26-004 ERATE Email Security Solution_RFP

The Bibb County School District in Georgia is issuing Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 26-004 for a comprehensive Email Security Solution, specifically targeting 31,000 user mailboxes across 42 physical locations. The procurement seeks a cloud-native email security platform with advanced capabilities, including API integration for Microsoft 365, inbound email attack prevention, account takeover detection, AI-powered analysis, and real-time threat detection. The solution must provide comprehensive protection for 22,000 student and 9,000 staff email accounts, with mandatory scanning of internal emails and a sandbox solution for external emails to protect against zero-day attacks. The RFP will be evaluated on a 600-point scale, with points allocated across responsive/scheduling (100 points), company overview (50 points), cost (300 points), and E-rate experience (150 points). The proposal is due on August 22, 2025, at 8 AM EST, with the contract term set for one year and four potential renewal options, funded through E-rate and grant funds.

The RFP encourages participation from minority and small businesses, with vendors invited to submit relevant information demonstrating their qualifications. The district requires vendors to comply with FCC and USAC guidelines, Davis Bacon Requirements, and provide proof of insurance within 15 days of notification. Existing infrastructure includes a WAN with 10Gb fiber links, Cisco networking, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and diverse operating systems including Windows Server, Linux Server, Windows 11, MacOS, iOS, and ChromeOS. The current email security environment utilizes Microsoft Defender, and the district seeks a solution that can integrate with ServiceNow ticketing and Sentinel SIEM/SOAR tools. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project, covering 35,000 total endpoints and a sophisticated email security platform, suggests a significant investment. The district reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and will use the final bid as the Best and Final Offer from each respondent.