26-020 erate RFP cabling

The Houston County School District in Georgia is requesting proposals through E-Rate RFP 26-020 to upgrade network cabling infrastructure at two instructional facilities: David A. Perdue Primary School and Lake Joy Primary School. The procurement encompasses upgrading existing Category 5 cabling to Category 6a Ethernet cabling with 10 gigabit fiber backbone support, including installation of 360 new drops and removal of 610 old data drops at Perdue Primary, and 320 new drops with removal of 555 old data drops at Lake Joy Primary, totaling 680 new installations and 1,165 removal locations district-wide. All equipment and materials must be new and comply with EIA/TIA 568 approved components and EIA/TIA 569 installation practices, with the cabling system capable of supporting minimum one gigabyte network applications. Vendor-supplied deliverables include Cat 6a patch cords with snagless boots in T568B format, vendor-built racks using existing onsite electronics, removal of legacy cabling, and repairs to any fixtures or materials damaged during installation, with work eligible to commence July 1, 2026, and completion scheduled during the 2026-2027 school year. The RFP was released on January 9, 2026, with proposals due February 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, and the apparent contract award targeted for March 10, 2026. Evaluation criteria include price, RFP requirements compliance, functionality, and vendor history, with vendors required to demonstrate comprehensive insurance coverage including workers' compensation at statutory limits, general liability and property damage of $500,000 per occurrence/$1,000,000 aggregate, and automobile liability of $500,000 per occurrence, as well as E-Verify registration and SPIN certification confirming registered service provider status and non-debarred status.

The RFP contains no disclosed set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to specific organization types. AiOS was selected as the award winner with a total evaluation score of 99.50 and submitted the lowest eligible price of $136,983.00, demonstrating previous experience with the District through $5,359,045.29 in authorized disbursements on prior E-Rate funded projects from 2020-2024. The contract term is one year or less from award through the end of the calendar year, with automatic renewal for up to two additional years (24 months total) unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal. The District is funded through the federal E-Rate program for this infrastructure improvement project, and all proposal costs are the vendor's sole responsibility. The successful vendor must assume full responsibility for all project-related damages and repairs to building finishes, ceiling tiles, and other fixtures, with the District bearing no responsibility for replacement materials or repair costs resulting from vendor activities. Work may be performed during nights and weekends, with students and staff having limited presence during summer months, environmental controls reduced during evening hours, and security alarms deactivated for night shifts.