340E518F-B0A2-92CD-5CE67BE8C5C74ADC.pdf
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- Attached to
- Mediation Services
- Solicitation number
- 2026-46-06
- Issued by
- Franklin County, Ohio
About this file
This document is a Questions and Answers addendum for RFP #2025-62-21 issued by Franklin County, Ohio (in collaboration with the City of Columbus) for the procurement of site security cameras, LiDAR technology, and a management system for six tower sites. The project requires a complete replacement system including communications links, video management system (VMS)/network video recorder (NVR), and cameras to replace existing aged IP cameras connected via a microwave network. The RFP calls for security camera systems capable of detecting persons, wildlife, and distinguishing nuisances such as wind and tree movement; LiDAR capability at two specific sites (Groves and Griggs); pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) or equivalent camera functionality; and integration with a centralized management platform supporting a minimum of five concurrent users. Equipment mounting is restricted to tower structures (using non-invasive clamps) and City-owned buildings unless additional poles are quoted by the vendor. The deadline for sealed proposal submission is 3:30 p.m. on January 14, 2026, with public opening to follow virtually via Microsoft Teams. Site drawings are available, and site visits can be facilitated upon request. The vendor should propose a preventive maintenance schedule as part of the service offering.
The project is grant-funded with a budget of $200,000, with any overage to be provided by the recipient entity. The current grant performance period extends through December 31, 2026, establishing the project completion deadline. The vendor is responsible for quoting all backbone infrastructure, network connectivity, power and electrical connections (to be performed by certified electricians to industry code), network switches, racks, and any additional communications equipment required for system operation. Systems must support cloud-based or on-premises storage architectures with mandatory local camera storage as failover protection in the event of connectivity loss at individual sites. A 30-day video retention requirement applies. The RFP indicates flexibility regarding LiDAR as a hardline requirement, with the County and City of Columbus willing to evaluate alternative technology proposals that meet specified functional criteria, including video-based AI solutions, hybrid approaches, radar systems, and high-resolution camera alternatives to traditional mechanical PTZ devices.
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Text version
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 1 of 9 12.19.2025
Commissioner Erica C. Crawley Commissioner John O’Grady Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce President
Purchasing Department Megan A. Perry-Balonier, Director
December 19, 2025
RFP# 2025-62-21 Site Security Cameras, LiDAR and Management System
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Please note the following regarding this Request for Proposal:
1. Please note the attached final questions and answers provided regarding this RFP. The deadline to submit questions was December 9, 2025. No further questions will be answered at this time.
Item # RFP Document/ Appendix
Section Question: Answer:
1. RFP Section 2.1.1, Registration with Franklin County
I do not have a login on your website at this time.
Can you please send over more information
Vendors interested in doing business with the County should register with the County online at https://purchasing.franklincountyohio.
gov/Businesses/Vendor-Registration
Vendors must register with the County in order to access competitive opportunities and download documents
2. RFP Section 2.1.1, Registration with Franklin County
I wanted to reach out and see where I can access the bid requirements?
Vendors must register with the County in order to access competitive opportunities and download documents https://bids.franklincountyohio.gov/ac count/register.cfm http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/ businesses/bid-opportunities/
3 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Is LIDAR a hardline requirement? Our company doesn't offer LIDAR at this time, The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
4 RFP Section 2.2.3, Amendments and Clarifications
Are there any addenda that have been released to date?
To date, no addendum information has been added to this RFP.
https://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/Businesses/Vendor-Registration https://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/Businesses/Vendor-Registration https://bids.franklincountyohio.gov/account/register.cfm https://bids.franklincountyohio.gov/account/register.cfm http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/ http://purchasing.franklincountyohio.gov/businesses/bid-opportunities/
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 2 of 9 12.19.2025
5 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Can I get a copy of the plan holder list?
There is no plan holder list available under this RFP
6 RFP Section 3.0, What is the estimated cost?
Grant project budget is $200,000 with any overage provided by the recipient entity.
7 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Are mobile surveillance trailers acceptable for your
RFP?
Mobile surveillance trailers are not acceptable
8 RFP Section 3.0, Are you open to a solution that does not include LiDAR surveillance technology but meets your requirements at a lower price? What is the specific use case for LiDAR?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
9 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
To understand your required security posture, can you clarify which specific LiDAR functions are mission-critical versus “preferred” enhancements?
(The RFP states LiDAR enhances certain sites but does not specify whether video-only analytic alternatives can meet minimum requirements).
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
10 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
If a video-based AI platform can meet or exceed the functional needs of object detection, tracking, exclusion zones, and human vs wildlife differentiation, is LiDAR still required?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
11 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
For the two sites requiring LiDAR, can the County define whether the requirement is for 3D point-cloud tracking specifically, or for accurate perimeter detection in poor visibility?
Preference for both, however the County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
12 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Would the County consider a “hybrid” approach where Rhombus video analytics provide 360° detection and alerts, with LiDAR used only at choke points or blind spots?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
13 RFP Section 3.0, Does the County require the LiDAR solution to directly integrate with the VMS at
If possible, LiDAR data pattern should be viewable by the user, but
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 3 of 9 12.19.2025 the data layer, or is an alert- /event-based integration acceptable (e.g., webhooks, metadata triggers)?
LiDAR should be activated by alarm/alert as well.
14 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
If a vendor provides automated camera tracking using AI, does this fulfill the requirement that “nearest camera follows the target and displays in real time”?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
15 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Can you walk us through how you intend to use PTZ cameras at the sites and what specific outcomes you’re hoping to achieve with them? We want to make sure we fully understand whether the need is for active tracking, wide-area coverage, or zoom capabilities. The reason for this question is that many agencies ultimately move away from mechanical PTZ units once they see the operational and cost advantages of our Rhombus R600 multi sensor camera.
Unlike a traditional PTZ, the R600 provides continuous multi-directional coverage with no moving parts, meaning:
No mechanical failures or motors to replace No possibility of the camera “looking the wrong way” when an event happens, Lower long-term cost of ownership, Simultaneous multi-view, coverage instead of one view at a time Additionally, our Rhombus R360 acts as a digital PTZ, allowing users to zoom, pan, and de-warp the scene in software without any moving components. For general area monitoring, it’s often a more reliable and cost-
The County is unable to walk through specifics and evaluate or comment upon the specific pro or con of named technology outside of the initial RFP proposals. After review of submitted proposals, the County may hold additional interviews with vendors to ask questions, clarify responses and gain a deeper understanding of a proposal.
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 4 of 9 12.19.2025 effective solution than physical PTZ devices.
Would you be open to evaluating the R600 multi sensor and R360 fisheye as alternatives to mechanical PTZ cameras, especially if they provide better coverage and operational efficiency at a lower lifecycle cost?
16 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
The RFP calls for distinguishing between persons, wildlife, and nuisances (wind, tree movement, rain). How will the County measure or test this capability?
The questionnaire is to be completed by the vendor who is indicting if their proposal and products meet the listed item.
17 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
How large are the protected areas at each tower site, and what is the expected detection range for humans approaching the fence line?
(Determines whether LiDAR or high-resolution bullet cameras are optimal.)
The square footage of each site is included on the site drawings.
Detected range should cover parking areas outside of the fence line as well as a 20-foot detection range approaching the perimeter.
18 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Will the County provide the desired “inclusion/exclusion zone” maps for alerting, or is the vendor expected to design those zones?
The vendor will design based on site visits and site drawings in collaboration with the user team.
19 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Are there minimum false-alarm thresholds the County wants defined in advance?
System should meet current industry standards for critical infrastructure.
City would work with vendor to establish any other criteria.
20 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Where exactly can cameras and/or LiDAR be mounted at each of the six tower sites? The RFP notes these restrictions: “Only the tower and City-owned hut are available for mounting equipment” unless poles are quoted.
The cameras can be attached to the tower structure as needed utilizing clamps, etc. (No drilling into the tower is authorized), to the side of the building as needed, or on top of the building utilizing lightweight mounting options. If poles are quoted, then power and data connectivity should be included in quote.
21 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Is the County open to adding mounting poles if coverage gaps exist for either LiDAR or cameras?
If vendor is wanting to mount on poles they should be quoted along with any electrical or data cabling ran to them.
22 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
What is the expected environmental durability requirement (IP rating, heater requirements, wind
The environmental requirements are industry standards acceptable for weather and conditions in Central Ohio for critical infrastructure.
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 5 of 9 12.19.2025 load) (Rhombus R600 and R360 meet ruggedization requirements.)
23 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
The RFP requires cellular/broadband connectivity at each site.
Can vendors propose fully cloud-managed systems using onboard storage (like Rhombus), or is local NVR storage required?
Vendors can propose cloud-based systems, but local camera storage is required in the event of communications loss at any one site.
24 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Is the County expecting camera systems to operate fully even if cellular connectivity is temporarily degraded?
Yes
25 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
For the required 30-day retention, does the County prefer onboard microSD redundancy (camera-level failover) or centralized NVR storage?
(Rhombus R600 + R360 both support onboard storage and cloud retention visibility.)
Centralized, on premises or cloud storage may be proposed, but local storage at cameras is also required in the event there is a communications failure from any one site.
26 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Should vendors quote scalable storage individually per site or propose a central storage architecture?
(Cloud VMS simplifies this significantly.)
Central storage may be proposed, but local storage is required at cameras in the event of the loss of connectivity.
27 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Is the County open to a cloud-first VMS architecture as long as local storage requirements are met?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
28 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
How many concurrent viewers/administrators does the County anticipate?
A minimum of 5 users is recommended.
29 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Does the County require integration with existing legacy cameras, or are the new systems expected to replace all units?
Legacy camera inclusion is not a requirement. New system is expected to provide the coverage stated in the
RFP.
30 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
If a camera-only AI solution provides accurate detection in rain, fog, snow, and nighttime—does this fulfill the County’s intent of reducing false alarms and improving perimeter visibility?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 6 of 9 12.19.2025
31 RFP Section 3.0, Is the County open to a demo showing how high-resolution cameras create virtual tripwires, zones, and object-classification comparable to LiDAR-assisted detection?
After review of submitted proposals, the County may hold additional interviews or demo with vendors to ask questions, clarify responses and gain a deeper understanding of a proposal.
32 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Would the County like to evaluate whether 12MP 360° fisheye coverage can serve as a replacement for LiDAR at locations where mounting or costs are prohibitive?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
33 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Is automated multi-camera stitching or AI-based object tracking acceptable in place of LiDAR-based “3D trajectory tracking”?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
34 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Would a 3D radar site security system with AI capabilities be an acceptable alternative submission to the proposed LiDAR solution, provided it meets all of the system requirements specified in Appendix 4.5 Section 3?
The County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
35 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Does the City currently have an existing video management system or recorder that the new solution needs to integrate with or replace? The RFP notes ‘aged IP cameras’ at each site and a microwave network linking them, but no specifics on the existing VMS/NVR platform. If known, could the County provide the make/model of the current cameras and system? This will help in planning whether the existing cameras can be integrated as per the RFP’s preference.
No, the RFP is for a complete replacement to include the communications links, VMS/NVR and cameras. The current type of cameras varies from PTZ to fisheye cameras. As long as the quote provides for complete coverage of each site, the legacy cameras can be disregarded.
36 RFP Section 3.0, For the two sites requiring LiDAR (Groves and Griggs), the RFP says only the tower and City-owned hut are available unless we include additional poles.
Yes, site visits can be facilitated.
There are site drawings available.
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 7 of 9 12.19.2025
Would the County provide any site drawings or allow a site visit before bid to assess mounting locations?
On page 15 of the RFP, it indicates that site locations have been released as a PDF on the website, but I cannot see them there.
37 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
The RFP mentions that a preventive maintenance program is required as part of the ongoing service. Are there specific expectations or minimum requirements for maintenance (e.g., inspections quarterly, or certain response times for repairs)? Or should the vendor propose a maintenance schedule as part of our plan?
Vendor should propose a suitable schedule recommended for reliable service and operation of the proposed equipment.
38 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
One of the evaluation criteria is ‘Availability on Installation’. Could the County elaborate on how this will be assessed? For instance, is it based on how quickly the vendor can start and complete the project (our timeline), or the vendor’s staffing and resource availability, or perhaps the proposed installation schedule in relation to the County’s desired timeframe?
The evaluation criteria are based upon the ability to proceed upon contract award and completion upon a set schedule without unacceptable backorders and delays.
39 RFP Section 3.0, We understand that the project is grant-funded. Are there any hard deadlines associated with the grant (for spending or project completion)? This will help us ensure our implementation schedule meets any grant requirements.
The current grant performance period is 12/31/2026.
40 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Who is responsible for any Fiber Back Bone, Network Racking, Network Switches (POE or Non-POE), or any other additional communications back-end infrastructure? We see
Vendor is responsible to quote all backbone and infrastructure. Cradle point was utilized only as an example.
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 8 of 9 12.19.2025
Cradle Point listed and so beyond this communications platform.
41 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Electric at the Poles – Who is responsible for providing certified electricians to provide step-down power for our new equipment? Is this Electrical work to be provided by the County and is preferred by us as integrators? If Electrical Power and Work is to be provided by Security Integrator, is there a preferred/approved County Contractor that we are to use?
Vendor would be responsible for providing any power or electrical connections and should be quoted as such. Vendor would be responsible for ensuring electrical work is done by to industry code by certified electricians.
42 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Does each site have an existing network rack to install equipment into?
No, rack should be quoted as this equipment would be standalone from site equipment.
43 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Is there a standard 110 power outlet that we will have access to inside of the buildings?
Yes
44 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
Is there any limitations in mounting equipment to the cell tower? Are we able to directly screw cameras into the steel frame?
No, direct screwing or bolting into the tower structure is permitted for structural integrity purposes.
45 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
If we are not able to install cameras on the sides of the non-city owned building, are we able to non-permanently install cameras on a pole on the roof of said buildings?
All mounting will be done on city owned buildings and property, unless otherwise authorized.
46 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work
How long would you like the camera system to function during a power outage?
Sites are generator backed up with UPS. Some type of battery backup is preferred, but the County will work with the City of Columbus to appropriately evaluate all technology proposals that meet the specified criteria or project overview.
47 RFP Section 3.0, Scope of Work question we have is if there will be a network switch with available ports at each address or should be provide those as part of our scope of work.
All backbone infrastructure and network connectivity should be quoted by the vendor.
Sealed proposals are due by 3:30 p.m. on January 14, 2026, to the Franklin County Purchasing Department, at which time they will be publicly opened, and the names of Proposers read aloud. All sealed proposals received after
RFP# 2025-62-21 Page 9 of 9 12.19.2025 this time and date, for any reason, will be rejected. The timestamp in the Franklin County Purchasing Department will serve as the official record of the time and date that sealed proposals are received and will be the sole factor in determining if a proposal was received in time to be considered. The opening of the sealed proposals will take place virtually via TEAMS; please visit the Franklin County Purchasing Office website listing for this RFP for further information.
Thank you for consideration of your response to this RFP.
Thank you for the consideration of your response to this RFP. Bidders are asked to submit this page (only) with their bid as confirmation of receipt of the Questions and Answers.
By signing below, I hereby state that I have received Questions and Answers:
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