2026-0003 e-Rate Leased Lit Fiber Solution (Managed WAN)

Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) in Georgia is seeking a comprehensive managed Wide Area Network (WAN) solution through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a leased lit fiber network serving approximately 23 school locations. The procurement seeks a fully managed service that includes network infrastructure, implementation planning, connectivity, network hardware, and network monitoring capabilities. Qualified firms must be FCC-regulated telecommunications providers with a valid Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) and current Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC). The RFP requires detailed technical proposals addressing network architecture, with key submission dates including January 26, 2026 for written questions, February 13, 2026 for proposal submissions, and an anticipated contract award on March 2, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated using a weighted scoring system: Price (45 points), Technical Merit (25 points), Support and Service Level Agreement (10 points), Business Stability (15 points), and Local or In-State Preference (5 points).

The contract will have a five-year term with four optional one-year renewal periods, commencing service implementation on July 1, 2026. Offerors must provide Professional Liability Insurance of $5,000,000 with an AM Best Rating of A, VII, and no subcontractors are permitted under the contract. The procurement is an E-Rate program compliant contract, with RCPS exempt from state sales tax and federal excise tax, and all installation charges must be completely waived by the vendor. Bandwidth requirements range from 10 Gbps to 30 Gbps at the data center with corresponding incremental options for remote sites. While this is a Requirements Contract with no guaranteed purchase amounts, the complexity of the network infrastructure and strict compliance requirements suggest a potentially significant contract value. The geographic scope includes Spalding County, Georgia, and the contract is subject to final approvals from the school district's Board and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).