E-RATE_CATEGORY_1.pdf

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McKinney Independent School District, TX

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

2026-10-653

E-RATE CATEGORY 1

RELEASE DATE: October 23, 2026

RESPONSE DEADLINE: December 11, 2026, 2:00 pm

Please refer to the project timeline in this document for all important deadlines.

Request For Proposal #2026-10-653 Title: E-RATE CATEGORY 1

Table Of Contents

1. PROPOSAL INFORMATION

2. PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

3. SCOPE & SPECIFICATIONS

4. STANDARD TERMS & CONDITIONS

5. EVALUATION

6. PROPOSER SUBMISSIONS

1. PROPOSAL INFORMATION

1.1. INTRODUCTION

Number: 2026-10-653

Title: E-RATE CATEGORY 1

Type: RFP

FCC Form 470 #: 270001644

Notes: McKinney ISD is accepting proposals from proposers that can provide pricing for E-RATE CATEGORY 1 according to the specifications provided.

1.2. PROPOSAL ACTIVITES

Release RFP Date: October 23, 2026

Question Submission Deadline: November 6, 2026, 10:00am

Question Response Deadline: November 10, 2026, 5:00pm

Proposal Submission Deadline: December 11, 2026, 2:00pm

Anticipated Board Meeting Date: January 19, 2027

Anticipated Award Date: January 20, 2027

1.3. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION

We strongly encourage that proposers submit this proposal electronically. Electronic submission will eliminate errors, unnecessary work, and reduce paper. When completing this proposal electronically it will not be necessary to submit a paper response.

1.4. OFFLINE SUBMISSIONS (Paper)

If a proposer is unable to submit a proposal electronically, the proposer may submit a paper proposal with a digital copy of the complete proposal on a flash drive. The paper proposal and flash drive must be enclosed in a sealed envelope or carton clearly marked on the outside with the proposer's name, address, solicitation name, and solicitation number. The digital copy must be included on the flash drive within the sealed submission package.

No marketing materials, promotional literature, brochures, or other unsolicited materials shall be included with the proposal unless specified within the solicitation.

Responses shall be mailed or delivered to:

Director of Purchasing

McKinney Independent School District Administration Building

#1 Duvall Street

McKinney, TX 75069

If forwarded by mail (next day, Federal Express, etc.), the sealed envelope containing the proposal must be enclosed in another envelope addressed as specified. McKinney ISD is not responsible for lateness of mail, carrier, etc. The date/time stamp clock in the McKinney ISD Purchasing Department office shall be the official time of receipt. Proposals submitted after the designated date/time will not be accepted. Faxed or e-mailed proposals will not be accepted.

1.5. INCLEMENT WEATHER

In case of inclement weather or any other unforeseen event causing McKinney ISD to close for business on the date of a proposal submission deadline, the proposal closing will automatically be postponed until the next business day McKinney ISD is open, unless Contractor is otherwise notified. The proposal opening time of day shall remain the same.

1.6. ADDENDA

Any interpretations, corrections, supplemental instructions or changes to the proposal documents will be issued by an Addenda. Oral and other interpretations or clarifications will be without legal effect.

1.7. AWARD

McKinney ISD reserves the right to accept or reject any and/or all proposals for any or all products and/or services covered in this proposal request and to waive informalities or defects in proposals or to accept such proposals as it shall deem to be in the best interest of McKinney Independent School District.

It is the intent of the District to award the contract to a single proposer; however, it reserves the right to make awards to multiple proposer offering comparable products or services. The decision to make either a single or multiple awards will be based on the District’s determination of which option provides the best value.

1.8. CONTRACT TERM

The successful proposer will enter into a firm/fixed price contract for E-RATE CATEGORY 1. This proposal, upon acceptance and approval by the McKinney ISD Board of Trustees, shall constitute a binding contract between the successful proposer(s) and McKinney ISD. The initial contract period will commence upon Board of Trustee approval, with the terms of any subsequent agreement taking effect immediately thereafter. Please see the contract terms specified within each scope of service listed in this RFP.

McKinney ISD has the option to extend this RFP at the end of the performance period for up to 120 days if determined to be in the best interest of the district to ensure availability of products and/or services. McKinney

ISD has the option to issue subsequent RFPs as needed.

1.9. BILLING INFORMATION

Address: Accounts Payable #1 Duvall

McKinney, TX 75069

Phone: (469) 302-4000

Email: accountspayable@mckinneyisd.net

2. PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

2.1. PROPOSER RESPONSE

Make sure to upload all "required" documents and forms to the PROPOSER SUBMISSIONS section and respond to all required questions.

2.2. QUESTIONS

Proposer shall submit all inquiries via the eProcurement Portal:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/mckinneyisd.

Please note the deadline for submitting inquiries. All answers to inquiries will be posted on the eProcurement

Portal. Proposers may also click “Follow” on this RFP to receive an email notification when answers are posted.

It is the responsibility of the proposer to check the website for answers to inquiries.

2.3. REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS

Respondents shall submit all documents, certifications, forms, and information identified in the PROPOSER

SUBMISSIONS section in the Request for Proposal. Failure to submit all required information may result in the proposal being deemed non-responsive and may render the proposal ineligible for further evaluation.

Submittals:

• Pricing

• Technical Proposal

• Proposer Questionnaire

• References

• Forms

• Lead Times/Delivery Times/Time Frame

• Federal Certifications

• State and Local Certifications

• Purchasing and Accounting

• Proposer Agreement and Declaration of Compliance https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/mckinneyisd/projects/311554/document?section=2967724

3. SCOPE & SPECIFICATIONS

3.1. PURPOSE

McKinney Independent School District (McKinney ISD, MISD, or the District) is soliciting proposals from qualified proposers to provide E-Rate eligible Category 1 services including self-provisioned and leased network, wide area network transport, and internet access to support the District’s technology infrastructure and connectivity needs. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks proposers who can provide reliable, scalable, and cost-effective network connectivity that meets the technical specifications, performance requirements, and E-Rate program guidelines described in this document.

The selected proposer must meet all requirements of this RFP, including all applicable laws. If you fail to meet these requirements, your proposal may be rejected, or your contract may be terminated.

3.2. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

All provisions of this Request for Proposal (RFP), including the Scope of Services, Technical Specifications, Contract Terms, General and Special Conditions, and required appendices, apply to all specified services and deliverables.

Proposers are responsible for reviewing the entire RFP package and verifying that all requirements, specifications, and instructions are fully understood prior to submitting a proposal. Any discrepancies, ambiguities, conflicts, or omissions identified within the RFP documents shall be submitted in writing to the

District’s designated representative for clarification.

Submit requests for clarification of discrepancies or conflicts by Friday, November 6, 2026, 10:00 am. This allows the District time to issue an addendum if needed. All responses will be provided by written addendum and shared with all prospective proposers.

If discrepancies or conflicts are found after the proposal due date, report them to the District's representative immediately. Do not begin work or provide services until the District has formally resolved the issue.

If a discrepancy or conflict between RFP sections is identified before the proposal due date but after the clarification request deadline, proposers must prepare proposals using the highest applicable performance standard, capacity, and service level for the affected component, unless otherwise directed by the District.

3.3. SCOPE OF WORK

McKinney ISD is soliciting proposals from qualified proposers to provide E-Rate eligible Category 1 services including self-provisioned and leased network, wide area network transport, and internet access that ensure reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity for all District facilities. Services must meet all technical specifications, service requirements, and E-Rate program rules outlined in this Request for Proposal (RFP).

Service Levels and Support

The proposer shall provide:

• 24/7 network monitoring and technical support

• A dedicated call center and designated contact methods for outage reporting

• Proactive notification of outages, maintenance, and service disruptions

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs) addressing uptime, latency, and response times

Implementation and Delivery

All proposed services must be fully installed, tested, and operational by July 1, 2027, the start of E-Rate Funding

Year 2027. The District will not incur special construction costs before E-Rate funding approval. Any special construction or one-time charges must be clearly identified and separated from recurring E-Rate eligible services.

Compliance and Funding Requirements

All services shall comply with applicable FCC and USAC E-Rate Category 1 requirements. The proposer shall:

• Maintain a valid SPIN / 498 ID.

• File required FCC Forms (473 and 474)

• Clearly distinguish E-Rate eligible and ineligible costs.

• Acknowledge that contract award and implementation are contingent upon receipt of E-Rate funding.

Flexibility for District Changes

The District reserves the right to add or remove locations, adjust bandwidth, or modify service requirements during the contract term, in line with the pricing and conditions in this RFP.

Service Requirements: There are 3 separate requests for Category 1 services. Each request will be evaluated separately as follows:

A. Self-Provisioned and Leased Network

B. Wide Area Network Only Transport

C. Internet Access

A. SERVICE REQUEST 1: SELF-PROVISIONED AND LEASED NETWORK

1. General Scope

a. McKinney Independent School District, hereafter referred to as Applicant, is seeking multiple options for proposals to extend their infrastructure for data transport point-to-point services and, when required, network electronics necessary to light the circuit and maintenance and operations of the network, between the locations listed in the Section 6.1.1. Pricing

Spreadsheet.

b. Self-Provisioned network and Leased Dark Fiber solutions must include costs for the network equipment and network maintenance as separately identifiable costs, if proposed. For all other services provided over third-party networks, a turn-key solution with all expected costs are required. New services are planned to begin on July 1, 2027, which represents the start of the

E-Rate funding year.

2. Scope of Services

a. Wide Area Network

i. Applicant requires a minimum of 10 Gbps Wide Area Network (WAN) Transport connections between the Applicant’s Internet hub site and the locations listed in the Section 6.1.1.

Pricing Spreadsheet. Proposers are requested to submit proposals for incremental bandwidths 10 Gbps, 20 Gbps, and 40 Gbps. To be considered, proposer must include all listed locations.

ii. All proposed solutions must be within the specified bandwidth range to be eligible for consideration. In addition to the specified minimum and maximum bandwidths, Proposers are encouraged to propose various bandwidth options within this range. Refer to the Section 6.1.1. Pricing Spreadsheet for the requested service levels. If the bandwidths listed are not available, Proposers should include their closest comparable service level for consideration.

iii. Submissions meeting any of the three (3) criteria will be disqualified.

I. Solution does NOT propose at least the minimum bandwidth.

II. Solution does NOT propose bandwidth dedicated to the applicant but instead, the bandwidth is dependent on the number of other customers on the network or some other factor that does not, generally, guarantee the minimum bandwidth as a committed information rate (CIR).

III. Solution includes caps on data usage or slows speeds based on data usage or other factors.

iv. All solutions must terminate service or infrastructure at the demarcation point within the building, generally, the MDF. Solutions that only bring service to the property line but not to the demarcation point will be disqualified. The agreement must terminate service at an

MDF designated by the Applicant. The Proposer should specify the exact demarcation setup https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* included in the base fees, such as wall-mounted CPE and CAT6a handoff, rack mount patch panel, etc.

v. Proposers must accept responsibility for site delivery, construction, permitting, pathway, and right-of-way costs required to deliver service.

b. Proposal Options

i. Applicant is seeking multiple options for consideration. Respondents may propose one, all, or any number of options. All respondents must be capable of providing telecommunication services under the Universal Service Support Mechanism, be a registered service provider with USAC, and have a USAC issued 498 ID (formerly Service

Provider Identification Number-SPIN).

I. Option 1 - Services Provided Over Third-Party Networks (SPOTPN):

SPOTPN is defined as broadband service delivered over a service provider or other third party-owned network. This service option is designed to represent all technology neutral third-party transport mediums including Leased Lit Fiber, Leased Dark Fiber, and all other non-fiber options.

II. Option 2 - Self-Provisioned Network Construction:

This service option is for the build-out of an applicant-owned wide area network to the designated locations and includes all eligible special construction charges. Maintenance and Operations costs and network electronics costs should be priced separately from special construction charges for Self-Provisioned network.

III. Option 3 - C1 Network Maintenance for Leased Dark Fiber or Self-Provisioned

Network:

This service option is for maintenance and operations for Leased Dark Fiber or Self-

Provisioned network solutions. Respondents may propose ongoing or on-demand maintenance either themselves or through 3rd party subcontractors. If respondent intends to use 3rd party subcontractors to deliver a part or all of the service, this should be clearly indicated in the response.

IV. Option 4 - C1 Network Electronics for Leased Dark Fiber or Self-Provisioned Network:

This service option is for the network equipment required to light Leased Dark Fiber or

Self-Provisioned networks. The proposed network equipment must support the following speeds: 10 Gbps, 20 Gbps, and 40 Gbps.

c. Solution Specifications

i. Option 1 - Services Delivered Over Third-Party Networks:

Applicant must have dedicated, symmetrical transport bandwidth of 10 Gbps with Service

Level Agreement (SLA) guarantees between the designated endpoints. The proposed solution may be Leased Lit Fiber, Leased Dark Fiber, or any other non-fiber solution provided over third-party networks. The solution must be scalable to 40 Gbps. Price quotes are requested for 120-month terms of service with ten (10) optional annual renewals. If special construction is necessary, respondents are required to separate out pricing for construction from the monthly recurring costs. No increased pricing will be allowed during the term of the quoted special construction, NRC, and MRC rate. If an increase in bandwidth is requested during the contract period, such increase shall be treated as a modification to the existing agreement and shall not extend the original contract term. As bandwidth needs are steadily rising, respondents are free to propose higher tiers of bandwidth than what is requested to demonstrate their future scalability. Leased Dark Fiber solutions must have dedicated transport bandwidth via lease of six (6) strands of dark fiber, utilizing 4 strands (2 pairs) between the designated endpoints.

ii. Option 2 - Self-Provisioned Network Construction:

Applicant requests that respondents propose design and pricing for a Self-Provisioned network solution between the specified hub and each eligible entity location. We are requesting that (6) strands (three [3] pair) be installed with the intention of lighting four (4) strands (two [2] pair) in the first year, or 10 Gbps equivalent for non-fiber Self-Provisioned solutions. In accordance with USAC rules, the cost of any fiber strands not lit during the funding year must be allocated out as ineligible charges. The Applicant desires a fully

“turnkey” project so respondents should provide explanation for the Applicant’s involvement in the process including ownership and sourcing of permits, etc. when submitting a Self-Provisioned proposal. Upon final acceptance and payment, all Applicant-funded infrastructure, documentation, and associated warranties shall become the property of the Applicant unless otherwise agreed in writing. A solution should include all costs related to the deployment of the proposed circuit. Self-Provisioned Network

Construction Specifications and Project Management:

o The Applicant’s specifications for a newly constructed high-speed network infrastructure are contained in OSP Installation Specifications, in this document.

o Selected respondent and its subcontractors will provide all project management to accomplish the installation of all project work as outlined in this document.

o Project management should include all necessary paperwork and permits including but not limited to rights of way, easements, and pole attachments, if necessary.

o The respondent will provide engineer(s), certified on selected system specifications and procedures to manage all phases of project as outlined in this proposal. This includes ordering and managing the bill of materials as outlined in this document, directing and managing cable placement and restoration, directing and managing splicing crews and providing detailed documentation at the end of the project.

o Selected respondent and its subcontractors will develop a project management plan, which will include a milestone chart. The milestone chart will outline any critical path events and then track these with the appropriate agency/organization whether;

selected respondent, subcontractor or the Applicant.

iii. Option 3 - C1 Network Maintenance for Self-Provisioned Network and Leased Dark Fiber

Solutions:

Applicant is seeking proposals related to Maintenance and Operations for Self-Provisioned network or Leased Dark Fiber solutions. Respondents may propose ongoing or on-demand maintenance either themselves or through 3rd party subcontractors. If respondent intends to use 3rd party subcontractors to deliver a part or all of the service, this should be clearly indicated in the response.

I. Leased Dark Fiber Solutions

All dark fiber responses require maintenance as part of the response, even if maintenance is subcontracted out to a third party. In the case of the 3rd party maintenance, the respondent must hold and manage the subcontract and is ultimately responsible for the SLA. It is assumed that the dark fiber network is part of the service provider's more comprehensive fiber infrastructure. The respondent will include only the portion of maintenance that is required to support the Applicant fiber segments versus overall network maintenance. If the fiber serves multiple customers, the maintenance cost should be shared among all the recipients. For leased dark fiber proposals, maintenance costs shall be assumed to be included in the monthly lease fee. Fee structures that separate maintenance costs must explicitly state this and provide itemized costs.

II. Maintenance for Self-Provisioned

Self-Provisioned responses are not required to include a maintenance response.

Respondents who choose to propose maintenance must hold and manage any subcontracted maintenance arrangement and remain ultimately responsible for the SLA.

C1 network maintenance may also be proposed as a stand-alone service by any

Proposer, even if the provider is not proposing Self-Provisioned service. Respondents submitting a Self-Provisioned proposal that includes maintenance must price it separately and may not bundle maintenance costs with the Self-Provisioned proposal.

For both leased dark fiber and self-provisioned maintenance, price quotes are requested for a 120-month term of service with ten (10) optional annual renewals. Responses for maintenance must include scheduled routine maintenance as a monthly or annual cost as well as unscheduled break/fix maintenance as an annual time and material cost estimate. Explanation of how the annual scheduled and unscheduled maintenance was estimated should be included.

III. Maintenance Terms and Conditions

Respondents shall maintain the applicable network seven days per week, twenty-four hours per day. Upon notification from the Applicant of a malfunction relating to the applicable network, respondent shall respond to such malfunction within two (2) hours and thereafter proceed to correct the malfunction with reasonable diligence. When pricing maintenance, the respondent should include an overview of maintenance practices including:

▪ Routine maintenance and inspection

▪ Scheduled maintenance windows and scheduling practices for planned outages

▪ Handling of unscheduled outages and customer problem reports

▪ What service level agreement is included and what alternative service levels may be available at additional cost

▪ What agreements are in place with applicable utilities and utility contractors for emergency restoration

▪ Repair of fiber breaks

▪ Mean time to repair

▪ Replacement of damaged fiber

▪ Post repair testing

▪ Replacement of fiber that no longer meets specifications

▪ Policies for customer notification regarding maintenance

▪ Process for changing procedures, including customer notification practices

▪ Process for moves, adds, and changes

▪ Process for responding to locate requests

iv. Option 4 - C1 Network Equipment for Self-Provisioned and Leased Dark Fiber Projects:

The Applicant owns their own equipment to light the fiber: Cisco C93240YC-FX2 and Cisco

C9500-24Y4C

d. Special Construction

i. Refer to USAC’s Fiber Summary Overview for costs eligible as special construction and other considerations related to the construction of new network facilities: https://www.usac.org/E-Rate/applicant-process/before-you-begin/fiber-summary-overview/

B. SERVICE REQUEST 2: WIDE AREA NETWORK TRANSPORT ONLY

1. General Scope

a. Applicant requires a minimum of 1 Gbps download x 1 Gbps upload fully managed Wide Area

Network (WAN) Data Transport connections between the Applicant’s Internet hub site and the locations listed in the Section 6.1.1. Pricing Spreadsheet. Service providers are requested to submit proposals for bandwidths of 1 Gbps, 5Gbps, and 10 Gbps. To be considered, proposers must include all listed locations.

b. All proposed solutions must be within the specified bandwidth range to be eligible for consideration. In addition to the specified minimum and maximum bandwidths, Service

Providers are encouraged to propose a variety of bandwidth options within this range. Refer to the Section 6.1.1. Pricing Spreadsheet for the requested service levels. If the exact bandwidths listed are not available, proposers should include their closest comparable service level for consideration.

c. Proposer should provide router lease options and pricing.

d. Submissions meeting any of the three criteria WILL be disqualified.

i. Solution does NOT propose at least the minimum bandwidth.

ii. Solution does NOT propose bandwidth dedicated to the applicant but instead, the bandwidth is dependent on the number of other customers on the network or some other factor that does not, generally, guarantee the minimum bandwidth as a committed information rate (CIR).

iii. Solution includes caps on data usage or slows speeds based on data usage or other factors.

e. All solutions must terminate service or infrastructure at the demarcation point within the building, generally, the MDF. Solutions that only bring service to the property line but not to the demarcation point will be disqualified. The agreement must terminate service at an MDF designated by the Applicant. The Proposer should specify the exact demarcation setup included in the base fees, such as wall-mounted CPE and CAT6a handoff, rack mount patch panel, etc.

f. Proposer must accept responsibility for site delivery, construction, permitting, pathway, and right-of-way costs required to deliver service.

2. Contract Term and Modifications https://www.usac.org/E-Rate/applicant-process/before-you-begin/fiber-summary-overview/ https://www.usac.org/E-Rate/applicant-process/before-you-begin/fiber-summary-overview/ https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets*

a. Services are needed effective July 1, 2027. If the service cannot be guaranteed by this date, this should be indicated in the proposal, along with an estimated timeline for when the service will be available.

b. Proposals of month-to-month or contracted services will be considered. Service providers submitting proposals for contracted service are requested to provide 12-month, 36-month, and

60-month pricing. Unless otherwise stated, the customer can voluntarily extend the agreement for two (2) additional twelve (12) month terms. Proposals requiring an initial term of more than

60 months will not be considered.

c. All contracts should permit bandwidth increases during the term. Any such increases, including those during optional renewal periods, will be treated as modifications to the existing agreement rather than new agreements and, therefore, will NOT extend the contract's term.

d. All contracts should include a provision allowing for early termination of circuits without penalty if a location is closed by the Applicant.

e. All contracts should include a clause allowing additional sites to be added at the existing MRC for the duration of the agreement, with the Applicant covering any one-time charges related to adding the new site to the network. Any additional sites added will have the same end date as the main agreement.

f. No price increases will be permitted during the term of the agreement.

g. Service providers proposing equipment whose prices may increase depending upon new U.S.

government tariffs imposed on imports are encouraged to (a) identify such products in their proposals, and (b) propose an acceptable methodology for limiting price adjustments over the life of the contract.

h. Subject to contract restrictions, services may be reevaluated for cost-effectiveness at any time during the life of the agreement including renewal periods.

C. SERVICE REQUEST 3: INTERNET ACCESS

1. General Scope

a. Applicant requires a minimum of 1 Gbps download x 1 Gbps upload fully managed Dedicated

Internet Access with Transport service to the locations specified in the Section 6.1.1. Pricing

Spreadsheet. Service providers are requested to submit proposals for incremental bandwidths from 1 Gbps up to 10 Gbps.

b. Proposer must provide static IP addresses. The district requires 1 block of static IP addresses.

c. Proposer must provide router lease options and pricing. Please separate the cost of the service from the leased router. Proposer must provide the make and model of the router being used.

https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets*

d. As optional services, Proposer are also requested to provide costs for advanced firewall services and/or DDoS, if available.

e. To be considered, services must be within the specified bandwidth range. In addition to the specified minimum and maximum bandwidths, Service Providers are encouraged to propose a variety of bandwidth options within this range. Refer to the provided Section 6.1.1. Pricing

Spreadsheet for the requested service levels. If the exact bandwidths listed are not available, proposers should include their closest comparable service level for consideration.

f. Submissions meeting any of the three (3) numbered criteria WILL be disqualified.

i. Solution does NOT propose at least the minimum bandwidth.

ii. Solution does NOT propose bandwidth dedicated to the applicant but instead, the bandwidth is dependent on the number of other customers on the network or some other factor that does not, generally, guarantee the minimum bandwidth as a committed information rate (CIR).

iii. Solution includes caps on data usage or slows speeds based on data usage or other factors.

g. All solutions must terminate service or infrastructure at the demarcation point within the building, generally, the MDF. Solutions that only bring service to the property line but not to the demarcation point will be disqualified. The agreement must terminate service at an MDF designated by the Applicant. The Proposer should specify the exact demarcation setup included in the base fees, such as wall-mounted CPE and CAT6a handoff, rack mount patch panel, etc.

h. Proposer must accept responsibility for site delivery, construction, permitting, pathway, and right-of-way costs required to deliver service.

2. Contract Terms and Modifications

a. Services are needed effective July 1, 2027. If the service cannot be guaranteed by this date, this should be indicated in the proposal, along with an estimated timeline for when the service will be available.

b. Proposals of month-to-month or contracted services will be considered. Service providers submitting proposals for contracted service are requested to provide 12-month, 36-month, and

60-month pricing. Unless otherwise stated, the customer can voluntarily extend the agreement for two (2) additional twelve (12) month terms. Proposals requiring an initial term of more than

60 months will not be considered.

c. All contracts should permit bandwidth increases during the term. Any such increases, including those during optional renewal periods, will be treated as modifications to the existing agreement rather than new agreements and, therefore, will NOT extend the contract's term.

https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets* https://procurement.opengov.com/governments/214/projects/311554/builder/document?section=2967724#:~:text=Pricing%20Spreadsheets*

d. All contracts should include a provision allowing for early termination of circuits without penalty if a location is closed by the Applicant.

e. All contracts should include a clause allowing additional sites to be added at the existing MRC for the duration of the agreement, with the Applicant covering any one-time charges related to adding the new site to the network. Any additional sites added will have the same end date as the main agreement.

f. No price increases will be permitted during the term of the agreement.

g. Service providers proposing equipment whose prices may increase depending upon new U.S.

government tariffs imposed on imports are encouraged to (a) identify such products in their proposals, and (b) propose an acceptable methodology for limiting price adjustments over the life of the contract.

h. Subject to contract restrictions, services may be reevaluated for cost-effectiveness at any time during the life of the agreement including renewal periods.

3.4. OUTSIDE PLANT INSTALLATION SPECIFICATIONS

Material Requirements

• Material will comply with those standards as established by UL or NEMA and shall be commercial grade. All materials will be new and free from defects.

• Selected contractor and its subcontractors will provide all material management to ensure that the project remains on track according to the project milestones,

• All due caution will be exercised in transporting and off-loading all materials to prevent any damage during shipping or placement. Any damage to any materials after their initial receipt and inspection by the respondent will be the sole responsibility of the respondent, who will replace such damaged hand holes at no additional expense to the Applicant.

• If a buried proposal, conduit shall comply with applicable code and industry standards for underground telecommunications infrastructure. EMT (Electrical Metallic Tubing) proposals must be multi-duct with at least three innerducts. EMT fitting shall be gland or set screw type, and each conduit shall be equipped with a graduated pull tape or rope.

• If a buried proposal, unless specified by right-of-way owner, crossings will be two conduits, PVC-Sch 40 or better.

• If a buried proposal, the exact requirements for location and type of conduit within the building shall be verified with building owner.

• If a buried proposal, all Hand Holes shall be approved, 45,000 lb. load rated CDR or comparable enclosures on roadways and railways, and pedestrian rated hand holes for non-roadways and railways.

• If a buried proposal, large-radius sweeps shall be provided where required for offset or change in direction of conduit. Bend radius rating of the cable must be adhered to for all conduit bends, pull boxes, and hand holes.

• Fiber can be single-mode or multi-mode with the following specifications:

o If Single Mode:

▪ TU‐T G.652.C/D compliant

▪ Maximum Attenuation @ 1310nm: 0.34 dB/km

▪ Maximum Attenuation @ 1385nm: 0.31 dB/km

▪ Maximum Attenuation @ 1550nm: 0.22 dB/km o If Multimode:

o OM3 (50/125) *Laser Optimized* 1500/-/500 MHz·km o Connector types should be LC unless otherwise specified by the Applicant.

o Any warranties associated with the fiber and any other outside plant materials must revert to the

Applicant as the owner upon completion of construction

SPECIFICATIONS

Survey

• Comply with all ordinances and regulations. Where required, secure permits before placing or excavating on private property, crossing streams, pushing pipe or boring under streets and railways. Pre-survey shall be done prior to each job.

• If a buried proposal, respondent will locate underground lines of third parties in cable route area

Permits and Traffic Control

• The respondent must adhere to all applicable laws, rules and requirements and must apply for permits to place infrastructure per specification per county or city ordinance applicable to where the infrastructure is being placed.

• All traffic control, in accordance with local, state, county, or permitting agency laws, regulations, and requirements, will be the respondent’s responsibility. The respondent’s construction schedule will take into consideration sufficient time for the development and approval of a traffic control plan.

Tracer Wire Installation

• If a buried proposal, tracer wire shall be placed with all conduit installed unless armored or traceable cable is used. The respondent will provide the tracer wire and shall install, splice and test (for continuity) the tracer wire. If the tracer wire is broken during installation, the wire should be repaired and tested for continuity after repair.

• If a buried proposal, for multi-duct installation, install a 5/8” X 8” copper clad ground rod in the hand-hole located on public right–of-way. Place a #12 insulated copper locate wire from the ground rod to the fiber optic termination room or to the outside of the building directly below the pull box and terminate on one side of an insulated indoor/outdoor terminal block to the master ground bar in the fiber optic termination room or place a ground rod on the outside of the building. Locate block in an accessible location. This is for “locate purposes only,” not for grounding purposes. Note on as-built where ground is placed and tag located wire as “locate wire.”

Depth of Burial (If a buried proposal)

• Except where otherwise specified, the cable shall be placed to a minimum depth of 36” along roadways and 24” on private property. Greater cable depth will be required at the follow locations:

o Where cable route crosses roads, the cable shall be placed at a minimum depth of 48” below the pavement or 36” below the parallel drainage ditch, whichever is greater, unless the controlling authority required additional depth, in which case the greatest depth will be maintained.

o Where cable crosses existing sub-surface pipes, cables, or other structures: at foreign object crossings, the cable will be placed to maintain a minimum of 12” clearance from the object or the minimum clearance required by the object’s owner, whichever is greater.

Highway, Railroad, and Other Bored Crossings (If a buried proposal)

• All crossings of state or federal highways and railroads right-of-way shall be made by boring and placing a pipe casing. The cable shall be placed through the pipe casing. Country road and other roadways shall be bored, trenched, or plowed as approved by the appropriate local authority.

• All work performed on public right-of-way or railroad right-of-way shall be done in accordance with requirements and regulations of the authority having jurisdiction there under.

• Respondent shall give all notices and comply with all laws, ordinances, rules and regulations bearing on the conduct of the Work as drawn.

• Where the cable route crosses railroad right-of-way, the cable shall be placed at a minimum depth of

60” below the railroad surface or 36” below the parallel drainage ditch, whichever is greater, unless the controlling authority requires additional depth, in which case the greatest depth will be maintained.

Cable Markers (If a buried proposal)

• Cable markers shall be placed within 48 hours of cable installation. Unless the right-of-way or property owner specifies otherwise, cable markers shall be placed at all change in directions, splices, fence line crossings, at road and stream crossings, and other points on the route not more than 1,000 feet apart.

• In addition, on highway right-of-way, the markers shall be located at the highway right-of-way line. Markers shall always be located so that they can be seen from the location of the cable.

Hand Holes (If a buried proposal)

• Hand holes will be placed in accordance with standard industry practice following the specifications provided in the construction plans, typical drawings, and detail drawings. Special attention and planning must be exercised to ensure accessibility by other groups after construction has been completed.

• All hand holes unless otherwise stipulated by the drawings will be buried with 12” to 18” of cover at final grade.

• Immediately after placement, the soil around and over the hand hole will be tamped and compacted.

Should any washouts occur, the respondent will be responsible for correcting the problem immediately without additional cost to the Applicant.

• After cable placement, all ducts will be sealed.

• All splice hand holes/manholes will be grounded

• A minimum of 100’ coil of cable shall be left in each hand hole/building for splicing use.

Splicing (both buried and aerial)

• Fiber to fiber fusion splicing of optical fibers at each point including head ends is required.

• Complete testing services, such as end to end, reel testing, and splice loss testing, ORL, power meter/laser source testing and WDM testing is required.

• Splice loss shall meet commercially reasonable industry standards for the proposed fiber type and installation method. Splice loss acceptance testing will be based on the fusion splicer’s splice loss estimator.

• All cables to buildings shall be fusion spliced within a minimum of 50’ of entering a building at a location to be determined by the owner with an existing single mode fiber and terminated at customer’s rack.

Aerial Plant

• Applicant is open to aerial fiber runs using existing utility poles, but respondent must adhere to pole owners’ requirements for clearances, spans, grounding, guys, and attachments.

Testing Cable (both buried and aerial)

• The respondent shall be responsible for on-reel verification of cable quality prior to placement.

• Completed test forms on each reel shall be submitted to the Applicant.

• Respondent assumes responsibility for the cable after testing. This responsibility covers all fibers in the cable.

• The respondent shall supply all tools, test equipment, consumables, and incidentals necessary to perform quality testing.

• The cable ends shall be sealed upon completion of testing.

• In addition to splice loss testing, selected respondent will perform end-to-end insertion loss testing of single-mode fibers at 1310 nm and 1550 nm from one direction for each terminated fiber span in accordance with TIA/EIA-526-7 (OFSTP 7). For spans greater than 300 feet, each tested span must test to a value less than or equal to the value determined by calculating a link loss budget.

Restoration (both buried and aerial)

• All work sites will be restored to as near their original undisturbed condition as possible, all cleanup will be to the satisfaction of the Applicant and any permitting agencies.

• Respondent shall provide a brief description of restoration plan in the response, with the expectation that a more detailed restoration plan will be delivered prior to construction begins.

• Work site restoration will include the placement of seed, mulch, sod, water, gravel, soil, sand, and all other materials as warranted.

• Backfill material will consist of clean fill. Backfilling, tamping, and compaction will be performed to the satisfaction of the Applicant, the representative of any interested permitting agency, and/or the railroad representative.

• Respondent will be responsible for any restoration complaints arising within one year after the

Applicant’s final acceptance.

• Excess material will be disposed of properly.

• Debris from clearing operations will be properly disposed of by the respondent/subcontractors as required by permitting agencies or the railroad. Railroad ties, trees, stumps or any foreign debris will be removed, stacked, or disposed of by the respondent as per requirements by other interested permitting agencies, and/or the Applicant.

• Road shoulders, roadbeds, and railroad property will be dressed up at the end of each day. No payment for installation will be permitted until cleanup has been completed to the satisfaction of the any permitting agencies, and/or the Applicant.

• Site clean-up will include the restoration of all concrete, asphalt, or other paving materials to the satisfaction of the other interested permitting agencies, and/or the Applicant.

Documentation (both buried and aerial)

As-built drawings will include:

• Fiber cable routes

• Drawings, site drawings, permit drawings, and computerize design maps and electronically stored consolidated field notes for the entire route must include:

o Verification of as-built and computerized maps o Splicing locations o Optical fiber assignments at patch panels o Optical fiber assignments at splice locations o Installed cable length o Date of installation o Aerial installation documents should include

▪ Pole attachment inventories

▪ Pole attachment applications

▪ Pole attachment agreements between respondent and other utilities

▪ GPS points of reference for utility poles

▪ Photo images of poles to which fiber is attached o Underground installation documents should include

▪ Conduit design and detailing

▪ Manhole detailing

▪ Preparation of all forms and documentation for approval of conduit construction and/or installation, o Fiber details will include:

▪ Manufacturer

▪ Cable type and diameter

▪ Jacket type: single-mode

▪ Fiber core and cladding diameter

▪ Fiber attenuation per kilometer

▪ Fiber bandwidth and dispersion

▪ Index of refraction o OTDR documentation will include:

▪ Each span shall be tested bi-directionally from endpoint to endpoint.

▪ Each span’s traces shall be recorded and mapped. Each splice loss from each direction and the optical length between splices as well as any of the information required by Span Map.

▪ Reel acceptance

▪ Individual fiber traces for complete fiber length

▪ Paper and computer disk records of all traces

▪ Losses of individual splices

▪ Anomalies

▪ Wavelength tests and measurement directions

▪ Manufacturer, model, serial number, and date of last calibration of OTDR o Power Meter documentation will include:

▪ Total link loss of each fiber

▪ Wavelengths tested and measurement directions

▪ Manufacturer, model, serial number, and date of last calibration for all equipment used

REFERENCES, STANDARDS, AND CODES

Specifications in this document are not meant to supersede state law or industry standards. Respondents shall note in their response where their proposal does not follow the requested specification to comply with state law or industry standard. The following standards are based upon the Customer-Owned Outside Plant

Design Manual (CO-OSP) produced by BICSI, the Telecommunications Distribution Methods Manual (TDMM) also produced by BICSI, ANSI/TIA/EIA and ISO/IEC standards, and NEC codes, among others.

It is required that the respondent be thoroughly familiar with the content and intent of these references, standards, and codes and that the respondent be capable of applying the content and intent of these references, standards, and codes to all outside plant communications system designs executed on the behalf of the Applicant.

Listed in the table below are references, standards, and codes applicable to outside plant communications systems design. If questions arise as to which reference, standard, or code should apply in a given situation, the more stringent shall prevail. As each of these documents are modified over time, the latest edition and addenda to each of these documents is considered to be definitive.

3.5. QUALIFICATION OF CONTRACTORS

Proposers responding to this RFP must demonstrate the qualifications, experience, and capacity required to deliver the specified services. The District will evaluate each proposer to ensure the selected provider meets all technical, operational, and compliance requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered, proposers must meet the following minimum qualifications:

A. Business Experience o Demonstrated experience providing leased lit fiber WAN or Internet services, preferably in K-12 public school environments.

o At least three years of experience delivering comparable services of similar scope and complexity.

B. E-Rate Eligibility and Compliance o Possession of a valid FCC Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN / 498 ID).

o Demonstrated knowledge of, and compliance with, FCC and USAC E-Rate Category 1 program requirements.

o Ability to file and support FCC Forms 473 (SPAC) and 474 (SPI).

C. Technical Capability o Ability to design, implement, and support scalable WAN and Internet solutions that meet all RFP specifications.

o Capability to support required bandwidth tiers, latency requirements, and service levels.

o Experience supporting VoIP, video, and multicast services.

D. Operational Capacity o Sufficient personnel, equipment, and resources to deliver and support services at all District locations.

o Ability to provide 24/7 network monitoring and technical support with established escalation procedures.

E. Financial Stability o Demonstrated financial stability to support long-term contract obligations.

o The District reserves the right to request financial statements or other documentation to verify financial capacity.

F. Past Performance and References o Proven record of satisfactory performance on similar contracts.

o Provide at least three references, preferably from K-12 public school districts or comparable public entities, for services performed within the past three years.

G. Primary Proposer Responsibility o If a proposal includes subcontractors or partners, the proposer must identify one primary proposer responsible for all aspects of contract performance, compliance, and service delivery.

H. Legal and Regulatory Compliance o Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.

o Ability to enter into a contract with the District under the terms and conditions outlined in this RFP.

3.6. SUBSTITUTIONS:

Substitutions and Approved Equals

Proposers are responsible for ensuring that all proposed equipment, services, and components meet or exceed the specifications and requirements in this RFP.

All requests for substitutions or proposed “equal” equipment or services must be submitted in writing and approved by the District before the proposal due date. Substitutions will be considered only if the proposer demonstrates that the alternative is functionally and technically equivalent to, or exceeds, the specified requirements.

Proposers proposing an alternate but equal brand, model, service, or solution must submit a written substitution request to the District’s designated representative at least ten (10) calendar days before the proposal due date.