1551-20260109113230 CSD

Columbia School District in Mississippi is seeking a qualified vendor for a comprehensive wireless access point replacement project funded through the E-Rate program for Fiscal Year 2026-27. The procurement involves furnishing, installing, and configuring Wi-Fi 7 indoor and outdoor access points across all E-Rate-eligible campuses, along with a Ruckus SmartZone controller or equivalent management platform. Deliverables include mounting hardware, accessories, new CAT6 cabling where required, comprehensive post-installation testing, and as-built documentation. Evaluation criteria are multifaceted, with pricing weighted at 25%, and additional points allocated for prior district experience (15%), personnel qualifications (10%), network management integration (15%), and ability to provide services without subcontractors (15%). Mandatory vendor site visits are scheduled for January 7 and January 27, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with proposals due February 10, 2026, at 10:00 AM. Vendors must submit one original and two copies via mail or Federal Express, accompanied by electronic copies on a jump drive. Key requirements include possessing a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) and providing a minimum five-year warranty on all new equipment.

Vendor participation is subject to specific restrictions, with a preference for Mississippi-based companies attending the site visit (10% evaluation points). Only new equipment will be considered, with no refurbished or gray-market items permitted. Vendors must submit at least three references from school districts and demonstrate capability to provide a complete turnkey solution. The contract is contingent upon E-Rate funding approval by USAC, with the potential for contract termination without penalty if funding is not appropriated. The district reserves the right to reject any or all proposals. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the project scope suggests a substantial investment in district-wide technology infrastructure, with the contract term beginning July 1, 2026, and project completion scheduled for June 30, 2027. Vendors must provide itemized costs per school building and grand totals for the entire district project in both PDF and Excel formats, indicating a comprehensive and detailed financial proposal is expected.