2026 SSD E-Rate Cat 2

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing, conducting procurement on behalf of Sevier School District, is soliciting bids for E-Rate Category 2 networking and infrastructure equipment and services through Request for Proposal 2026 SSD E-Rate Cat 2, with proposals due by end of business day March 21, 2026. The procurement encompasses seventeen line items of Fortinet networking equipment including FortiGate 900G firewalls, FortiAP access points (models U431F, 431G, U422EV, and 441K), FortiSwitch models (448E, 624F-FPOE, and 648F-FPOE), SFP+ transceiver modules, and APC Smart-UPS battery backup systems (models SMT3000RM2UNC and SMT2200RM2UNC), with estimated quantities ranging from 2 to 147 units per item, along with associated one-year FortiCare Premium Support contracts. All products must be new (not remanufactured) and delivered FOB Destination to Sevier School District at 1636 North SR 118, Richfield, Utah 84701. Vendors must be registered E-Rate Service Providers with current USAC Form 473 Service Provider Annual Certifications and must provide their SPIN numbers with bids; bidders may propose functionally equivalent products if detailed specifications in PDF format are submitted demonstrating compatibility with existing equipment, and bid prices must remain valid for next-generation products if current models are discontinued. The evaluation process employs a structured scoresheet with 55 technical evaluation points distributed across four criteria (weighted 36.4%, 27.3%, 18.2%, and 18.2% respectively) using a zero-to-five scale, requiring a minimum threshold of 33 technical points (60%) for responsiveness, combined with 55 cost evaluation points where the lowest-cost responsive vendor receives 100 percent of cost points and all other proposals receive proportional points, with proposals exceeding 200 percent of the lowest bid receiving zero points, for a total of 110 possible evaluation points, and the responsive and responsible vendor with the highest combined score will receive award.

Vendors with outstanding tax liens in Utah are ineligible to submit bids, and all vendors must certify compliance with anti-boycott provisions under Utah Code Annotated 63G-27 and confirm they are not providing forced labor products or sourcing technology from restricted foreign entities under UCA 63G-6a-121. Mandatory requirements include vendor registration as E-Rate Service Providers, submission of exact product specifications, preference for local or in-state vendors, and demonstrated prior experience with the vendor. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are identified in the solicitation documents, and no incumbent vendors or current contractor information is provided; however, the procurement does require integration with existing Sevier School District Fortinet networking infrastructure. The solicitation does not specify a total budget or award value; pricing proposals will be evaluated comparatively against the lowest submitted bid through the cost evaluation formula outlined in the scoresheet. Vendors must submit responses electronically through the Utah Public Procurement Place at https://purchasing.utah.gov/purchasing/for-vendors-purchasing/, and any questions or requests for exceptions to standard terms and conditions must be submitted during the Question and Answer period in Microsoft Word format with redline edits, with the State reserving the right to conduct background checks on vendor personnel, require product samples at no cost, and conduct discussions with vendors reasonably susceptible of award selection followed by best and final offer opportunities.