District-Wide Wireless Access Point Replacement Project

Marion County Public Schools (MCPS) in Florida is conducting a District-Wide Wireless Access Point Replacement Project through Bid #4114GM, seeking to procure and install 2,390 new Cisco Meraki MR-46 wireless access points or equivalent devices across 41 school locations. The procurement requires wireless access points with specific technical capabilities, including 4x4:4 MU-MIMO 802.11ax, 2.98 Gbps dual-radio aggregate frame rate, integrated Bluetooth Low Energy beacon, and a 2.5 Gbps multigigabit Ethernet port. Bidders must be authorized resellers and provide a five-year enterprise license for each access point, with installation to be completed by October 2025, working after school hours (Monday through Friday, no later than 11:00 PM). Key evaluation criteria include price, specification compliance, past performance, management capabilities, customer references, service quality, and professional credentials. The bid was initially posted on January 10, 2025, with question deadlines adjusted to January 20, 2025, and the final bid submission deadline extended to February 19, 2025, at 4:00 PM, with board review scheduled for March 11, 2025.

The procurement does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. The project will be funded through the E-rate program, requiring vendors to comply with Universal Service Fund regulations and maintain documentation for ten years. The total budgeted resources for this technology project are $650,000.00, with bid proposals ranging from $1,125.00 to $1,879.47 per wireless access point. World Wide Technology LLC was ultimately awarded the contract on March 11, 2025, at a per-unit price of $1,138.63 with an installation cost of $78.89 per unit. The successful vendor must ensure all on-site personnel comply with the Jessica Lunsford Act and meet Florida Statute background screening requirements. The project requires seamless integration with the district's existing wireless infrastructure, with new access points to be installed in the exact locations of current equipment, utilizing existing power and network cables. Vendors must provide comprehensive documentation, including manufacturer authorization letters, W-9 forms, and proof of insurance.