016-PUR-2026 Category 1 Network Electronics

The Dougherty County School System (DCSS) in Albany, Georgia is soliciting sealed proposals for Category 1 network electronics, specifically optical transceivers for the district's site core switches that service Wide Area Network (WAN) circuits at remote school locations. The primary deliverable is 25 Gigabits per second (Gbps) Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) transceivers, with the specification identifying Cisco SFP-25G-ER-I modules with LC connectors rated for 40-kilometer range as the strongly preferred option. Bids must exclude installation or configuration services and include firm pricing for the contract period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with delivery on an FOB destination basis. Sealed proposals are due by January 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Logistical Services office located at 601 Flint Avenue, Albany, Georgia 31701. Interested parties must submit written questions by 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 15, 2026, via email to purchasing@docoschools.org. Registered DCSS vendors may submit proposals electronically through the bid portal; all other proposals must be mailed or hand-delivered. Required submission documentation includes one original, one copy, and one electronic copy on thumb drive, along with debarment certifications, non-collusion certifications, vendor information forms, Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act affidavits, and a standardized quote form completed without alteration. The district will heavily weight Cisco-branded products in evaluation, though E-Rate rules permit consideration of Cisco-compatible Quick Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP) transceivers as alternatives.

While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are detailed in the available procurement documents, all vendors must provide a valid FCC Service Provider ID Number (SPIN) as a condition of bid acceptance. The procurement indicates that DCSS has existing support contracts with Cisco, requiring any alternative manufacturers to demonstrate that their equipment provides equivalent or superior capabilities compared to the specified Cisco transceiver. The final purchase is contingent upon the district securing supportive funding from the Federal Universal Service Fund (E-Rate program), which may impact award timing and quantities. No incumbent vendor information or budget range is specified in the procurement materials. Delivery costs, including freight and drayage, are the responsibility of the selected vendor, and all pricing must remain firm for the contract period unless covered by an escalation clause, with unit prices prevailing in case of conflicts with total prices.