_2026 EUPISD Erate Consortium C2 MIBS Owned Equip and Firewall.pdf

Form 470# 260021365

2026 EUP E-rate Consortium

BEN 17001648

C2 MIBS and Security Appliance as Firewall (for IC equipment +LIC being purchased under 470# 260000269)

Request for Proposals

SEALED proposals:

Proposals must be submitted in a sealed envelope:

● two hard copies and one electronic copy on memory stick,

● sent via USPS, FedEx, UPS or hand delivered, and

● marked as follows:

EUP E-Rate CONSORTIUM 315 Armory Place Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783

ATTN: Form 470 # 260021365

Proposals due March 20, 2026 at 2PM Eastern and the public bid opening follows at the address above. Proposals received after this day and time will be returned unopened and will not be considered.

Questions and Answers

Deadline for questions: February 20, 2026 4pm Eastern.

Email questions about this RFP to:

Angie McArthur, angiem@eupschools.org and to erate@sounderate.com Answers will be uploaded as addenda to USAC Portal.

Purpose and Intent of the RFP

On behalf of its Members ("MEMBERS, MEMBER"), the EUP E-Rate CONSORTIUM ("CONSORTIUM") is seeking proposal(s) from qualified service providers for E-rate Category 2, Managed Internal Broadband Service for to be purchased / owned equipment to all E-Rate eligible CONSORTIUM entities.

This MIBS request was mistakenly left off of Form 470 # 260000269. That RFP included requests for

● Category 1 IA and Data Transmission

● Category 2 Internal Connections and

● MIBS for the IC, but the MIBS checkboxes are missing from the Form 470 itself.

● In addition, the Fortigate (or equivalent) was requested as a Router but not Firewall.

https://portal.usac.org/suite/tempo/records/item/v0_PzFRLGqUg2w8yrweKDjSUwEdHwcJ4b5ibF0SOJsTGyJ9v-ec12QvSz6IIrNe16od89UmZbo9KCusXvF3bXW9VzADyJCk2wMj7Ezlu7rjeqDSmOgSa10YiuAk9q7kV4cHbK0q/view/summary mailto:angiem@eupschools.org mailto:erate@sounderate.com https://portal.usac.org/suite/tempo/records/item/v0_PzFRLGqUg2w8yrweKDjSUwEdHwcJ4b5ibF0SOJsTGyJ9v-ec12QvSz6IIrNe16od89UmZbo9KCusXvF3bXW9VzADyJCk2wMj7Ezlu7rjeqDSmOgSa10YiuAk9q7kV4cHbK0q/view/summary

● This Form 470 260021365 cures both clerical errors by including the MIBS for equipment to be purchased, including the Fortigate (or equivalent) equipment as Firewall. Please use the attached Cost Worksheet to enter your bid data in the highlighted sections.

Vendors must be sufficiently qualified to provide equipment and service to all of the CONSORTIUM, MEMBER school districts listed in attached cost worksheet regardless of whether or not the school district requires services, and must demonstrate the ability to provide reliable, high-quality services meeting the minimum specifications set forth in this Request for Proposal ("RFP") and any addenda to this RFP, or mutually agreed upon alternates. Respondents must have an existing and active Universal Service Fund (USF) program Service Provider Identification Number ("SPIN") for eligible products or services that are being proposed to be considered sufficiently qualified to bid (you may bid non-eligible related technology products and services without a SPIN).

Respondents to this RFP must propose goods and services that meet all of the requirements of the Universal Service Fund ("E-rate") program. Submission of a proposal in response to this RFP signifies respondent's assurance that it has included all of the legal, technical, administrative, management, and support requirements to ensure full compliance with E-rate program requirements regardless of whether or not such are specifically enumerated in this RFP. Products and services bid must clearly be broken out into USF eligible and non-eligible service and components.

The intent of this RFP is to obtain proposals from qualified vendors, which, through a thorough, objective review process will result in the selection of and contracting with one or more vendors.

Although the CONSORTIUM anticipates selecting and contracting with one or more vendors through this process, the CONSORTIUM reserves the right to reject any and/or all proposals, including separate proposals, and select only those goods and services which the CONSORTIUM believes to be in their best interest as the most cost effective solution and also reserve the right to consider any and all eligible master contracts that may be available to the CONSORTIUM.

Vendors must submit a proposal for the provision of any or all of the goods and/or services requested. Respondents are also encouraged to propose multiple solutions if there is more than one approach to the requirements of any section. Differing approaches should be included on separate bid forms and should be sufficiently identified as "alternate" proposals.

USF

The CONSORTIUM intends to apply for Universal Service Fund (USF or E-rate) discounts for those eligible goods and services being requested through this RFP. Responding vendors must fully comply with the requirements of the E-rate program as administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (www.USAC.org/e-rate). Respondents seeking to contract with the CONSORTIUM or any of its MEMBERS in response to this RFP must, in addition to meeting all requirements of the E-rate program, complete all forms and make all accommodations necessary for E-rate funding, and must ensure that all goods and services provided meet all E-rate guidelines for

1. eligible services and products,

2. service providers, and

3. contracts.

A. As part of their bid, respondents must clearly identify which goods and services proposed are eligible for E-rate discounts, including any and all items/services which are or are not eligible.

B. All goods and services which are being bid under this RFP are expressly conditioned and contingent on the CONSORTIUM obtaining E-rate discounts, however, the CONSORTIUM reserves the right to proceed with a goods and service contract regardless of the outcome of the E-rate discounts.

C. Respondents agree to comply with all E-rate rules, regulations, guidelines, and limitations that are currently in place or as may come into place during any contract term, regardless of whether or not such rules, regulations, guidelines, and limitations are known. Respondents must familiarize themselves with the E-rate program for K-12 schools to ensure that compliance is mandatory.

D. Respondents agree that in the event of an E-rate audit or Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) process, respondents will respond to the CONSORTIUM, consultant on behalf of CONSORTIUM, and/or any MEMBER, or to the USAC within three business days of the initial contact/request for information. Failure to respond to these requests may represent a material breach of any fully executed agreement and may permit immediate termination of the agreement.

E. Respondents agree to retain any and all records related to respondent's bid and/or provision of products or services under this RFP for a minimum of ten (10) years following the start of service and/or installation of equipment with management service under this RFP.

Respondent further agrees to make any such records available within three business days of a request from the CONSORTIUM, consultant on behalf of CONSORTIUM, MEMBERS, or from the USAC.

The E-rate funding year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year. Typically, funding decision letters are not issued until sometime after April 30, and invoicing for reimbursement is not available from USAC until July 1. In consideration to the CONSORTIUM MEMBERS, vendors are requested to bill only those ineligible products or services and the school district's non-discounted portion of the discounted service prior to the receipt of the funding commitment decision letter(s) - aka SPI (Service Provider Invoicing) required.

Implementation Schedule CONSORTIUM is seeking MIBS on the equipment to be purchased.

NOTE: The original Form 470 # 260000269 did not include MIBS checkboxes on the form, but was requested in the RFP. This Form 470 and RFP cure that request.

1. For FY 2026, service is generally to begin on July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2037. This will be dependent upon a positive Funding Commitment Decision Letter and Purchase Order of equipment. In addition to the first year of service:

a. Must allow annual pricing for five-year agreement to begin on July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031 to coincide with the E-rate 5-year budget cycle. Will entertain an additional 1, 5-year extension for managed internal broadband service resulting in a potential 10-year agreement.

2. Contracts must be awarded and executed in accordance with the USF deadlines. Contracts will be contingent upon the CONSORTIUM receiving an actual E-rate funding commitment with an option for the CONSORTIUM to accept the goods and services in the absence of receiving an actual funding commitment.

General Requirements/Conditions of Bidders Proposals submitted in response to this RFP represent an offer to contract on the part of respondent, and proposals must remain in effect for at least 180 days from the date of receipt of the proposal by the CONSORTIUM.

A. No bidder may withdraw a proposal after submission of the proposal except in case where a bidder demonstrates to the CONSORTIUM MEMBERS satisfaction that a material and substantial mistake was made in preparing the proposal, in which event the bidder has 24 hours after receipt of the bid to deliver to the CONSORTIUM MEMBERS, a notice in writing that he/she desires to withdraw his/her proposal and stating the reasons therefore. Once a proposal is withdrawn, it may not be re-submitted.

B. The CONSORTIUM, or any of its MEMBERS will not pay any costs associated with the preparation of a submission of any bids in response to this RFP.

C. The selected vendor must not be currently debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment by any federal entity. Submission of a bid in response to this request for bids represents respondent's acknowledgement that respondent is not debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment by any federal agency.

D. The selected vendor(s) shall be responsible for all design, information gathering, and required programming to ensure a successful implementation of the services for which the.vendor's proposal is accepted. No additional charges (besides those which are included on the selected bidder's response sheets) shall be made or accepted by the CONSORTIUM or any of its MEMBERS, unless such is mutually agreed upon in writing. Proposals must include all hardware, software and licensing costs associated with providing, installing, and configuring the equipment and services, including, but not limited to:

a. perpetual operation and management of the internal broadband equipment

b. replacement and repair costs

c. costs associated with providing "as-built" documents to the applicable

CONSORTIUM MEMBER and

d. all ancillary equipment costs.

E. All of the CONSORTIUM member school districts are operating under Michigan's Revised School Code. As such, the districts are typically exempt from taxation. The CONSORTIUM will not pay any taxes unless the selected vendor(s) can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the CONSORTIUM that the CONSORTIUM member is not exempt from the payment of that tax.

F. The CONSORTIUM and/or any MEMBER will require the selected vendor to enter into a written contract for the provision of services. This RFP and the selected vendor(s) proposal will be incorporated into the contract by reference as will any written clarifications between the parties, which are mutually agreed upon by the parties. Should there be a conflict between the various documents, the order of precedence shall be as follows:

(1) the Agreement,

(2) the bid bulletins and clarifications between the CONSORTIUM/participating MEMBER, and the Contractor,

(3) the CONSORTIUM's Request for Proposals, and

(4) the Contractor's response to the CONSORTIUM's Request for Proposals.

G. The selected vendor(s) agrees that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, military status, genetic information, or any other statutorily protected category be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any contract between the CONSORTIUM and/or any MEMBER and the vendor.

Warranty Requirements of Selected Vendor(s) - aka Contractor

A. The CONSORTIUM and Contractor represent and warrant that

(i) it has the full authority to perform its obligations,

(ii) Contractor’s execution or performance will not violate or be considered a breach of any obligation of such party to any third party, and

(iii) Contractor’s execution or performance will not violate any applicable law or regulation.

B. Contractor represents and warrants that it will perform the services and deliver equipment in a good and workmanlike manner, using only qualified personnel, and that the services and equipment will function in all material respects in accordance with the applicable specifications, and will be free from material defects in design, materials, workmanship, and disruption, and that the goods and services will be fit for the purpose intended.

C. Contractor understands that service uptime is critical to the CONSORTIUM and that any disruption in Service to the CONSORTIUM will constitute a meaningful impact to the CONSORTIUM. CONSORTIUM member's general hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM, EST.

D. The Contractor will obtain and maintain at all times during the term of this Contract all applicable business and professional licenses necessary to provide the Services.

E. The Contractor warrants and affirms that it has good title to all goods and services to be provided free and clear from any encumbrances and that such title will be transferred to the CONSORTIUM and/or applicable CONSORTIUM.

F. The Contractor warrants and affirms that it has reviewed all applicable E-rate rules, regulations, guidelines, and limitations and that it will comply with all such rules, regulations, guidelines, and limitations regardless of whether or not such are known to them. Contractor further warrants that the services and goods for which Contractor has bid are, to the extent identified by Contractor, 100% eligible for E-rate discount.

Proposal Content and Directions for How to Respond As part of a proposal package, respondents must submit the following:

A. Cover letter signed by an individual authorized to bind the respondent in a legal contract. The cover letter should include the proposer's name, business type (i.e. corporation, LLC, etc.), principal place of business address, contact information for the point of contact regarding the proposal, the name and contact information for the individual responsible for E-rate on behalf of respondent, respondent's Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) (FCC Form 498).

B. Costs for service to each CONSORTIUM MEMBER for services and terms stated in this

RFP.

a. Costs must be broken out for each CONSORTIUM MEMBER as follows:

i. Service eligible for discount

ii. Service not eligible for discount

C. Please see attached Cost Worksheet for purchased equipment and MIBS costs. MIBS is being requested as a 5-year agreement, with annual charges. Use appropriate cells to enter pricing and submit as part of the proposal. Missing data in the worksheet may be grounds for disqualification.

D. Administratively, please use:

a. Cost Worksheet from Form 470 # 260000269 only for equipment and

b. Cost worksheet from this Form 470# 260021365 for MIBS charges.

E. Include Attachments below: Familial Disclosure and Iran Economic Sanctions documents with bid.

Evaluation RFP responses will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:

Cost (30% weighting), including, but not necessarily limited to:

A. One-Time Fees;

B. Rate Structure and/or ongoing service/license fees (if applicable);

C. Total Expected Cost of Contracted Services

Specification Compliance (25% weighting), including, but not necessarily limited to:

A. Proposed compliance with the specifications;

B. Demonstrated ability to comply with the specifications;

C. Compliance with all proposal requirements.

Flexibility of Implementation & Use (25% weighting), including but not necessarily limited to:

A. Proposed implementation schedule and demonstrated ability to maintain the schedule.

Experience and Support (20% weighting), including, but not necessarily limited to:

A. Availability of Support Personnel;

a. Local/National support structure and capacity

b. Demonstrated responsiveness

c. Response time guarantees

B. Operational Guarantees;

a. Overall system availability

b. Real-time responsiveness

C. Vendor Organization.

a. Experience & History of Providing Requested Services

b. Size

c. Reputation

d. Specialization

e. Financial viability

Attachment A – Familial Disclosure Form

AFFIDAVIT OF (insert name of affiant)

STATE OF MICHIGAN )

) SS

COUNTY OF __________________________)

____________________________________________ makes this Affidavit under oath and states as follows:

(Insert name of affiant)

1. I am a/the:

❏ President ❑ Vice-President

❏ Chief Executive Officer ❑ Member

❏ Partner ❑ Owner

❏ Other (please specify)__________________________________________________ of______________________________________________________, a bidder for Erate EUP Consortium, (EUPISD fiduciary) for C2 MIBS.

2. I have personal knowledge and/or I have personally verified that the following are all of the familial relationships existing between the owner(s) and the employee(s) of the aforementioned contractor and the school district’s superintendent and/or board members.

3. I have the authority to bind the aforementioned contractor with the representations contained herein, and I am fully aware that the school district will rely on my representations in evaluating bids for the transportation services.

4. I declare the above information to be true to the best of my knowledge, information and belief. I can completely and accurately testify regarding the information contained in this affidavit if requested to do so.

(Signature of affiant) (Date)

Subscribed and sworn before me in ______________________________ County, Michigan on the ____ day of ______________________________, 20____.

Signature: ________________________________________________________

Printed Name: ________________________________________________________

Notary Public, State of Michigan, County of _________________________________.

My Commission expires on _______________________________________________.

Acting in the County of __________________________________________________.

Attachment B – Iran Economic Sanctions Act Certification

I am the (title) _______________________________ of (bidder)

_____________________________________, or I am bidding in my individual capacity ("Bidder"), with authority to submit a binding bid for the provision of Erate C2 MIBS for EUP Erate Consortium, (EUPISD, fiduciary). I have personal knowledge of the matters described in this Certification, and I am familiar with the

Iran Economic Sanctions Act, MCL 129.311, et seq. ("Act"). I am fully aware that the Intermediate School

District will rely on my representations in evaluating bids.

I certify that Bidder is not an Iran-linked business, as that term is defined in the Act. I understand that submission of a false certification may result in contract termination, ineligibility to bid for three (3) years, and a civil penalty of $250,000 or twice the bid amount, whichever is greater, plus related investigation and legal costs.

(Signature)

(Printed name)

(Date)