RFI 260000000020_OCTO Enhanced Cellular Systems.docx

Michigan.gov/MiProcurement response instructions Department of Technology, Management and Budget – The Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) Enhanced Cellular Systems Request for Information No. 260000000020 Solicitation Manager Name:Katie LaHaye Email: lahayek@michigan.gov Main Phone: 1-855-MI-PURCH 1-855-647-8724 This is a Request for Information (RFI) for:

Industry insight into Enhanced Cellular Solutions capable of amplifying existing outdoor cellular signals inside State used buildings RFI Timeline

This RFI is subject to change. Check www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS for current information.

1. CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE STATE. The sole point of contact for the State concerning this RFI is listed on the Cover Page. Contacting any other State personnel, agent, consultant, or representative about this RFI may result in vendor disqualification.

2. Reserve.

3. MODIFICATIONS. The State may modify this RFI at any time. Modifications will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. This is the only method by which the RFI may be modified.

4. QUESTIONS. Vendor questions about this RFI must be emailed on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS to the Solicitation Manager no later than the time and date specified on the Cover Page. In the interest of transparency, only written questions are accepted. Answers to questions will be posted on www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. Submit questions using the format below; a Microsoft Excel format or similar is suggested.

5. DELIVERY OF RESPONSE.

Electronic – The vendor must submit its response, all attachments, and any modifications or withdrawals electronically through www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS. The price response should be saved separately from all other response documents. The vendor should submit all documents in a modifiable (native) format (examples include but are not limited to Microsoft Word or Excel and Google Docs or Sheets). In addition to submitting documents in a modifiable format, the vendor may also submit copies of documents in PDF. Attachment file size is limited to 6 MB per document. Vendor’s failure to submit a response as required may result in disqualification. The response and attachments must be fully uploaded and submitted prior to the response deadline. Do not wait until the last minute to submit a response, as the SIGMA VSS system requires the creation of an account and entry of certain information, in addition to uploading and submitting the materials. The SIGMA VSS system will not allow a response to be submitted after the response deadline identified in the solicitation Closing On/Closing Date fields (Summary view/Detail view), even if a portion of the response has been uploaded.

Questions on how to submit information or how to navigate in the SIGMA VSS system can be answered by calling (517) 284-0540 or (888) 734-9749. The Solicitation Manager will not provide assistance related to the submittal of the response and all attachments on the day of the response deadline. Responsibility for a complete submission lies with the vendor. Note that all documents and information submitted in any manner as part of a response will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State.

6. ORAL PRESENTATION. The State reserves the right to invite some vendors for oral presentations.

7. GENERAL CONDITIONS. The State will not be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages incurred by a vendor participating in this RFI. This RFI is not an offer to enter into a contract. The vendor understands that their response will become public record immediately upon receipt by the State. Other than verified trade secrets, responses submitted via www.michigan.gov/SIGMAVSS are the State’s property.

8. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT FORM AND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. As a public record, all portions of the vendor’s response is subject to disclosure as required under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231, et seq. However, the State may exempt some information from disclosure as permitted by law. Under MCL 18.1261(13)(b), records containing “a trade secret as defined under section 2 of the uniform trade secrets act, 1998 PA 448, MCL 445.1902,” are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. In addition, “financial or proprietary information” submitted with a vendor’s response is exempt from disclosure under FOIA. A vendor’s failure to comply with this Section is grounds for rejecting a vendor’s response as non-responsive. As a part of its response, each vendor must follow the procedure below.

SUBMIT A COMPLETED “CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT FORM” (CT FORM) WITH YOUR SUBMISSION. Completion and submission of the CT Form is required regardless of whether the vendor seeks confidential treatment of information. Failure to submit a completed CT Form may be cause for disqualification from the solicitation process. If a vendor fails to properly complete and submit the CT Form or otherwise fails to follow CT Form instructions, the response may be publicly disclosed in its entirety without redaction after an award recommendation.

Complete and sign Section 1 of the CT Form if the vendor does NOT request confidential treatment of information contained in its response; or

i. Complete and sign Section 2 of the CT Form if the vendor requests confidential treatment of certain information. Vendor must also submit a “Public Copy” of the response with the trade secret, financial, and proprietary information redacted and clearly labeled as the “Public Copy.”

ii. Failure to complete and sign a CT Form may result in disqualification of the vendor. If a vendor fails to properly complete and submit the CT Form or otherwise fails to follow the CT Form instructions, the response, in its entirety, will be treated as a “Public Copy” and may be publicly disclosed by the State without redaction after vendors have been notified of an award recommendation.

b. FOIA REQUESTS. If a FOIA request is made for a vendor’s response, the Public Copy may be distributed to the public along with the vendor’s CT Form. The CT Form is a public document and serves as an explanation for the redactions to the Public Copy. Do not put any trade secret, financial, or proprietary information in the CT Form. Do not redact the CT Form itself.

c. NO ADVICE. The State will not advise a vendor as to the nature or content of documents entitled to protection from disclosure under FOIA or other laws, as to the interpretation of such laws, or as to the definition of trade secret or financial or proprietary information. Nothing contained in this provision will modify or amend requirements and obligations imposed on the State by FOIA or other applicable law.

d. FAILURE TO REQUEST CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. Failure to request material be treated as confidential as specified herein relieves the State, its agencies, and personnel from any responsibility for maintaining material in confidence.

e. Submissions containing a request to maintain an entire response as confidential may be rejected as non-responsive. Vendors may not request confidential treatment with respect to resumes, pricing, and marketing materials. The State reserves the right to determine whether material designated as exempt by a vendor falls under MCL 18.1261 or other applicable FOIA exemptions. If a FOIA request is made for materials that the vendor has identified as trade secret, financial, or proprietary information, the State has the final authority to determine whether the materials are exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

f. Vendor forever releases the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees from all claims, rights, actions, demands, damages, liabilities, expenses and fees, which arise out of or relate to the disclosure of all or a portion of vendor’s response submitted under this RFI. Vendor must defend, indemnify and hold the State, its departments, subdivisions, officers, and employees harmless, without limitation, from and against all actions, claims, losses, liabilities, damages, costs, attorney fees, and expenses (including those required to establish the right to indemnification), arising out of or relating to any FOIA request, including potential litigation and appeals, related to the portion of vendor’s response submitted under this RFI that vendor has identified as a trade secret, or financial or proprietary information. The State will notify vendor in writing if indemnification is sought. The State is entitled to: (i) regular updates on proceeding status; (ii) participate in the defense of the proceeding; (iii) employ its own counsel; and to (iv) retain control of the defense, or any portion thereof, if the State deems necessary. Vendor will not, without the State’s written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), settle, compromise, or consent to the entry of any judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any claim, action, or proceeding. If a State employee, official, or law is involved or challenged, the State may control the defense of that portion of the claim. Any litigation activity on behalf of the State, or any of its subdivisions under this Section, must be coordinated with the Department of Attorney General. An attorney designated to represent the State may not do so until approved by the Michigan Attorney General and appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General.

confidential treatment form INSTRUCTIONS. Vendor must complete either Section 1 or Section 2 of this CT Form and sign where indicated. Do not complete both sections. This CT Form must be signed by the individual who signed the vendor’s response. A completed CT Form must be submitted with your response, regardless of whether your response contains confidential information.

Failure to submit a completed CT Form with your submission is grounds for rejecting the response as non-responsive. If a vendor fails to properly complete and submit the CT Form or otherwise fails to follow CT Form Instructions, the response, in its entirety, will be treated as a “Public Copy” and may be publicly disclosed by the State without redaction after vendors have been notified of an award recommendation. See the Confidential Treatment Form and The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) sections of the Response Instructions for additional information.

Section 1. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS NOT REQUESTED This section must be completed, signed, and submitted with the response if the vendor does not request confidential treatment of any material contained in the response. If this section is completed, do not complete Section 2. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS REQUESTED.

By signing below, the vendor affirms that confidential treatment of material contained in their response is not requested.

RFI Number RFI Title

Signature Date

Printed Name, Title, Company

Section 2. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS REQUESTED This section must be completed, signed, and submitted with the response if vendor requests confidential treatment of any material contained in the response. Submission of a completed CT Form is required to request confidential treatment. If this section is completed, do not complete Section 1. CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS NOT REQUESTED.

Provide the information in the table below. Vendor may add rows or additional pages using the same format shown in the table. Vendor must specifically identify the information to be protected as confidential and state the reasons why protection is necessary.

The CT Form will not be considered fully complete unless, for each confidentiality request, the vendor: (1) identifies the Response Page #, Section #, and Paragraph #, (2) identifies whether the material is a Trade Secret (TS), Proprietary Financial Information (FI), or Proprietary Information (PI), and (3) explains the specific legal grounds that support treatment of the material as TS, FI, or PI. Vendors must provide a complete justification as to how the material falls within the scope of an applicable FOIA exemption or relevant case law. Vendors must not simply cite to an applicable exemption or case name. Vendors must also provide the contact information for the person at their organization authorized to respond to inquiries by the State concerning the material.

Vendor must also submit a “Public Copy” of the response with the trade secret, financial, and proprietary information redacted and clearly labeled as the “Public Copy”.

(1) Response Page #, Section #, Paragraph # (2) Material is Trade Secret (TS), Proprietary Financial Information (FI), Proprietary Information (PI) (3) Applicable FOIA Exemption with Written Justification (4) Vendor Contact Information

By signing below, the vendor affirms that confidential treatment of material contained in their response is requested and has attached to this form a redacted “Public Copy” of the vendor’s response.

RFI Number RFI Title

Signature Date

Printed Name, Title, Company

Vendor Questions Worksheet Provide a detailed response to each question. “You” and “company” refers to the Responder.

Contact Information

Company Background Information

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Enhanced Cellular Solutions

1. Introduction The State of Michigan, Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB), Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather industry insight into Enhanced Cellular Solutions capable of amplifying existing outdoor cellular signals inside State used buildings. This RFI is for information-gathering purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or offer to contract.

DTMB OCTO Networking Services seeks to better understand available technologies, service models, operational approaches, pricing methodologies, and future innovations that may support improved cellular reliability across State facilities, particularly those with insufficient carrier coverage.

As part of this RFI, respondents are required to complete the Excel spreadsheet titled “Supplier Capabilities – Vendor Question Set.” This spreadsheet contains structured questions and requests for submittal organized by category (Solution Overview, Technical, Security, Compliance, Service Model, Implementation, Cost, Value‑Added Options, and Additional Information). Vendors must use this spreadsheet to provide their detailed responses, ensuring consistency and completeness across submissions.

2. Background DTMB serves as the centralized information technology provider for eighteen State agencies located across Michigan’s lower and upper peninsulas. Several agency facilities experience limited or unreliable indoor cellular reception from one or more major carriers.

To support agency operations and improve communication reliability, DTMB OCTO Networking Services is evaluating supplier‑managed cellular enhancement solutions. These systems must strengthen indoor cellular coverage without interfacing with, relying on, or impacting the DTMB‑managed network infrastructure.

Agencies will independently procure a dedicated ISP connection for ingress/egress traffic of the cellular enhancement system. The State will not operate or support these cellular enhancement systems.

3. Purpose The purpose of this RFI is to collect information from qualified suppliers capable of delivering a fully managed, isolated, end‑to‑end enhanced cellular solution. DTMB intends to use this information to:

· Understand available technologies and market capabilities

· Identify feasible procurement and deployment approaches

· Assess pricing ranges and cost models

· Evaluate supplier experience within government environments

· Inform long‑term telecommunications strategy and innovation planning

4. DTMB Responsibilities DTMB OCTO Networking Services may assist by:

· Conducting a pre‑deployment site survey

· Verifying location suitability for the supplier‑installed lockable rack‑mount cabinet

DTMB will not support system operations, monitoring, physical maintenance, upgrades, or troubleshooting.

5. Technical Requirements Proposed solutions must meet or exceed the following minimum technical requirements:

· Support up to 4x4 MIMO

· Support all three major carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon)

· Dual-mode 4G/5G

· Multi-band FDD and TDD, multi-operator, multi-vendor support

· Internal built in omni-directional antennas

· 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Radio Access Technology (RAT) Types: LTE, NR

· Supported bands: B25, B66, B48, B77D, B41K, B78A, B78L, B78K, B79D, B1, B7, B38A

· Transmit power range: 23-26 dBm

· Instantaneous bandwidth: 25 (B38A), 40 (B1, B7), 65 (B25), 70 (B66), 200 (B77D), 150 (B48), 100 (B78A, K, D) MHz

· Multiple input multiple output (MIMO): 2x2, 4x4

· Modulation 256-QAM downlink and 256-QAM uplink

· RJ45 external interface

· PoE++ capable

· Must not interfere with DTMB or agency Wi‑Fi services All cabling and installation must comply with:

· POLICY 1345.00 Enterprise Information Technology Infrastructure

6. Supplier Capabilities Responders must provide a complete, closed‑loop system including:

· Lockable rack mount enclosure for indoor baseband unit and radio unit

· Inside wiring plant and components (ethernet cabling, patch panel, patch cables, ethernet jacks, etc.)

· Metallic conduit for inside wiring plant where required by local codes

· Indoor baseband unit

· Connection to the dedicated ISP

· Indoor radio unit(s)

· Radio nodes

· Full lifecycle management: design, installation, testing, operations, support

Solutions must be logically and physically isolated from DTMB networks.

7. Supplier Service Model Responders must provide details of their solutions service model, including but not limited to:

· End‑to‑end service delivery approach

· System monitoring, fault detection, and alerting

· Support tiers, hours, escalation structure

· Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

· Use of subcontractors and their responsibilities

8. Cost Options Responders are encouraged to include pricing methods and estimated costs such as:

· CapEx (equipment purchase) models

· OpEx (subscription/managed service) models

· Hybrid pricing options

· Per‑site and per‑node variations

· One‑time installation/testing fees

· Recurring support, licensing, monitoring, warranties

· Optional upgrades or enhanced service tiers

9. Value- Added Options Responders may include additional features and capabilities beyond minimum requirements, such as:

· Advanced analytics dashboards

· RF optimization tools

· Extended warranties

· Disaster recovery

· Enhanced security or isolation features

10. Best Practice Guidance Respondents are encouraged to provide insights and best practices relevant to deployment and long‑term operation, including:

· Recommended deployment strategies and scalability considerations

· Contracting or procurement efficiencies

· Supplier management approaches

· Planning and approval workflow improvements

· Statewide architectural considerations

· RF planning and optimal building layout practices

· Multi‑building or campus design/deployment recommendations

· Maintenance practices for long‑term system sustainability

· Methods to minimize operational and cost burdens on agencies

11. Additional Information Respondents should provide information regarding available products and services, deployment models, support capabilities, pricing methodologies, contract structures, implementation approaches, and relevant experience serving state governments, local governments, educational institutions, and other public-sector organizations.

Information collected through this RFI will be used to assess market capabilities, identify potential procurement approaches, evaluate emerging technologies, and support the State's long-term telecommunications and connectivity strategy.

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