Telecommunications Solutions CUATEL2021

Panel 1 – Mobile network solutions

Panel 1 provides access to mobile (cellular) networks. This panel is structured into the following three subcategories of Goods and Services:

• 1.1 – Core connectivity services: Mobile cellular telecommunications connectivity and associated traffic charges, providing connectivity to support mobility hardware.
• 1.2 – Hardware: End-use or telemetry equipment with the in-built ability to connect to public voice and data cellular networks. The following hardware types are available:

^{* Devices that do not require cellular and/or satellite connectivity should be purchased through CUACMD2021 – Computing and Mobile Devices.}

• 1.3 – Mobility Solutions: End-to-end solutions offered by a Contractor that utilises a mobile telecommunications network that may include a combination of hardware, software and services. This includes solutions like Mobile Device Management (MDM) and SMS Gateway/Bulk Services.

Additional services

The following additional services are offered by Panel 1 Contractors:

Panel 2 – Satellite network solutions

Panel 2 provides access to satellite network solutions, covering multiple satellite networks and categories of satellite orbits including:

• Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite networks;
• Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite networks; and
• Geostationary (GEO) satellite networks.

This panel is structured into the following four categories of Goods and Services:

• 2.1 – Core Connectivity Services: Satellite telecommunications connectivity and associated traffic charges, providing connectivity and support to mobile satellite hardware.

• 2.2 – Hardware: Mobile end-use or telemetry equipment with the ability to connect to satellite networks. 

  Fixed satellite and related infrastructure are out of scope (please refer to section 'Out of scope'). 

  Customers will need to purchase satellite devices, such as handsets, from the chosen network service provider as handsets only work with the respective satellite network. For example, a Thuraya device cannot access the Iridium network. The following hardware types are within scope on a non-mandatory basis:

• 2.3 – Satellite solutions: End-to-end portable solutions offered by the Contractor that utilise satellite networks that may include a combination of hardware, software and services. This includes solutions like MDM, tracking or security solutions.

Additional services and software

The following additional services and software are offered by some Panel 2 Contractors (as specified in the eDecision Aid – Contractor Profile Document)

Panel 3 – Billing management solutions

Panel 3 provides billing management, reporting and analysis Services for all mobile and satellite telecommunications Goods and Services purchased by CUA Customers. These services are delivered through a whole of government Telecommunications Expense Management System (TEMS) that centralises all carriers’ billing information into a single platform.

This panel is structured into the following two categories:

• 3.1 – Base requirements: Provision of reporting to the Department of Treasury and Finance and access to the Whole of Government Base TEMS solution. Customers may access the TEMS containing their organisation’s billing data and a suite of reports on this to assist in reporting on and managing their mobile and/or satellite fleets.
• 3.2 – Additional requirements: Customers may source a range of additional functionality and/or services to assist in management and optimisation of their mobile fleets including:
  • additional TEMS modules or enhancements to the base TEMS functionality;
  • reporting and analysis to provide greater insights into savings and optimisation opportunities;
  • expanded help-desk or other support services;
  • fully or partially managed billing services; and
  • additional ad-hoc services.

Panel 4 – Telephony solutions

Panel 4 provides access to telephony (fixed) networks. This panel is structured into the following two categories:

• 4.1 – Core connectivity services: Fixed telecommunications connectivity and associated traffic charges.
• 4.2 – Hardware: End-use equipment with the in-built ability to connect to public voice networks. The following hardware types are available:
• Non-Mandatory Hardware
  • Desk phones
  • Reception phones
  • Reception consoles
  • Headsets

Panel 5 – Connectivity solutions

Panel 5 provides access to fixed data networks. This panel is structured into the following two categories:

• 5.1 – Fixed data services: Fixed data connectivity providing dedicated connectivity to business locations.
• 5.2 – Internet access services: Internet access services providing connectivity to the internet.

• Infrastructure such as mobile cellular towers; and
• End user computing and mobile hardware products that do not have an in-built ability to connect to mobile or satellite networks, such as desktop personal computers and overseas products (non-Australian variants that may not be compatible with local mobile networks).

Customers have the ability to source some standalone devices without the in-built ability to connect to mobile or satellite networks under the Computing and Mobile Devices CUA (CMD2021).  

For further information regarding CUA scope, please speak to the Contract Manager.

Buying direct

Direct (pick and buy) purchasing is available for All Values of Goods and/or Services from CUATEL2021 Contractors; however, this must be based on the Customer’s Value for Money assessment. 

Customers must also comply with their organisation’s internal procurement policies and guidelines. This may include the creation of a Business Case, Procurement Plan or other relevant documents addressing value-for-money consideration in accordance with the Customer’s delegation requirements. 

In accordance with Western Australian Procurement Rules, you can buy outside of this CUA and directly source from an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) or Aboriginal Business.

Education customers

For any Department of Education/School related queries please contact the Department of Education Customer Service Centre (see contact section on the right of this page).

When purchasing goods and/or services, State agencies, and any private sector organisations purchasing on their behalf, must understand and comply with the policy requirements outlined in the Western Australian Procurement Rules.

The below table is a summary of the requirements, and State agencies are encouraged to review the WA Procurement Rules. 

Procurement planning

Request development and contract formation

Contract management

Exemption from using this CUA

The Department of Treasury and Finance is responsible for processing and approving all requests from State Agencies seeking exemption from using a mandatory CUA. Requests for an exemption are considered on a case-by-case basis, and a requesting agency must be able to demonstrate that a business need cannot be adequately met by the relevant CUA.

Exemption requests should be directed to the Assistant Director, Business Solutions through an email to the Contract Manager in the first instance. Requests for exemption must be in writing via email and must provide sufficient explanation and background to enable the request to be considered. The requesting officer should be the Accountable Authority or delegate of the agency.

For guidelines on what to include in an exemption request, please refer to the  Common Use Arrangements Procurement Practice Guideline.

This contract complies with Western Australian Procurement Rules and reflects a commitment to sustainable practices. Contractors may offer buyback and trade-in programs to enable device reuse or recycling, minimising landfill waste. 

Buyback or trade-in

Customers can engage with Contractors’ specialised partners under Panels 1, 2 and 4, to buyback or trade-in old hardware for account credits or direct bank deposits.

These services are not limited to hardware purchased from the same Contractor and may include: 

• Collection (optional).
• Data sanitisation (optional).
• Disposal (mandatory).

Buyback or trade-ins are an end-to-end service involving the following steps:

1. Customer requests a buyback quote.
2. Customer’s preparation of devices for collection by the Contractor/Partner.
3. Collection and shipment of devices.
4. Assessment and confirmation.
5. Processing of devices including data sanitisation and disposal of non-valuable devices.
6. Customer approval and issuance of credit or funds. 

These services are delivered through specialised partners of the following Contractors:

Further information is outlined in Contractors’ Contractor Profile Documents which can be found in the eDecision Aid.

Refer to CUATEL2021 Contractor Catalogue, for the list of approved CUA Contractors and contact information.

Services & solutions pricing

Pricing information is ‘commercial in confidence’ and as such unauthorised use of the information is strictly prohibited.

The prices are available for viewing to Approved CUA Users only.

Access to services pricing information requires the user to log in with a password. Requests for access must be sent via your work email address to demonstrate you are employed by an organisation included in the Approved CUA Users list.

When access has been granted, pricing can be viewed via the eDecision Aid – Contractor Profiles.

Hardware pricing

Hardware pricing is based on minimum discount rates these are available through the eDecision Aid - Contractor Profiles.

For a complete list of available products, please consult the CUA Contractors.

Additional volume discounts may apply at the Order level for higher volumes of Hardware. Customers should seek quotes from CUA Contractors where larger volumes of Hardware are required. 

Payment by purchasing card

The government purchasing card offers a quick and convenient method of payment allowing goods and services to be efficiently purchased.

Always remember to inform the contractor that you will be paying by government purchasing card, at the time of ordering the product or service, and ensure they clearly understand that they must send the tax invoice directly to you, the cardholder.

• Services offered longer than 12 months should be evaluated closely as they can be refreshed regularly to ensure value for money. Additionally, customers should factor in technology/innovation funds, as these benefits are available with many longer-term service plan options.
• Customers planning to contract for longer than 12 months should seek quotes from all contractors under the relevant category.
• Refer to the eDecision Aid to obtain the latest pricing for Telecommunications Services. These prices can only be accessed by approved CUA users.
• Customers should consolidate their bills under one account and consider online or ‘On- Net’ payment methods to further reduce transaction costs.
• Customers may wish to consider separate contractors for metropolitan and regional areas when deciding on value for money.
• Customers seeking large volumes of hardware (>50 devices) should seek quotes from Contractors, as larger volume hardware purchases typically include higher discount rates.
• When evaluating recontracting options, consider your data requirements. It is important not to pay for large volumes of unused data (oversubscribe) or large excess data charges (undersubscribe). For further information on optimising your service plans please contact the Contract Manager.

To obtain prices and order forms associated with the CUA, Buyers should log in to the eDecision Aid.

Pick and Buy Purchasing is available for services with published pricing within the price schedules. Value for money must be considered when selecting Goods and Services from the CUA for both metropolitan and regional buyers.

Customers requiring a variation to the standard specifications in the CUA should negotiate the prices/rates with the selected contractor. If this does not result in agreed prices/rates, then State agencies should seek quotes from all contractors.

Active contract management pays off

• Check your invoices to ensure the correct price has been charged, before authorising payment
• Manage your contract term – keep an eye on your contract expiry date.
• Test the market on a regular basis to see what the other contractors on the CUA are offering.
• Monitor service level compliance.
• Document any issues as they arise even if they are resolved. This will assist in ongoing contractor performance management.
• If you are unable to resolve issues please contact the Contract Manager.