E-Rate_Eligible_Wide_Area_Network_(WAN)_and_Internet_Services.pdf

WILLIAM S. HART UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

RFP2601A

For

E-RATE ELIGIBLE WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN) AND INTERNET SERVICES

William S. Hart Union High School District

21380 Centre Pointe Parkway

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

(661) 259-0033

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1. NOTICE INVITING PROPOSALS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT WILLIAM S. HART UNION HIGH

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, acting through and by its Governing Board, is requesting proposals from firms to provide E-Rate Eligible Wide Area

Network (WAN) and Internet Services.

RFP2601A

WILLIAM S. HART UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

E-Rate Eligible Wide Area Network (WAN) and Internet Services

The William S. Hart Union High School District (herein after referred to as “District”) is soliciting proposals from qualified E-Rate Service Providers to furnish all supervision, labor, materials, equipment, tools, vehicles, and transportation required to provide E-Rate Eligible

Wide Area Network (WAN) and Internet Services (as described herein) within the William S.

Hart Union High School District in the time and manner specified in this RFP. The William S.

Hart Union High School District has an on-going strategic plan which includes telecommunication services, connectivity, and support. The District's technology infrastructure consists of a local area network installed at each campus with a wide area network connecting the campuses together at the Administrative Center location. The District is seeking to leverage its investment in these areas to achieve maximum operating efficiencies and cost savings. The

District is seeking telecommunication providers that are able to meet its data telecommunication needs. The present system utilizes various levels and types of services at multiple locations.

The Request for Proposal (“RFP”) package is available through OpenGov, the District's e-

Procurement Portal ("Portal") on the District's Purchasing & Bids Department website www.hartdistrict.org/apps/pages/purchasing. Questions should be submitted in writing electronically via the Portal no later than Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 10:00 am PST.

Responses to questions and/or clarifications will be posted on the Portal by Monday, January 12, 2026, 4:00 pm PST .

Completed proposal submissions and all supporting documents should be submitted through the

Portal no later 10:00 am PST on Friday, January 23, 2026.

The William S. Hart Union High School District reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to accept or to reject any one or more items within a proposal, or to waive any irregularities or informalities in the proposal or the RFP process.

Distributed: Tuesday, December 16, 2025 https://www.hartdistrict.org/apps/pages/purchasing

RFP2601A 2

Pursuant to Government Code section 53060, the William S. Hart Union High School District

(“District”) is soliciting proposals from experienced consultants (“firm” or “proposer”) to provide the services described herein.

This Request for Proposals (“RFP”) describes the required scope of services, the selection process, and the minimum information that must be included in a responsive proposal package.

This RFP requests that each interested firm respond with written documentation of its qualifications. The District may, in its discretion, also decide to conduct interviews. Responses must be received no later than 10:00 am PST on Friday, January 23, 2026 District representatives may contact individual firms to schedule interviews once proposals have been received and reviewed.

2. NOTICE REGARDING DISCLOSURE OF CONTENTS OF DOCUMENT

All responses to this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) accepted by the William S. Hart Union High

School District (“District”) shall become the exclusive property of the District. Upon opening, all proposals accepted by the District shall become a matter of public record and shall be regarded as public information, with the exception of those elements of each proposal identified by the preparers as “trade secret,” “confidential,” or “proprietary.” Each element of a proposal that an applicant desires not to be considered a public record must be clearly marked as set forth above, and any blanket statements (i.e., regarding entire pages, documents, or other non-specific designations) shall not be sufficient and shall not bind the District in any way whatsoever. If disclosure is required under the California Public Records Act or otherwise by law (despite preparer’s request for confidentiality), the District shall not in any way be liable or responsible for the disclosure of any such records or part thereof.

3. SCOPE OF REQUIRED SERVICES

The successful proposer’s scope of services will include, but not be limited to, the following:

3.1. Scope of Required Services

The District's current fiber WAN infrastructure is not able to Load Balance for the District's strategic endeavors of supporting high achievement for all learners in a multi-media digital environment to support 21st century learning and collaboration. The District requires reliable connectivity services that are always available and scalable to support learning. Please refer to

Section 7.0, E-Rate Wide Area Network (WAN) Scope of Work in the project manual for specific details.

4. PROPOSER REQUIREMENTS

Firms who respond to the RFP must meet the following requirements:

• Demonstrated experience conducting the same or similar services for California public school districts.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct timely, thorough work.

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• Reasonable pricing.

• No conflict of interest in acting as a consultant for the District.

• Evidence of all required licensing necessary for to fulfill the requirements and the services outlined in this RFP.

4.1. Proposal Content*

Reference Project Manual, Section 13.0 Content of Qualifications and Proposal Format to provide responses to this section.

A. Proposals must include the following requirements:

1. Cover Letter: Provide and include at a minimum:

a. A brief statement of interest and summary of relevant qualifications to engage in a professional relationship with the William S. Hart Union High School District.

b. The following statements: "The [Service Provider] received copy of the standardized Agreement for Services used by the William S. Hart Union High

School District, including the indemnity provisions and all liability insurance provisions contained therein. If given the opportunity to contract with the District, the [Service Provider] has no substantive objections to the use of these

Agreements." "I certify that I have read the attached RFP & P and accompanying instructions and that I am authorized to commit the firm to the Proposal submitted."

2. Description of the Firm: Describe the firm by providing the following information:

a. Service Provider Name

b. Address

c. Service Provider SPIN Number

d. Name of Contact Person

e. Phone Number

f. E-mail Address

g. Year Established

h. Number of Employees

i. Principal Signature

j. Corporate Seal

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k. Written evidence of all required verifications, that if awarded a contract by the

District, ensure all eligible components of service are filed with the California

Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and are eligible for the California

Teleconnect Fund (CTF) discount.

l. How large is your client base?

m. Do you have your own service staff? If not, where do you obtain this staff?

3. Implementation Team: Identify key team members, and state their relevant qualifications for providing services identified in this RFP. Be specific and brief.

Include requested information for assigned Project Manager and Project Engineers.

Define the Roles of Project Manager and Project Engineers. Be sure to highlight any areas that are not as requested in the RFP. Include any exceptions taken to RFP. If no exceptions, state "No Exceptions."

4. Service Provider's Qualifications / Experience including:

a. Provide relevant technical capabilities and qualifications and project experience in project by-project format:

i. Be specific and concise

ii. Do not use generalized information

iii. Complete and include District Qualifications Questionnaire, and include with

Proposer's qualifications, at the end of this Section 3.

b. Please include a detailed description of any proposed solution that is different from what is stated in this RFP, and clearly identify this information within this

Article.

c. Specify role of firm or individual if work was not exclusively by the firm (i.e.

joint venture, association).

d. For each Project sited, provide the following:

i. Project or Project name

ii. Location

iii. District/Owner name

iv. Name of contact person

v. Phone number

vi. Beginning and End dates of Project or Service, as applicable

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vii. Description of Project or Service

viii. Main Project elements

ix. The emphasis of your qualifications and proposal should be on completeness, adherence to directions and format requirements, brevity, and clarity of content.

e. Insert completed Service Provider's Qualifications form from pages 62 & 63 of

RFP.

*Response required

4.2. Operational Timeline for Services, Cut-Over / Installation Plan*

Provide a complete timeline stating the number of days that services will be operational from date of order. Include the number of days expected from Notice to Proceed to Cut-Over, including each phase of project. Be sure to highlight any areas that are not as requested in RFP.

Include any exceptions taken to RFP. If no exceptions, state "No Exceptions."

*Response required

4.3. Subcontractors*

Please complete the form titled "Designation of Subcontractors" found in the Required Bid

Forms Section of the RFP.

Each proposal shall list any sub-consultant that the firm may use on the project. If there will be no sub-consultants working on this project at any time during the contract period, respond in this field with "N/A."

*Response required

4.4. Litigation History*

The firm shall list all litigation in the last five (5) years, filed either by a client, a client’s representative or a contractor, which names the firm, firm’s employees or the firm’s consultants as defendants of any type. State the nature of the complaint, the beginning and end date, or anticipated end date, of each lawsuit, case number of proceeding and the judgment or resolution or the anticipated judgment or resolution, including any settlement outside of court. The firm shall also provide specific information on termination for default and information concerning any convictions for filing false claims within the past five (5) years. The firm shall state whether the firm has or has not filed a petition for bankruptcy. If the firm has filed a petition for bankruptcy, the firm shall provide the date the petition was filed and identify the jurisdiction in which the petition was filed. If this does not apply to your firm, respond in this field with

"N/A."

*Response required

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4.5. Pricing*

Please complete the Supplemental Price Sheets found in the Required Bid Forms Section of the RFP.

A. Submit completed Supplemental Price Sheets.

o Include one-time and monthly recurring costs, separating taxes, fees and E-Rate

Ineligible services.

o Include and list any one-time costs, for items such as, but not limited to, Special construction, set-up, installation, etc.

o Include and list any monthly (ongoing) costs o Proposers shall include a Fee Schedule list for any work or services not specifically stated in this RFP, to assist the District with future budgeting needs.

o All cost Proposals must include pricing to install services to the MPOE and

Demarcation point.

o Proposal costs and fees should reflect the following scenarios:

▪ Please include fully burdened price Proposals on an annual basis for a potential maximum contract of five (5) years.

o Prices to remain firm for the first three-year term of the Contract.

o Written requests for price increases, if approved in writing by the District, for subsequent contract renewal years, will not exceed the percentage change listed in the

Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Los Angeles area for the calendar year ending on

December 31st preceding the renewal year.

o The awarded contractor is responsible for requesting all price increases in writing thirty (30) business days prior to expiration of contract.

o Price increases shall not be automatically made.

o If the District determines a price decrease may be applicable as a result of industry trends, thirty (30) business days prior to expiration of contract, the District will contact awarded contractor in writing to request a price decrease negotiation meeting.

o By submitting qualifications and a Proposal, the awarded contractor agrees that it is willing to provide such contract extensions under these terms if requested by the

District, at the District's sole discretion.

o Future contracts and/ or renewals will be at the sole discretion of the District.

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4.6. Authorized Representative*

Please enter the full name and title of the Authorized Representative submitting this response.

Proposer confirms that the Authorized Representative named here is authorized to act as agent on behalf of the Respondent with regard to this RFP.

*Response required

4.7. Proposal Submittal Acknowledgment*

All materials submitted in response to this RFP shall become the property of the William

S. Hart Union High School District.

The undersigned (“Proposer”) submits this Proposal in response to the RFP issued by the

District, including any and all Addenda, to complete the work described in the RFP. Please note that initially capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the RFP.

By confirming below, Proposer acknowledges receipt, understanding and full consideration of all materials posted on the website including any and all Addenda. Proposer represents and warrants that it has read the RFP and agrees to abide by the contents and terms of the RFP.

Proposer further understands that all costs and expenses incurred by it in preparing a response to this RFP and participating in the District Project procurement process will be borne solely by the Proposer.

This RFP shall be governed by and construed in all respects according to the laws of the State of California.

By submitting this response, the Proposer confirms that the Authorized Representative named above is authorized to act as agent on behalf of the Respondent with regard to this RFP.

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

4.8. Previous Disqualification, Removal or Other Prevention of Proposing Certification*

The Proposer shall answer, under penalty of perjury, the following:

Has the Proposer or any major participant, any officer or any employee who has a proprietary interest thereof, ever been disqualified, removed or otherwise prevented from proposing on, or completing a federal, state or local government project because of a violation of law or a safety regulation? (Please answer YES or NO)

If the answer is yes, explain the circumstances in the following space:

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4.9. I certify that I have read the enclosed Request for Proposal and the instructions for providing a response. I further certify that I acknowledge having to submit my response electronically through OpenGov and that I am authorized to commit the firm to the qualifications submitted.*

☐ Please confirm

*Response required

5. EVALUATION AND SELECTION PROCESS

The District will establish an Evaluation Committee for the purpose of reviewing and evaluating proposals submitted in response to the RFP. After an initial screening of the proposals, the

District may conduct in-person interviews. Interviews will consist of a proposer’s presentation to the Evaluation Committee and a question and answer discussion session. The presentation will afford the proposers the opportunity to highlight the significant aspects of their approach and understanding of the District Projects and offer a chance for the Evaluation Committee to ask clarifying questions of their proposals. The oral presentation shall not be used to fill in missing or incomplete information that was required in the written proposal.

The District may perform an investigation of the proposers that extends beyond contacting the school districts or other entities identified in the proposals. The District shall have the right to request any additional information from any or all of the proposing firms, to select, in its sole discretion, firms that will be interviewed, and to select, in its sole discretion, the firm that best meets the needs of the District and to initiate negotiations to engage that firm.

5.1. Prerequisite Qualifications

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Acknowledgement of Terms and Conditions as set forth in RFP.

Pass / Fail 100

(16.7% of Total)

2. Service Provider Acknowledgement that purchase will be contingent upon the District

Governing Board Approval, successful completion of the District contracting procedures, and funding approval from the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD).

Points Based 100 (16.7% of Total)

3. Service Provider agreement to SLD's Service

Provider Invoicing (SPI) format for reimbursement / payment.

Pass / Fail 100 (16.7% of Total)

4. Service Provider guarantee that all installation is done in compliance with applicable City of Santa Clarita and County of Los Angeles construction and buildings codes.

Pass / Fail 100 (16.7% of Total)

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5. Service Provider agrees to provide all permits within the scope and cost of the

Proposal submitted.

Pass / Fail 100 (16.7% of Total)

6. If awarded contract, Service Provider agrees to furnish performance / payment bonds if

Implementations Plan requires.

Pass / Fail 100 (16.7% of Total)

5.2. Evaluation Categories

No. Evaluation Criteria Scoring Method Weight (Points)

1. Cost of E-Rate eligible products and or services.

Points Based 45

(44.6% of Total)

2. Cost of E-Rate ineligible products and or services.

Points Based 5

(5% of Total)

3. Proposal Meets or Exceeds all Technical requirements.

Points Based 20

(19.8% of Total)

4. Compatibility with existing systems. Points Based 5 (5% of Total)

5. Ease of Interoperability with existing systems.

Points Based 5

(5% of Total)

6. Service Providers capability / ability to deliver services.

Points Based 10

(9.9% of Total)

7. Vendor References and Background. Points Based 10 (9.9% of Total)

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8. Oral Presentation

The District reserves the right to interview, or require an oral presentation from, any Service

Provider for clarification of information set forth in the Service Provider's Proposal. In this regard, at the discretion of the evaluation committee, some or all Service Providers who submit a Proposal in response to this RFP may be asked to submit an interview or give an oral presentation of their respective Proposals to the evaluation committee. If so, this is not to be a presentation restating the Proposal, but rather a in-depth analysis of certain qualifications of the

Service Provider. The interview or oral presentation, if utilized, is intended to provide an opportunity for the Service Provider to clarify or elaborate on its qualifications without restating the Proposal. The interview or oral presentation is to be a fact finding and explanation session only and is not to be used to negotiate any terms of the contract.

Pass / Fail 1 (1% of Total)

6. SUBMISSION

Completed proposal submissions must be made electronically in OpenGov, accessible through the District's Purchasing & Bids Department website at www.hartdistrict.org/apps/pages/purchasing. Navigate to Notice Inviting Bids on the right hand side menu. Scroll down to Current bids and click on the Project Title "E-Rate Eligible Wide Area

Network (WAN) and Internet Services RFP2601A." All submission must be made through

OpenGov no later than 10:00 am PST on Friday, January 23, 2026.

7. FORM OF CONTRACT

The District intends to negotiate and enter into a contract with the most qualified, responsible firm whose proposal is determined to be in the best interest of the District. Fees will be negotiated between the chosen firm and the District; fee structure will be commensurate with the market and experience. Note that the District expects that all reimbursable charges will be charged at the consultant’s actual cost, without additional markup, and only with prior District approval.

8. AWARD

The District reserves the right to (1) accept one or more proposals it deems, at its sole discretion, to be in the best interest of the District; and (2) reject any and/or all items proposed.

9. GENERAL PROVISIONS

• Right to Reject. The District reserves the right to reject any or all submittals, to accept or to reject any one or more components of a submittal, or to waive any irregularities or informalities in the submittals or in the request for proposals process.

https://www.hartdistrict.org/apps/pages/purchasing

RFP2601A 11

• Addenda. The District may modify this RFP prior to the date fixed for the submission of proposals by issuance of an addendum. Addenda will be through OpenGov. If any person contemplating submitting a proposal for services listed herein is in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of this RFP, he/she may submit a written request for an interpretation or correction via the Question & Answer tab in OpenGov no later than

10:00 am PST on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Any interpretation or correction of District specifications in this RFP will be made only by addenda, duly issued by the District representatives and posted on OpenGov by 4:00 pm PST on Monday, January 12, 2026.

• Multiple Responses. Only one (1) final response is to be submitted by each firm.

Multiple responses will result in rejection of all responses submitted by the firm.

• Withdrawal of Response. The firm may withdraw its response to this RFP electronically in OpenGov prior to the time and date specified for submission. Proposals may be withdrawn and resubmitted in the same manner if done so before the proposal submission deadline. Withdrawal or modification offered in any other manner will not be considered.

• Reservations. The District reserves the right to cancel this RFP at any time prior to contract award without any obligation in any manner for proposal preparation, interview, fee negotiation, or other marketing costs associated with this RFP. The District may reject any or all responses and may waive any immaterial deviation in a response. The

District’s waiver of an immaterial defect shall in no way modify the RFP documents or excuse the firm from compliance with other provisions of this RFP.

• Disposition of Proposals. Proposals become the property of the District and may be returned only at the District’s option and the firm’s expense. Information contained therein shall become public documents subject to the California Public Records Act.

• Non-Discrimination. The District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, ancestry, medical condition, disability, or gender in consideration for an award of contract.

• Specifications not Contractual. Nothing contained in this RFP shall create any contractual relationship between any proposer and the District. The District accepts no financial responsibility for costs incurred by any applicant regarding this RFP.

• Taxes. Rates shall include all federal, state, local, and other taxes, to the extent applicable.

• Debarment. In submitting a proposal in response to this RFP the submitting individual the firm and any owner, partner, director, officer, or principal of the firm and any person providing services on behalf of the firm in accordance with this RFP certify that they

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have (1) not been debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, and declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from covered transactions by any federal or state department/agency, (2) have not within a three-year period preceding this certification been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered against him/her/it for: commission of fraud or a criminal offense in connection with obtaining, attempting to obtain, or performing a public transaction or contract (federal, state, or local); violation of federal or state antitrust statutes; or commission of embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery, falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, or receiving stolen property; (3) are not presently indicted for or otherwise criminally or civilly charged by a governmental entity (federal, state, or local) with commission of any of the offenses enumerated above; and (4) have not within a three-year period preceding this certification had one or more public transactions or contracts (federal, state, or local) terminated for cause or default.

• Interviews. The District reserves the right to interview as many or as few of the proposing firms as it deems necessary after receipt and review of all proposals.

• Compliance with Applicable Law. The selected respondent(s) and each of its (their) sub-consultants shall comply with all applicable federal and California laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act 1964, the California Fair Employment

Practices Act, and any other applicable federal and state laws and regulations hereinafter enacted, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The respondent shall not discriminate against any prospective or active employee based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, or marital status. The selected respondent shall cause the above provisions to be inserted in all contracts with sub-consultants/subcontractors for any work covered by this document so that such provisions will be binding upon each subconsultant/subcontractor.

• Prevailing Law. In the event of any conflict or ambiguity between these instructions and state or federal law or regulations, the latter shall prevail. All equipment to be supplied or services to be performed under a proposal shall conform to all applicable requirements of local, state and federal law, including, but not limited to, Labor Code §§ 1771, 1778 and 1779.

• Miscellaneous. Prior to contract execution, proof of insurance at the levels specified in the specific contract will be required.

All personnel who will visit school sites may also be required to be fingerprinted pursuant to Education Code section 45125.1 and to sign certifications prohibiting use of drugs or tobacco products on school sites pursuant to the District's Administrative

Regulation 3513.3.

The individual or official of the firm who has the authority to contractually bind the firm

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must sign the RFP response.

The RFP response preparation and associated costs are the sole responsibility of the proposer and no proposer will be reimbursed by the District for any costs associated with responding to this RFP.

Awarded Service Provider shall comply with all applicable licensing requirements, Federal, State and local laws, regulations, ordinances and codes which are in effect at the time of execution of any contract resulting from this RFP, and place obligations on awarded Service Provider with respect to its performance under any subsequent contractual agreement.

10. PUBLIC WORKS PROVISIONS

• Labor Compliance Monitoring. A portion of the scope of work required hereunder is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the California Department of

Industrial Relations. In accordance with Labor Code § 1771.1, all proposers and subcontractors performing the inspection services shall be duly registered with the

Department of Industrial Relations at time of submission of a proposal and at all relevant times. Proof of registration shall be provided as to all such individuals prior to the commencement of any work.

• Debarment of Contractors and Subcontractors. In accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code, individuals may not perform work on a public works project when ineligible to perform work on a public project pursuant to Labor Code sections 1777.1 or

1777.7. Any contract on a public works project entered into between a contractor and a debarred subcontractor is void as a matter of law. A debarred subcontractor may not receive any public money for performing work as a subcontractor on a public works contract. Any public money that is paid to a debarred individual shall be returned to the District. Proposer shall be responsible for the payment of wages to workers of a debarred subcontractor who has been allowed to work on the scope of work specified hereunder.

• Contractor’s State License Board and Certifications. Some of the work performed hereunder may require licensure by the California Contractors’ License Board. Pursuant to Section 7028.15 of the Business and Professions Code and Section 3300 of the Public

Contract Code, all proposers must possess proper licenses for performance of such work prior to submittal of a proposal. Subcontractors must possess the appropriate licenses for each specialty subcontracted prior to submittal of the proposal. Pursuant to Section

7028.5 of the Business and Professions Code, the District shall consider any proposal submitted by a contractor not currently licensed in accordance with state as non-responsive, and the District shall reject the proposal. The District shall have the right to request, and proposers shall provide within five (5) calendar days, evidence

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satisfactory to the District of all valid license(s) currently held by that proposer and each subcontractor.

• Prevailing Wages. Some portion of the scope of work may be considered a public works project subject to prevailing wage requirements and a proposer and any subcontractors are required to pay all workers employed for the performance of this work no less than the applicable prevailing wage rate for each such worker. Proposer acknowledges that the project is subject to compliance monitoring and enforcement by the California

Department of Industrial Relations in accordance with Labor Code § 1770 et seq.

• Contractor's License. The proposer must possess, at all times while performing the scope of work, the legally-required contractor’s license classification issued by the State of California, which must be current and in good standing. Contractor is asked to identify the proper licensure classification for the scope of work, based on its knowledge of the work necessary to submit the warranty.