RFP_32701-04678_AMD_2.pdf

This is Amendment #2 to Request for Proposals #32701-04678 issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation seeking a Wireless-as-a-Service (WaaS) provider to deliver comprehensive wireless connectivity across eleven state parks. The services include site surveys, network design, equipment installation, network management dashboards, 24/7 technical support, and guest internet access. The amendment updates the RFP schedule of events with revised dates for all procurement milestones. Key dates include a pre-response conference on October 28, 2025, a Notice of Intent to Respond deadline of October 29, 2025, and written questions deadline of November 4, 2025. Technical responses are due February 20, 2026, with state completion of technical evaluations by March 17, 2026. Mandatory site visits for qualified respondents are scheduled for March 27, 2026, followed by a cost proposal submission deadline of March 31, 2026. The state will open and score cost proposals on April 1, 2026, with optional negotiations occurring April 6-8, 2026. The state will release its Notice of Intent to Award on April 9, 2026, with the protest period ending April 16, 2026. The contractor signature deadline is April 24, 2026, and the performance bond deadline is April 30, 2026. The contract will have an initial 60-month term beginning April 24, 2026, with two optional 30-month renewal periods, not exceeding 120 months total.

The amendment specifies that all revisions are effective upon release, and all other RFP terms and conditions remain in full force and effect. Evaluation criteria consist of general qualifications (10 points), technical qualifications and approach (60 points), and cost proposal (30 points), with only the top three technically-scored respondents advancing to submit cost proposals. Respondents must hold valid Tennessee Electrician and Contractor licenses and maintain specified insurance coverage, including $10 million in cyber liability insurance. A performance bond of $5 million is required, structured as either a comprehensive bond or annual renewals. The RFP welcomes responses from minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Pricing must accommodate seasonal rate adjustments and allow for per-site or per-facility expansion, submitted as a complete, all-inclusive proposal covering equipment installation, maintenance, network upgrades, user support, and management services. Vendors must demonstrate robust business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities with 120-hour Recovery Point Objectives and 48-hour Recovery Time Objectives, along with SOC 2 Type 2 annual compliance audits and annual penetration testing.