32701-04678.pdf

This is Amendment #1 to Request for Proposals #32701-04678 issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for a Wireless-as-a-Service (WaaS) provider to deliver comprehensive wireless connectivity across eleven state parks. The amendment updates the RFP schedule of events with revised and new dates for key procurement milestones. The technical response deadline is February 3, 2026, with state completion of technical evaluations by March 3, 2026. Mandatory site visits for qualified respondents are scheduled for March 17, 2026, and the cost proposal submission deadline is March 31, 2026. The state will open and score cost proposals on April 1, 2026, followed by optional negotiations from April 6-8, 2026. Notice of Intent to Award will be released on April 9, 2026, with the protest period ending April 16, 2026. The contractor signature deadline is April 24, 2026, with a performance bond deadline of April 30, 2026. The contract will have an initial 60-month term with two optional 30-month renewal periods, not exceeding 120 months total.

The WaaS provider will be responsible for site surveys, network design, equipment installation, network management dashboards, 24/7 technical support, guest internet access, network monitoring and management, network upgrades and maintenance, user and device management, security services, analytics and reporting, and training. The scope includes all fiber and power installation, trenching, pole placement, permitting, and utility coordination. Equipment must include Wi-Fi 7 technology with downward compatibility. Evaluation criteria include general qualifications (10 points), technical qualifications and approach (60 points), and cost proposal (30 points), with only the top three technically-scored respondents advancing to the cost proposal stage. The state welcomes responses from minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Respondents must hold valid Tennessee Electrician and Contractor licenses, maintain specified insurance coverage including $10 million in cyber liability insurance, provide a $5 million performance bond, and demonstrate robust business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities with 120-hour Recovery Point Objectives and 48-hour Recovery Time Objectives.