooks at the moment can meet that price point.
The aim is to have at least 571 school sites with wireless connectivity over the next four years
"While the EOIs have been issued separately, they are closely related and each depends on features required in the other. Vendors should read both sets of documents in parallel, even where they intend to offer a solution for only one part," DET said.
The department advised interested parties to go through both EOIs.
"Vendors may submit a response to either or both EOIs. Vendors are also able to submit a response covering the combined requirements of both EOIs, but a combined response will only be accepted if a compliant response is received for one or both of the individual EOIs."
The department is leaning towards working with groups of companies rather than individual outfits.
"The department encourages vendors of learning devices, connectivity and service delivery to form consortia to offer combined, cost-effective solutions.
"Responses from a consortia must nominate a lead member to represent the consortia with regards to the response or any subsequent negotiations," it said.
Site surveys to install the wireless network would commence by March 1, 2009, the department said.
"Installation would commence by April 1 and be completed by end of February 2010."
Students will only be able to access the internet via DET network either from within the school or any other location.
This means they won't be able to roam freely on the internet.
The device will only work with a DET-issued login and password and must be no larger than an A4-sized paper, weighing no more than 1.75kg, battery included.
The screen should between 8.9 inches to 12 inches.
Long battery life is essential, the department said.
"The device will need to operate on battery power for the whole of the school day while using a wireless connection," it said.
It must be dust and moisture resistant and the device must not have any removable parts.
The operating environment was not specified but the department said the device "must provide a configurable operating system that supports DET shared network services".
The deadline for both EOIs is January 14, 2009.
A tender briefing will be held on December 10.