1491-20251210151557 lbsd

The Long Beach School District (LBSD) in Harrison County, Mississippi, is seeking unpriced proposals for a comprehensive managed firewall and wireless access point solution through a two-phase competitive procurement process. The project involves acquiring, installing, and configuring 209 new network devices, specifically 4 FortiGate firewalls (201G/601F or equivalent) capable of handling over 1,000 concurrent devices and 205 Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) dual-radio access points with Power over Ethernet Plus capabilities across five school locations. The procurement will follow a unique evaluation process with weighted criteria: eligible price (26%), service provision without subcontractors (24%), Mississippi-based company preference (20%), ineligible items cost (15%), and installation deadline (15%). Key dates include a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on December 19, 2025, at LBSD Central Services, with unpriced technical proposals due by January 7, 2026, at 12:00 PM CST through the LBSD bid portal. A subsequent online reverse auction is scheduled for January 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM CST via PH Bidding Group's platform, with the winning vendor expected to provide a finalized contract by January 9, 2026.

The procurement is contingent upon E-Rate funding approval, with the contract becoming null and void if funding is not secured. Vendors must maintain active FCC compliance, possess valid Service Provider Identification Numbers (SPIN), and submit comprehensive technical proposals including company experience, references, product specifications, and warranty information. The project has specific restrictions, including a preference for Mississippi-based companies and a requirement that all equipment be new and factory-sealed. Vendors must also agree to a 4% transaction fee to PH Bidding Group based on the final awarded contract price. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned, the procurement includes provisions that could favor local Mississippi businesses. The initial contract term will commence upon agreement signature for one year, with potential extensions subject to service delivery approvals. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project involving 209 network devices suggests a significant investment in technology infrastructure for the Long Beach School District.