8001-20250213130402 mcsd

The Marion County School District in Mississippi has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for high-speed broadband services to connect schools within the district to each other and to the internet. The procurement is for a 3-year contract with two possible 1-year extensions, covering the period from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030. Proposers can submit bids for standalone internet service, standalone WAN service, or a bundled package of both services. Internet bandwidth options range from 1-10 Gbps, with WAN services requiring 10 Gbps connections to individual campuses and either a 40 Gbps or 100 Gbps connection at the central office. Proposals must be submitted by March 14, 2025, at 10:30 AM CDT, with proposal openings occurring immediately after. Site visits are mandatory for new bidders between February 13-28, 2025, with exceptions for C-Spire Fiber and Uniti Fiber due to previous walkthroughs. Service providers must maintain current USAC Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC) and Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN).

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Payment for the contract is contingent upon E-Rate subsidies, with the district filing for E-Rate reimbursement throughout the contract term. The service provider will be responsible for all permits, equipment, installation, and maintenance costs associated with the project. While specific incumbent vendors are not detailed beyond the mentioned C-Spire Fiber and Uniti Fiber, the RFP suggests potential for existing infrastructure that may require integration. The contract appears to be focused on modernizing and expanding broadband connectivity for the Marion County School District's educational facilities. Although a specific budget range is not provided in the available documentation, the comprehensive nature of the broadband and WAN services suggests a significant investment in technological infrastructure for the school district.