RFP_32701-04678_AMD_3.pdf

This is Amendment #3 to Request for Proposals #32701-04678 issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for a Wireless-as-a-Service provider to deliver comprehensive wireless connectivity across eleven Tennessee State Parks. The RFP seeks end-to-end network services including site surveys, network design, equipment installation, network management dashboards, 24/7 technical support, and guest internet access for parks including Fall Creek Falls, Chickasaw, Cumberland Mountain, Harrison Bay, Henry Horton, Montgomery Bell, Panther Creek, Roan Mountain, Tims Ford, Rock Island, and Cedars of Lebanon. The amendment updates the RFP schedule of events with revised dates for key milestones. The pre-response conference was held October 28, 2025, with a Notice of Intent to Respond deadline of October 29, 2025. Written questions and comments deadlines are November 4, 2025, with state responses on January 13, 2026, followed by a second round deadline of January 23, 2026 and state response on February 11, 2026. The technical response deadline is February 25, 2026, with state completion of evaluations by March 17, 2026. Mandatory site visits for qualified respondents are scheduled for March 27, 2026, and the cost proposal submission deadline is March 31, 2026. The state will open and score cost proposals on April 1, 2026, with optional negotiations April 6-8, 2026. The Notice of Intent to Award will be released 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 RFP evaluation criteria allocate 10 points for general qualifications, 60 points for technical qualifications and approach, and 30 points for cost proposal, with only the top three technically-scored respondents invited to submit cost proposals. The contract includes an initial 60-month term from April 24, 2026, through April 24, 2031, with two optional 30-month renewal periods not exceeding 120 months total. The RFP explicitly welcomes responses from minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and small business enterprises. Respondents must hold valid Tennessee Electrician and Contractor licenses and maintain specified insurance coverage. The contract includes a maximum liability cap of $10 million with a required performance bond of $5 million. Proposals must be submitted digitally to Kyle Villagomez at the Central Procurement Office in Nashville and must include comprehensive network infrastructure with Wi-Fi 7 technology, all fiber and power installation, trenching, pole placement, permitting, and utility coordination. 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, annual penetration testing, and $10 million in cyber liability insurance.