9-Request for Proposal Introduction.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL INTRODUCTION

PURPOSE

Fulton County Schools (FCS) is seeking a Contractor(s) to provide E-rate eligible wired and wireless access layer network solutions as part of new school construction, renovations, expansions, migrations, and refresh cycles. FCS is looking for the best value in a vendor partnership that will provide high performing scalable solutions that are compatible with existing school district standards.

BACKGROUND

Fulton County Schools is comprised of 90,000 students, 14,000 employees, and 110 buildings.

There are approximately 100,000 network connected devices. This includes wired and wireless computers, tablets, printers, phones, TVs, projectors, interactive flat panels, and video cameras.

The primary network applications include Internet, streaming media, multicast enabled video, student assessments, SAP, SIS, Office 365, Teams, video security, Azure cloud environment, and Mitel telephones.

CURRENT STANDARDS

FCS’ current network wired standard consists of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPe) Aruba branded switching hardware, managed by Netedit for firmware and configuration management. Wireless standard consists of HPe Aruba branded wireless infrastructure in a hybrid managed mode, by on-premise Aruba wireless controllers, the Aruba Central Cloud Management platform, and ClearPass for authentication.

The following wired and wireless tools are currently being used for Network Infrastructure monitoring:

• Solarwinds

• Aruba Central

• Aruba Clear Pass

• Aruba Mobility Conductor

• Aruba Airwave

• Kentik

• Elastic

• Termius

• Arista Cloudvision

• Struxureware

• Marcell Pro

• Panorama

• Unimus

SCOPE OF SERVICE

Provide e-rate eligible hardware, configuration, installation, integration, support, and warranty for all products proposed. FCS is specifically requesting the following:

• Network switching and routing equipment for school and admin site MDFs and IDFs

• High capacity and scalable wireless network coverage

• Comprehensive network design, engineering, configuration, and installation services

• Rack, stack, mounting, configuration, cabling, and cable management during installations

• Seamless cutover to new hardware during a school refresh

• Final installation documentation for every completed installation

• Integration with existing network hardware to ensure compatibility to include compatible backplane stacking with existing switch gear and manageability with current standard hardware and software tools.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

FCS requires that all Offerors interested in submitting a proposal meet the following minimum qualifications. Failure to meet any of the following requirements will disqualify the Offeror:

• All network switching hardware proposed must integrate into existing FCS owned switch stack common control planes. A list of existing switch hardware can be found in the existing equipment file under the public files tab.

• All wireless hardware proposed must integrate into existing wireless management applications used by FCS as defined above in the “CURRENT STANDARDS” portion of the RFP.

• Must have local Atlanta metro area manufacturer certified sales and support staff for all products proposed.

• Hardware proposed must not be currently identified by the manufacturer as end of sale or end of life.

• Offeror must provide pricing for all components contained in the bid schedule.

• If the most cost-effective offeror proposes an equivalent compatible product to the current FCS District standards, the offeror must conduct an on-site demonstration of the proposed hardware within five (5) days of a request to verify proposed equipment will integrate into existing switch stack common control planes, can be managed by all existing software tools use by FCS, and meets all other District requirements. FCS reserves the right to make sole judgment as to acceptability of proposed equivalent products.

OFFEROR’S E-RATE ELIGIBILITY

Products and services proposed must meet all E-rate eligibility requirements as determined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Proof your organization meets all e-rate eligibility requirements must be submitted with response.

The Service Provider agrees to bill and receive a portion of the payment for the provisions of goods and services described herein directly from USAC via the Form 474 Service Provider Invoice (SPI). The District will only be responsible for paying its non‐discounted share of costs and does not intend to use the BEAR process (Form 472). Indicate your understanding and agreement to these terms with response.

See the E-Rate Supplemental Terms and Conditions for additional E-Rate requirements.