ESBD_417072_1746797179991_Bid Invitation.pdf

25-013

Cybersecurity Pilot Program Requested Services & Equipment

Issue Date: 5/9/2025

Questions Deadline: 5/15/2025 12:00 PM (CT)

Response Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT)

Procurement Services

Contact Information

Contact: CJ Watts - Contract Specialist Address: Procurement Services

Gordon M Anderson Leadership Center 16717 Ella Blvd Houston, TX 77090

Phone: (281) 891-6465 Fax: (281) 891-6466 Email: contracts@springisd.org

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 1 of 30 pages

Event Information

Number: 25-013 Title: Cybersecurity Pilot Program Requested Services & Equipment Type: Request for Proposals Issue Date: 5/9/2025 Question Deadline: 5/15/2025 12:00 PM (CT) Response Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) Notes: The Spring Independent School District ("District") requests competitive sealed proposals for the purpose of identifying a vendor(s) to supply a Cybersecurity Pilot Program Requested Services & Equipment to support the needs of the District, in accordance with the terms, conditions and specifications established within this Request for Proposals (RFP).

Proposals are due on or before 12:00 pm (CST) on JUNE 13, 2025. An award recommendation will be made at the Spring ISD Board of Trustees meeting scheduled on AUGUST 12, 2025. If the award recommendation is approved, the initial term of this contract ("Contract") will be for one (1) year from AUGUST 13, 2025, through AUGUST 12, 2026. Thereafter, the District reserves the right to either renew the contract annually for up to four (4) additional one-year terms ("Renewal Terms") or to extend the contract on a month-to-month basis to prevent a lapse in the contract term until the District re-bids the Contract.

Total estimated value of this contract is greater than $50,000 annually, depending on the District's needs over the contract period.

Spring ISD uses an online bidding system to post and receive bids electronically. To view the full specifications of this RFP and to submit a proposal, you must be registered as a vendor within our online system and must log in. For assistance with the online registration process, please contact Procurement Services at 281-891- 6465.

Billing Information

Address: Accounts Payable Gordon M Anderson Leadership Center 16717 Ella Blvd Houston, TX 77090-4299

Phone: 281 (891) 6000 Fax: 281 (891) 6006

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 2 of 30 pages

Bid Attachments

STANDARD TERMS v10.24.24 FINAL.pdf Download

STANDARD TERMS & CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE PURCHASE OF GOODS AND SERVICES: 10.24.2024 - These Standard Terms & Conditions are requirements that are binding upon award of a Spring ISD Contract to the selected vendor(s). These terms communicate the District’s expectations with regard to the vendor's performance in connection with the District’s purchases. Vendors are cautioned to inform themselves fully on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth prior to engaging with the District.

fw9 (1).pdf View Online

**REQUIRED** Form W-9: This form is to be completed by all vendors submitting a bid response. The completed form must be uploaded to the District's online bidding system under the 'Response Attachments' tab.

Requested Attachments

Form W-9 (Attachment required)

**REQUIRED** - Form W-9: This form is to be completed by all vendors submitting a bid response. The completed form must be uploaded to the District's online bidding system under the 'Response Attachments' tab.

Company Summary & Narrative (Attachment required)

**REQUIRED** Company Summary & Narrative: Responding proposers are required to provide a Company Summary & Narrative of the related work that your company has provided to other organizations that are similar in size to the School District. This narrative shall include the name, address, and contact information of the referred organization.

Project A: CROWDSTRIKE IDENTITY PROTECTION

All vendors submitting pricing for Project A:CROWDSTRIKE IDENTITY PROTECTION in this Request for Proposals (RFP) must upload a detailed quote to the District's online bidding system under the 'Response Attachments' tab.

Project B: CROWDSTRIKE HOST-BASE FIREWALL

All vendors submitting pricing for Project B: CROWDSTRIKE HOST-BASE FIREWALL in this Request for Proposals (RFP) must upload a detailed quote to the District's online bidding system under the 'Response Attachments' tab.

Project C: PALO ALTO NETWORKS ADVANCED URL FILTERING SUBSCRIPTION

All vendors submitting pricing for Project C: PALO ALTO NETWORKS ADVANCED URL FILTERING SUBSCRIPTION in this Request for Proposals (RFP) must upload a detailed quote to the District's online bidding system under the 'Response Attachments' tab.

Project D: CROWDSTRIKE EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION

All vendors submitting pricing for Project D: CROWDSTRIKE EXPOSURE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION in this Request for Proposals (RFP) must upload a detailed quote to the District's online bidding system under the 'Response Attachments' tab.

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 3 of 30 pages https://springisd.ionwave.net//extract.aspx?e=sY-21~ixcx~ptFAIzo~47HyvJpraJWMNRuqAfzm0fprFQ9uUJEOq6d9RPPvEgkpK12h7EQ4CCGzb8S7D4bm9Hg https://springisd.ionwave.net//VendorLanding.aspx?e=871fm1evzNRsVAONPIgCg2Ilwu5kqVu7hI3URpIzYjgPlhKTnzUZOUjPoy5kkNhsl-JJOABP0rt3dySslHH-sQ

Bid Attributes

1 Scope of Work

Spring Independent School District (SISD) is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit competitive proposals from qualified vendors for a comprehensive Cybersecurity Pilot Program. SISD seeks a solution that will strengthen identity verification by adding an extra layer of defense, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access critical systems, assist in monitoring for vulnerabilities and desktop firewall security. The program encompasses four distinct projects aimed at enhancing the district's cybersecurity posture through the deployment of advanced security solutions.

Project Breakdown:

Project A: CrowdStrike Identity Protection

Project B: CrowdStrike Host-Based Firewall

Project C: Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering Subscription

Project D: CrowdStrike Exposure Management Solution

Vendors are invited to submit proposals for one or more of the projects listed above. Each project will be evaluated independently, and vendors are not required to bid on all four projects.

2 Project A: CrowdStrike Identity Protection

Objectives:

Protect the identities of students, faculty, and staff from credential-based attacks, insider threats, and account takeovers.

Implement a scalable and easily manageable identity protection solution for the District’s expanding digital infrastructure.

Ensure compliance with data privacy and cybersecurity regulations, including FERPA and CIPA.

Provide real-time monitoring, reporting, and alerting of identity-based threats.

Scope of Work The vendor selected through this RFP will be required to:

1. Provide the CrowdStrike Identity Threat Protection Solution Offer the necessary software and licenses for deploying the CrowdStrike Identity Threat Protection solution.

Ensure the solution integrates seamlessly with SISD’s existing infrastructure and security tools.

2. Licensing:

Provide flexible licensing options based on Spring ISD, a total of 34,000 active AD accounts.

3. Deployment and Integration

Provide end-to-end implementation of the solution, ensuring that all endpoints are protected and that there is minimal disruption to SISD’s operations during deployment.

Integrate the solution with Crowdstrike EDR, SISD’s network, including identity management systems, Active Directory, and other authentication systems

4. Real-Time Threat Detection and Prevention The solution must offer real-time detection of identity-based threats such as account takeovers, credential stuffing, and phishing attacks.

Provide automated mitigation and remediation capabilities to block suspicious activities immediately.

5. Training and Knowledge Transfer Provide training for SISD IT staff on the operation and management of the CrowdStrike Identity Threat

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 4 of 30 pages

Protection solution.

Offer user documentation, troubleshooting guides, and best practices for ongoing management.

6. Reporting and Analytics Implement reporting and analytics dashboards for SISD administrators to monitor identity-based threats, user access patterns, and overall security posture.

Ensure the ability to generate compliance and audit reports to meet district requirements.

7. Ongoing Support and Maintenance Provide ongoing support and maintenance for the CrowdStrike solution, including regular updates, threat intelligence updates, patches, and 24/7 customer support.

Offer a dedicated support line for urgent cybersecurity issues.

8. COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENT:

Equipment must be compatible with existing CrowdStike infrastructure. Bids that are not compatible with existing CrowdStike infrastructure will be disqualified.

Additional Bidding Specifications DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: The District will not accept bids from manufacturers of equipment deemed a national security threat by the Federal Communications Commission. A list of prohibited equipment is available at www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist. Vendors that submit bids that includes these manufacturers will have their bid disqualified.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: Service providers are required to bid the entire project. Bids for individual components, or bids that do not include all of the requested items for the project, will be disqualified.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: It will be the bidder’s responsibility to provide documentation about the compatibility requirements listed in this IFCB. Vendors that submit bids without documentation demonstrating the required compatibility listed in this RFP will have their bids disqualified, unless that vendor has bid the preferred make/model number listed.

3 Project B: CrowdStrike Host-Based Firewall

Objectives:

Enhance the security posture of Spring Independent School District by deploying an effective host-based firewall solution.

Ensure compliance with federal and state cybersecurity regulations.

Provide real-time protection for all endpoints, including faculty, staff, and student devices.

Enable easy management and monitoring of the firewall across multiple devices and platforms.

Provide reliable support and ongoing updates for the solution

Scope of Work:

The awarded vendor will be required to deliver the following:

1. CrowdStrike Host-Based Firewall Solution:

Provide the appropriate version(s) of the CrowdStrike host-based firewall solution to cover 11,700 endpoints within the District. The software must be compatible with existing operating systems, including Windows/Linux. Bids that are not compatible with our existing OS, or CrowdStrike infrastructure will be disqualified.

2. Licensing:

Provide flexible licensing options based on Spring ISD total 11,700 endpoint count.

3. Installation and Configuration:

Provide installation and configuration services for all supported endpoints. Ensure the solution is deployed in accordance with best practices to ensure maximum performance and protection.

4. Training:

Provide training sessions for IT staff on the deployment, configuration, and day-to-day management of the solution. Training materials should be provided in both digital and print formats.

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5. Ongoing Support and Maintenance:

Include details regarding your ongoing support model, including software updates, patches, and technical assistance. Proposals should outline response times for support requests, as well as access to a dedicated support team.

6. Reporting and Analytics:

Provide capabilities for real-time threat monitoring, incident response, and reporting of firewall activity and security incidents. These reports should be accessible via a web-based console or dashboard.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Technical Requirements:

The solution must provide host-based protection for 11,700 endpoints within the district’s network.

Must include advanced threat detection features, such as signature-based and behavior-based analysis.

Support for integration with Crowdstrike EDR, other cybersecurity tools, and platforms already in use by the District (such as SIEM systems).

Easy-to-use management interface for administrators.

2. Compliance and Security Requirements:

The solution must comply with applicable regulations, including but not limited to FERPA, HIPAA, and

CIPA.

Must ensure data protection and confidentiality, with encryption of sensitive information at rest and in transit.

3. Scalability:

The solution must be scalable to support growth in the District's number of endpoints and infrastructure over time.

4. Performance:

The firewall solution should have minimal impact on device performance while maintaining high detection and prevention rates.

5. Vendor Qualifications:

Proven experience with providing and supporting CrowdStrike solutions in K-12 or education environments.

A valid, active partnership with CrowdStrike or its authorized resellers.

6. COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENT:

Equipment must be compatible with existing CrowdStike infrastructure. Bids that are not compatible with existing CrowdStike infrastructure will be disqualified.

Additional Bidding Specifications DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: The District will not accept bids from manufacturers of equipment deemed a national security threat by the Federal Communications Commission. A list of prohibited equipment is available at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist. Vendors that submit bids that includes these manufacturers will have their bid disqualified.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: Service providers are required to bid the entire project. Bids for individual components, or bids that do not include all of the requested items for the project, will be disqualified.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: It will be the bidder’s responsibility to provide documentation about the compatibility requirements listed in this IFCB. Vendors that submit bids without documentation demonstrating the required compatibility listed in this RFP will have their bids disqualified, unless that vendor has bid the preferred make/model number listed.

4 Project C: Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering Subscription

Objectives

Implement Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering to block access to malicious websites and prevent web-based threats.

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Provide granular control over internet access to ensure that students, faculty, and staff can only access appropriate content.

Ensure that web traffic is filtered and monitored in compliance with relevant regulations such as CIPA and

FERPA.

Enhance reporting and visibility into web traffic to improve security operations and support decision-making.

Scope of Work The selected vendor will be required to:

1. Provide Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering Subscription Supply the necessary subscriptions/licenses for Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering to cover the required number of users and network devices.

Ensure the subscription supports the District's current infrastructure and any anticipated future expansions.

Bids that are not compatible with the District’s current Palo Alto infrastructure will be disqualified.

2. Deployment and Integration Provide end-to-end deployment of the Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering solution, ensuring seamless integration with SISD’s existing IT infrastructure, including Palo Alto firewalls or any other network security appliances currently in place.

Configure the solution to ensure proper filtering policies are in place, considering the needs of students, staff, and faculty.

3. Custom Policy Configuration Customize filtering policies to block or allow access to specific categories of websites based on SISD's unique needs.

Configure whitelisting and blacklisting rules to allow trusted sites and block harmful or non-compliant sites.

Provide the ability to apply different filtering rules for different user groups (students, staff, faculty).

4. Real-Time Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Provide a dashboard for real-time monitoring of web traffic, filtering activity, and blocked requests.

Enable detailed logging and reporting capabilities, including historical traffic data and compliance-related reports.

Allow administrators to generate customizable reports on web filtering activity for auditing and policy enforcement purposes.

5. Training and Knowledge Transfer Provide training to SISD’s IT staff on the configuration, management, and troubleshooting of the Palo Alto Networks Advanced URL Filtering solution.

Offer best practice recommendations for ongoing web filtering management.

Provide clear and comprehensive documentation for ease of use and troubleshooting.

6. Ongoing Support and Maintenance Provide technical support services to address any issues with the solution, including troubleshooting, updates, and patches.

Offer ongoing maintenance, including automatic updates of the URL filtering database and security intelligence feeds.

Ensure access to Palo Alto Networks support resources for escalation of issues as needed.

7. COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENT:

Equipment must be compatible with existing Palo Alto infrastructure. Bids that are not compatible with existing Palo Alto infrastructure will be disqualified.

Additional Bidding Specifications DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: The District will not accept bids from manufacturers of equipment deemed a national security threat by the Federal Communications Commission. A list of prohibited equipment is available at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist. Vendors that submit bids that includes these manufacturers will have their bid disqualified.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: Service providers are required to bid the entire project. Bids for individual components, or bids that do not include all of the requested items for the project, will be disqualified.

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DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: It will be the bidder’s responsibility to provide documentation about the compatibility requirements listed in this IFCB. Vendors that submit bids without documentation demonstrating the required compatibility listed in this RFP will have their bids disqualified, unless that vendor has bid the preferred make/model number listed.

5 Project D: CrowdStrike Exposure Management Solution

Objectives:

Implement a CrowdStrike Exposure Management Solution that identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks associated with external and internal threats.

Improve SISD’s ability to monitor and manage its security posture, both at the endpoint level and across the network.

Ensure compliance with applicable security standards and regulations, including FERPA, CIPA, and other relevant cybersecurity requirements.

Create an effective and automated solution for risk assessment, vulnerability management, and incident response.

Scope of Work The selected vendor will be required to:

1. Provide the CrowdStrike Exposure Management Solution Provide the necessary software to deploy CrowdStrike Exposure Management across all SISD endpoints, networks, and devices.

Ensure compatibility with SISD’s existing IT infrastructure, including endpoints running on Windows, macOS, and mobile operating systems.

2. Licensing:

Provide flexible licensing options based on Spring ISD total 11,700 endpoint count.

3. Deployment and Integration Deploy and configure the CrowdStrike Exposure Management solution, integrating it with SISD’s current security tools and infrastructure.

Ensure seamless integration with existing security information and event management (SIEM) tools, network security appliances, identity management systems, and Crowdstrike EDR.

4. Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Provide comprehensive risk and vulnerability assessment tools to identify exposed assets, vulnerabilities, and gaps in SISD’s security posture.

Enable continuous scanning for new vulnerabilities and threats, providing actionable insights and remediation steps to minimize potential security risks.

5. Continuous Monitoring and Alerts Provide real-time monitoring of exposures and vulnerabilities, ensuring SISD’s IT team is notified of potential threats in a timely manner.

Enable configurable alerts for critical vulnerabilities and potential exposure risks.

6. Incident Response and Mitigation Enable automated or manual mitigation actions to address security vulnerabilities and minimize exposure to threats.

Provide tools for documenting and responding to security incidents related to exposure management, including workflows for incident resolution.

7. Training and Knowledge Transfer Provide training for SISD’s IT team to ensure they are equipped to manage the CrowdStrike Exposure Management solution effectively.

Provide user documentation, troubleshooting guides, and best practices for managing vulnerabilities and exposures.

8. Ongoing Support and Maintenance Offer ongoing technical support, software updates, threat intelligence updates, and patches to ensure the solution remains up-to-date and effective.

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Provide 24/7 support to address any issues that arise with the exposure management solution.

9. COMPATIBILITY REQUIREMENT:

Equipment must be compatible with existing CrowdStike infrastructure. Bids that are not compatible with existing CrowdStike infrastructure will be disqualified.

Additional Bidding Specifications DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: The District will not accept bids from manufacturers of equipment deemed a national security threat by the Federal Communications Commission. A list of prohibited equipment is available at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain/coveredlist. Vendors that submit bids that includes these manufacturers will have their bid disqualified.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: Service providers are required to bid the entire project. Bids for individual components, or bids that do not include all of the requested items for the project, will be disqualified.

DISQUALIFICATION FACTOR: It will be the bidder’s responsibility to provide documentation about the compatibility requirements listed in this IFCB. Vendors that submit bids without documentation demonstrating the required compatibility listed in this RFP will have their bids disqualified, unless that vendor has bid the preferred make/model number listed.

6 Vendor Instructions

It is recommended that vendors review the information associated with this Request for Proposals (”RFP” or ”Solicitation”) in the following order:

1. Read the RFP documents provided under the 'Attachments' tab (as applicable) to learn about the services requested by Spring ISD and the associated terms, conditions, and specifications of this solicitation and any resulting contract;

2. Read all the information listed under the 'Bid Attributes' tab to familiarize yourself with the information being provided or requested by the District;

3. Read all the information listed under the 'Line Items' tab (as applicable) to understand the pricing information requested by the District;

4. Gather the information you will need to prepare your proposal;

5. Provide all the required information (Bid Attributes), completed forms, and/or other documents (Response Attachments), as requested per the instructions in this Solicitation; and finally,

6. Submit your proposal prior to the bid submission deadline.

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT VENDORS SUBMIT THEIR PROPOSALS AT LEAST FOUR (4) HOURS PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHED BID SUBMISSION DEADLINE IN ORDER TO WORK THROUGH ANY ERRORS OR

MISSED RESPONSES YOU MAY BE ADVISED OF BY THE SYSTEM AS YOU TRY SUBMITTING YOUR

PROPOSAL. THE DISTRICT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY NON-SUBMITTED PROPOSALS CAUSED BY ANY REASON OUT OF THE DISTRICT'S CONTROL, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPROPER PLANNING BY THE VENDOR TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE PRIOR TO THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE, INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

ISSUES, OR TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES OF ANY KIND

7 Vendor Instructions (Quote)

All vendors responding to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must submit pricing under the "Line Items" and upload a detailed quote for each project they are bidding. Each document uploaded must clearly indicate the corresponding project name. Please upload these documents under the "Response Attachments" tab.

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8 Pricing Requirements

1. Bid pricing shall remain fixed for the full initial term of this contract. Any requests for a price increase may be presented to the District for consideration only at the contract renewal points and must be accompanied by a proper justification. The District expects suppliers to avoid cost increases and to negotiate with their own suppliers or manufacturers in order to achieve this objective. Any price increase requests that are accompanied by proper justification should limit the increase to no more than 3% over the previous year's costs. The District reserves the right to contest and negotiate any price increase requests.

2. Suppliers are not required to bid on all items; however, suppliers who bid all or most items may have a better chance of being awarded part or all of the contract. Please select ”No Bid” for those items you decide not to bid on.

The District reserves the right to issue a partial award or award for all items based on the submitted proposals.

3. If varying minimum order quantities are required for any particular item, or if Manufacturer price increases have occurred, the District reserves the right to price quote those items from any of the awarded vendors and to add the desired item to the contract of the vendor whose proposal offers the best value to the District, considering all relevant factors including but not limited to pricing, availability, product quality, expected delivery lead times, etc.

4. The unit pricing proposed for the products listed in the Line Items tab shall represent the maximum price the District would pay for such products; however, the District reserves the right to negotiate better pricing based on large orders associated with special projects.

9 Product Substitutions, Additions, or Cancellations

In the event that the needs of the District change during the effective term of an awarded contract, the District may decide to either (i) substitute a previously awarded item with another product that meets new requirements, (ii) add a new product to the awarded contract, or (iii) cancel/remove a product from the contract. Spring ISD will reserve the right to take any of these actions at any time and at its sole discretion with prior written notice to the affected vendor(s).

(i) PRODUCT SUBSTITUTIONS: Product substitutions for original products no longer available through the awarded vendor(s) or no longer desired by the District for any reason may be either negotiated directly with the vendor(s) awarded the original item(s) or quotes may be requested from one or more of the other awarded vendors. If the product substitute recommended by any given vendor is not acceptable to Spring ISD for any reason, then Spring ISD reserves the right to purchase the product substitute through a vendor on a Purchasing Cooperative or another vendor of its choice.

(ii) PRODUCT ADDITIONS: Related products not originally listed in this solicitation that the District expects to order on an ongoing basis over the term of the contract may be added to the contract of an awarded vendor, as needed, and Spring ISD reserves the right to either negotiate pricing for such product(s) directly with one or more of the awarded vendors, to obtain price quotes from one or more of the awarded vendors and then negotiate final pricing with any of the awarded vendors, or to purchase such product(s) from a Purchasing Cooperative.

(iii) PRODUCT CANCELLATIONS: Products no longer desired or required by the District may be canceled/removed from any awarded contract at any time and for any reason by not placing any additional reorders for such product and by notifying the affected vendor(s) of such decision. In such instances, the District will be liable only for any products ordered by and delivered to the District prior to the District issuing a written notice to the affected vendors of its decision to remove such product(s) from the awarded contract.

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Exceptions to Sourcing from Contracted Vendors

In certain cases, it may be necessary for the District to purchase products covered by this bid from a vendor or vendors other than the originally contracted vendor(s).

Those exceptions include the following:

1. The need for a product or service is acute and delay in obtaining it would adversely affect the District.

2. A contracted vendor cannot supply a product and cannot special order the product in a timely manner and/or under the original terms and conditions.

3. The product/service offered by an awarded contractor may be obtained through an authorized Purchasing Cooperative under better terms (i.e. Lower pricing, shorter lead time, better quality, etc.).

4. Deviation in pricing from the prices submitted in this bid.

PLEASE CHECK THE BOX TO CONFIRM ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THIS PROVISION.

I acknowledge review of this provision (Required: Check if applicable)

Evaluation Criteria

EVALUATION CRITERIA: By law (Texas Education Code 44.031(b)) contract awards must be made taking into account the following factors:

a. Purchase price or discount;

b. Long-term costs (service, supplies, maintenance, etc.);

c. Quality of vendor's goods or services;

d. Extent to which the good or service meets district needs;

e. Reputation of the vendor and of the vendor's goods or services;

f. Vendor’s past relationship with the district;

g. Impact on the ability of the district to comply with laws and rules relating to historically underutilized businesses;

h. For a contract for goods and services, other than goods and services related to telecommunications and information services, building construction and maintenance, or instructional materials, whether the vendor or the vendor's ultimate parent company or majority owner (i) has its principal place of business in this state; or (ii) employs at least 500 persons in this state; and

i. Any other relevant factor(s) specifically listed in the request for bids or proposals.

NOTE: Although all factors shall be considered by the District, the District reserves the right to assign a weight to each evaluation criteria. If one or more factors do not have any weight on the evaluation process of a specific request for bid or proposal, the District may assign a weight of zero ”0” to said irrelevant factors.

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Late Proposals Not Accepted

The "Close Date & Time" referenced on this solicitation is the deadline by which responses must be posted and submitted via the District's web-based e-sourcing system.

LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

Please give yourself ample time to enter your submission online prior to the deadline, at which time the online system will lock and will not accept any submissions.

IMPORTANT NOTES TO SUPPLIERS:

- The District highly recommends that vendors submit their completed bid response 4 to 24 hours prior to the bid submission deadline in order to have time to address any errors they may encounter during the bid submission process. For example, the system will notify you of any instances where you may have failed to enter a response to a required bid attribute.

- The District will not be responsible for any late responses or for any technical issues that are out of the District's direct control.

Vendor Questions & Answers (Submit Online)

Any questions associated with this Request for Proposals will be addressed via this online bidding system under the "Questions" tab.

Questions must be submitted by no later than 12:00 pm (CST) on THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2025. Answers will be posted on this system within 1 school business days after this date and will be available for all vendors to review.

Any published answers to the questions submitted during this solicitation that pertains to good/service specifications, good/service requirements, clarifications, terms and conditions, etc. will hereby be incorporated into and made a part of RFP.

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Criteria for Contract Award

The District reserves the right to accept or reject any and all offers and to waive any technicalities and formalities, and to be the sole judge of quality.

In awarding this contract, the District will consider the following criteria:

1. Purchase Price: Price of Eligible Goods and Services (30 points)

- (20 points) Eligible costs for the Cybersecurity Program.

- (10 points) Ineligible costs for the Cybersecurity Program.

2. Quality of services: Enhanced Reliability and Resiliency (15 points)

- (15 points) Vendor has the technical ability to deliver product/services.

3. Extent to Which the Good or Service Meets District’s Needs (15 points)

- (10 points) Vendor has the resources to deliver product/services.

- (5 points) Bidder has responded to all items indicated in the Project.

4. Location of Company (15 points)

- (10 points) Location within the State of Texas.

- (5 points) Location of the business/supporting offices is within the Houston Area.

- (0 points) Location of business outside the State of Texas

5. Vendor reputation: (15 points)

- (15 points) Experience your organization has delivering goods/services with districts similar to Spring ISD, governmental entities, or corporate environments? (Includes References)

6. Vendor’s Past Relationship with the District: Service History (10 points)

- (1-10 points) Unsatisfactory to Great

- (5 points) No Experience

NOTE: All contracts awarded will be contingent upon funding and final Spring ISD Board of Trustees approval. Spring ISD reserves the right to terminate all or part of the contract due to non-appropriation of funds.

W-9: Company Name

Please provide your Company name as listed in Box 1 of the Form W-9 and as shown on your income tax return.

If this name does not match your name as registered in this e-bidding system, please email contracts@gmail.com (include your W-9) to request an update.

(Required: Maximum 100 characters allowed)

W-9: Company Business Name/Doing Business As (DBA)

Please provide your Company Business Name as listed in Box 2 of the Form W-9, as applicable.

If this name does not match your business name as registered in this e-bidding system, please email contracts@gmail.com (include your W-9) to request an update.

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Contact Name & Title (Authorized Agent)

What is the full name and title of the authorized agent associated with this bid?

(Required: Maximum 50 characters allowed)

Contact Email Address (Authorized Agent)

What is the e-mail address of the authorized agent associated with this bid?

(Required: Email address)

Contact Phone Number (Authorized Agent)

What is the phone number of the authorized agent associated with this bid?

(__ __ __) __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ ext:

(Required)

Vendor Qualification (Term of Pricing)

As indicated within this solicitation, all bid pricing is to remain fixed for a minimum of 12 months. Please confirm for how long (months) your bid pricing will remain fixed.

(Required: Numbers only)

Vendor Qualification (Principal Place of Business)

What is the location of your firm’s principal place of business (Headquarters)? (City and State)

Vendor Qualification (Longevity)

How many years has your company been engaged in the business for the goods or services offered in this response under the current business name?

(Required: Numbers only)

Vendor Qualification (Longevity - Similar Client)

How many years of service does your company have delivering goods/services with districts similar in size to Spring ISD, governmental entities, or corporate environments?

(Required: Numbers only)

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 14 of 30 pages

Vendor Qualification (Shipping & Handling Charges)

Please indicate whether your unit prices include shipping & handling charges, as requested within this solicitation.

Yes, shipping & handling charges are included No, shipping & handling charges are not included (Required: Check only one)

Vendor Qualifications (Minimum Order Requirements)

Are there any minimum order requirements for any of the products listed on this bid? If so, please indicate so and reference the line items affected by such requirements.

Vendor Qualification (Number of Employees Nationwide)

How many full-time employees does your company have nationwide?

(Required: Numbers only)

Vendor Qualification (Number of Employees in Texas)

How many employees does your company employ in the state of Texas?

(Required: Numbers only)

Warranty on Defective Merchandise

Any defective merchandise shall carry a minimum supplier guarantee or manufacturer's warranty and vendor shall authorize either an exchange at no additional cost or return for full credit within a reasonable time following the purchase.

Vendor Long-term Cost (Warranty terms & conditions)

What is your company's warranty terms and conditions?

If your company does not provide goods, please indicate "Not applicable".

(Required: Maximum 500 characters allowed)

Vendor Qualification (Inventory)

What percentage of the items listed in this bid is currently stocked in your inventory?

(Required: Maximum 1000 characters allowed)

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 15 of 30 pages

Vendor Qualification (History with Spring ISD)

Has your company ever done business with Spring ISD?

Yes No (Required: Check only one)

Vendor Qualification (Prior Service to Spring ISD)

Please indicate whether you have provided services to Spring ISD in the past (or are currently providing services) and briefly describe the services provided. If you have not provided any services to Spring ISD, please state so.

(Required: Maximum 2000 characters allowed)

Vendor Qualification (Hours of Operation)

What are your hours of operation?

Vendor Qualification (Local Representation)

Does your organization have an office and/or local representation within the Houston metropolitan area or another area near Spring Independent School District? Please describe.

Company Summary & Narrative

Responding proposers are required to provide a Company Summary & Narrative of the related work that your company has provided to other organizations that are similar in size to the School District. This narrative shall include the name, address, and contact information of the referred organization. Upload under "Response Attachments" tab.

FIRM BACKGROUND - Order Fulfillment & Distribution

Name the location of the facility that will receive, fulfill, and distribute our orders (CITY & STATE).

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 16 of 30 pages

FIRM BACKGROUND - Goods & Services

Briefly describe the category of all goods & services offered by your company.

FIRM BACKGROUND - Product Lines

Please name the product line brands offered through your firm.

Vendor Qualification (Proposal Deviations)

Suppliers must note any deviations to any part of this bid (i.e. product specifications, shipping/handling, etc.). By not referencing any deviations, the supplier accepts conformance to the specifications, terms, and conditions specified within this solicitation. Any deviation from any part of this bid must be noted in detail by the Supplier, in writing (as a separate file title "Deviations"), at the time of submittal of the formal bid.

If there are no deviations to note, please indicate "No Deviations".

Remittance Information (Payments)

Provide the following information for payment issuance.

Address:

City:

State:

Zip Code:

Country:

Phone Number:

Fax Number:

Email address:

Remittance Information (Company name)

Company name that will be shown on your invoice for payment.

(Required: Maximum 75 characters allowed)

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 17 of 30 pages

Remittance Information (Purchase Order)

Provide information where Purchase Orders (P.O.’s) are to be submitted for order processing:

Contact name:

Email address:

Phone number:

Reference Guidance

Please list references whom you have provided products/services to related to the scope of this solicitation.

*Note: Because Spring ISD’s relationship with a vendor may be a part of the evaluation criterion, Spring ISD can not be used as a reference in this section.

Reference 1 - Company Name

Company Name (1) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Reference 1 - Contact Person

Contact Person (1) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Reference 1 - Email Address

Contact Email Address (1) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

(Required: Email address)

Reference 1 – Telephone

Telephone # (1) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

(__ __ __) __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ ext:

(Required)

Reference 1 - Address

Address (1) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 18 of 30 pages

Reference 2 - Company Name

Company Name (2) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Reference 2 - Contact Person

Contact Person (2) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Reference 2 - Email Address

Contact Email Address (2) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

(Required: Email address)

Reference 2 – Telephone

Telephone # (2) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

(__ __ __) __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ ext:

(Required)

Reference 2 - Address

Address (2) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Reference 3 - Company Name

Company Name (3) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Reference 3 - Contact Person

Contact Person (3) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 19 of 30 pages

Reference 3 - Email Address

Contact Email Address (3) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

(Required: Email address)

Reference 3 – Telephone

Telephone # (3) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

(__ __ __) __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ ext:

(Required)

Reference 3 - Address

Address (3) of the customer for whom you have provided similar goods or services in the past three years.

Employment Practices

I affirm that, to the best of my knowledge the company I represent meets Equal Employment Opportunity Commission standards and American Disability Act standards in employment practices.

Please Select Yes No (Required: Check only one)

Conflict of Interest Questionnaire (Form CIQ)

Conflict of Interest: Disclosure of Certain Relationships with Local Government Officials.

Any individual or business entity that contracts or seeks to contract for the sale or purchase of property, goods, or services with Spring ISD must file a Vendor Conflict of Interest Questionnaire with the Spring SISD Purchasing Office in accordance with Texas Local Government Code Chapter 176, not later than the 7th business day after the recipient becomes aware of facts that require filing. This requirement applies to a person who is an agent of a Vendor in the Vendor's business with the District. Forms are also posted at the Texas Ethics Commission's website at https://www.ethics.state.tx.us/forms/conflict/ .

I understand and agree to this requirement.

(Required: Check if applicable)

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 20 of 30 pages http://

Felony Conviction Statement Notice

State of Texas Education Code, Section 44.034, Notification of Criminal History, Subsection (a), states “a person or business entity that enters into a contract with a school district must give advance notice to the district if the person or an owner or operator of the business entity has been convicted of a felony. The notice must include a general description of the conduct resulting in the conviction of a felony”. Subsection (b) states “a school district may terminate a contract with a person or business entity if the district determines that the person or business entity failed to give notice as required by Subsection (a) or misrepresented the conduct resulting in the conviction.

The district must compensate the person or business entity for services performed before the termination of the contract”. The vendor is to certify that the information concerning notification of felony convictions has been reviewed and the information furnished is true to the best of my knowledge.

THIS NOTICE IS NOT REQUIRED OF A PUBLICLY-HELD CORPORATION

Owner/operator has not been convicted of a felony

Owner/operator has been convicted of a felony

The company is a Publicly Held Corporation (Required: Check all that apply)

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 21 of 30 pages

Contractor Criminal History and Fingerprinting Certification

Background: Texas Education Code Chapter 22 requires entities that contract with school districts to obtain criminal history records on covered employees. Covered employees with disqualifying criminal histories are prohibited from serving at a school district. Contractors must certify to Spring ISD that they have complied and must obtain similar certifications from their subcontractors. See SB 9 Contractor Certification: Subcontractor attachment.

The law requires each contractor to obtain the criminal histories of its covered employees. For more information or to set up an account, a contractor should contact the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Crime Records Service at 512.424.2474.

Definitions:

Covered employees: Employees of a contractor who have or will have continuing duties related to the service to be performed at a school district and have or will have direct contact with students. Spring ISD will be the final arbiter of what constitutes continuing duties and direct contact with students.

Disqualifying criminal history: (1) a conviction or other criminal history information designated by Spring ISD; (2) a felony or misdemeanor offense that would prevent a person from being employed under Texas Education Code § 22.085(a), that is: if at the time of the offense, the victim was under 18 or was enrolled in a public school: (a) a felony offense under Title 5, Texas Penal Code; (b) an offense on conviction for which a defendant is required to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure; or (c) an offense under federal law or the laws of another state that is equivalent to (a) or (b).

On behalf of the company or organization I represent with this Solicitation response, I certify that

(MAKE SELECTION USING THE CHECKBOX BELOW):

1. None of the employees of Contractor's and any subcontractors are Covered Employees, as defined above. If this selection is made, I further certify that Contractor has taken precautions or imposed conditions to ensure that the employees of Contract and any subcontractor will not become Covered Employees.

Contractor will maintain these precautions or conditions throughout the time the contracted services are provided.

2. Some or all of the employees of Contractor's and subcontractors are Covered Employees. If this selection is made, I further certify that:

Contractor has obtained all required criminal history and fingerprinting record information, through the Texas Department of Public Safety, regarding its Covered Employees. None of the Covered Employees has a Disqualifying Criminal History.

If Contractor receives information that a covered employee subsequently has a reported Disqualifying Criminal History, Contract will immediately remove the Covered Employee from contract duties and notify the District in writing within three (3) business days.

Upon request, Contractor will provide the District with the name and any other requested information of Covered Employees so that the District may obtain criminal history record information on the Covered Employees.

If the District objects to the assignment of a Covered Employee on the basis of the Covered Employee's criminal history record information, Contractor agrees to discontinue using that Covered Employee to provide services to the District.

All Covered Employees hired after January 1, 2008 have completed the Fingerprinting Certification process prior to performing any duties related to the District or having any Direct Contact with students.

Non-compliance by Contractor with this Criminal History and Fingerprinting Certification may be grounds for contract termination and/or debarment. By completing this Attribute, Contractor certifies the accuracy of its content and to comply with it for all contracts and purchase orders (collectively "Agreements") with Spring ISD.

None of the employees are covered employees.

Some or all of the employees are covered..

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 22 of 30 pages

Contractor Criminal History and Fingerprinting Certification (cont.)

If some or all employees are Covered Employees, please answer per the following:

YES, I qualify as a care or care provider under the National Child Protection Act (NCPA).

YES, I am based in the State of Texas.

NO, one or neither of these apply.

None of employees are Covered Employees.

Please check all options that apply.

YES, I qualify as a care or care provider.

YES, I am based in the State of Texas.

NO, one or neither of these apply.

None of employees are Covered Employees.

Deadline: 6/13/2025 12:00 PM (CT) 25-013Page 23 of 30 pages

Federal Compliance Guidelines for the Use of Federal Funds (EDGAR)

The District has elected to solicit this invitation to bid under the requirements set forth by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 2 Grants and Agreements, Part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principals, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2…