Network Switches 10-30-2024.pdf

Sparta Area Schools

Request for Proposal

Allowable contract date: December 2, 2024

465 S Union St

Sparta, MI 49345

Contact person: Ryan Kelley, Technology; Kristin Melvin, Director of Finance &

Operations Proposals Due December 2, 2024 by 10:00am

Email: ryan.kelley@Spartaschools.org; kristin.melvin@spartaschools.org ;

missy@elitefund.com

Important Notes

• Please email all quotations to the above email addresses clearly marked "E-rate bid."

• All quotes must be submitted with the understanding that implementation may be dependent upon:

o E-rate funding approval by the SLD o Enrollments o Existing budgetary requirements

• The following specifications are to be used as guidelines in quoting a solution. Although specification changes are permitted, the quality of the product/service requested must be based upon industry standards at time of delivery.

• The items requested within this RFP may or may not be USF eligible. All non-eligible products and services must be itemized. Please use the 2025 USF Eligible Services List located on the USAC website (http://www.usac.org/sl/) for guidance. (Note: It is the vendor's responsibility to check for updates and corrections prior to submitting bids/quotations.)

• All bidders must adhere to the Lowest Corresponding Price (LCP) guidelines (as dictated by the SLD).

• All bidders will understand that if the entity closes, contract termination fees will not be incurred by the entity.

• Offerors submitting proposals for anything other than a firm fixed price for the goods and services listed, will not be accepted. Price adjustments after an award will not be accepted by applicant.

• All bidders will understand that the entity may choose more than one provider for one type of service.

• Multi-year contracts may be considered.

• All bidders must have an E-rate SPIN.

• All bidders must have the 2025 Service Provider Annual Certification Form 473 on file with USAC by September 1, 2025.

• The district reserves the right to accept or reject any or all quotations.

• Implementation and completion of the services are contingent upon the district receiving approved funding from the Universal Services Fund. The services may be revised or terminated if the funds from the USF discount program are not approved or do not meet mailto:ryan.kelley@Spartaschools.org mailto:kristin.melvin@spartaschools.org mailto:missy@elitefund.com http://www.usac.org/sl/ the expectations of the entity. If requested, the vendor will complete the SPI (Form 474) application. It is the vendor’s responsibility to understand and comply with all rules and procedures required by the Schools and Libraries Corporation and the Universal Services Fund.

• The Board reserves the right to:

o Reject any or all bids without assigning any reason thereto o Be the sole judge of equivalency o Waive any bid requirement in accepting or rejecting bids.

Bid Evaluation

Although the cost of the product/service is of primary concern, the ability to accommodate growth and change and the total cost of operation (TCO) within the district are, in many ways, more important. Do not assume the lowest bid will be awarded the project.

To achieve this goal, bids will be evaluated on several factors.

• Prices/charges

• Prior experience

• Understanding of needs

• Financial stability

• Personnel qualifications

• Comply with the spirit of the district's long range technology plan

• Compatibility with district hardware/software standards as set forth within district's long range technology plan

• Provide lower long-term cost of ownership

• Ability to upgrade and adapt to technological advances

• Completeness of response and adherence to bid specifications

• Summary of project implementation plan

• Capability of the bidder to successfully complete the installation within the required timeframe

Category 1 Services

NOTE: Any additional services not covered by USF eligibility must be itemized and quoted separately.

• Core switches and associated parts (bidding out under C1 and C2 but intend to apply under C1) o Approximately 2 Cisco C9500-24Y4C-EDU or equivalent needed

▪ We are seeking to implement ‘high availability’ with the Core Switches.

This includes 2 passive direct-attach cables at 100 Gbps, and 1 additional passive direct-attach cable at 10 Gbps or equivalent needed.

▪ We are seeking a minimum of 2 fiber links from the Core pair to every building MDF, with at least 10 Gbps per link (All locations currently have only one link).

o Include all licensing (5-year preferred), power supply, cables, optics o Maintenance o Installation and configuration

Category 2 Services

NOTE: Any additional services not covered by USF eligibility must be itemized and quoted separately.

Proposals Due December 2, 2024 by 10:00am

• Core switches and associated parts (bidding out under C1 and C2 but intend to apply under C1) o Approximately 2 Cisco C9500-24Y4C-EDU or equivalent needed

▪ We are seeking to implement ‘high availability’ with the Core Switches.

This includes 2 passive direct-attach cables at 100 Gbps, and 1 additional passive direct-attach cable at 10 Gbps or equivalent needed.

▪ We are seeking a minimum of 2 fiber links from the Core pair to every building MDF, with at least 10 Gbps per link (All locations currently have only one link).

o Include all licensing (5-year preferred), power supply, cables, optics o Maintenance o Installation and configuration

• Switches and associated parts

• Switch stacks:

o High power UPoE switch with mGig connectivity– Every MDF and IDF switch stack needs a minimum of one UPoE switch with no less than 1000W of available PoE. We are seeking all wireless access points to be patched into an mGig capable port on the UPoE switch, which may require some cable rearrangement.

o All remaining switches in the stack should provide a minimum of gigabit connectivity, and all PoE+ ports.

o We are also seeking power stacking for every switch stack.

o Approximately 4 Cisco C9300X-12Y-EDU or equivalent needed

▪ Fiber switch (12Y) – To be used as a layer 3 routing switch for the building, with a minimum of two 10G fiber links to the district Core pair, and at least one 10G link to the building MDF stack and IDF stacks.

o Approximately 18 Cisco C9300-48UN-EDU (2200WAC) or equivalent needed o Approximately 30 Cisco C9300-48P-EDU or equivalent needed o Approximately 16 Cisco C9300-24P-EDU or equivalent needed o Alternate bid is requested for a 24 port switch that meets or exceeds a

Cisco C9300-24P_EDU with UPoE (60W per port) or equivalent o Include all licensing, power supply, cables, optics o Maintenance o Installation and configuration

• Fiber cabling and associated parts o Install Six Strand SM Fiber from the MDF to Two IDFs at ECC o Install Six Strand SM Fiber from MDF to IDF at High school o Run, Splice, and Test Fiber o Provide and Install Cabling Hardware as Needed.

▪ The use of a Single-Man Lift is Available o See maps provided