Door Access Control System Watervliet Public Schools

Watervliet Public Schools, located in Berrien County, Michigan, is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a cloud-based door access control system to be deployed across three campus buildings: South Elementary School, North Elementary School, and Watervliet High School/Middle School. The procurement encompasses the purchase, installation, and configuration of cloud-managed access controllers, door readers, low-voltage cabling, installation labor, commissioning, and a 10-year software license with unlimited administrator and user accounts covering the cloud management platform. The system must support flexible deployment with 1-door, 4-door, and 16-door controller form factors, with exact quantities to be determined during a mandatory pre-bid site walk scheduled for March 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM. Vendors must provide detailed pricing structured by equipment type, cabling runs, labor, and licensing costs, with all pricing remaining firm for 90 days from the proposal due date. The RFP evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: total cost of ownership over 10 years (25%), technical capability and platform requirements (25%), K-12 school district experience and references (15%), installation timeline and minimal disruption (15%), warranty and ongoing support (10%), and compliance with RFP requirements (10%). Vendors must submit written questions by April 10, 2026, and sealed proposals are due by April 17, 2026 at 2:00 PM EST. All hardware must include an industry-leading warranty of no less than 10 years on controllers and readers, and vendors must demonstrate certification as authorized dealers and installers with minimum three K-12 school district references.

Respondents must maintain general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000, workers' compensation insurance, and automobile liability coverage throughout the project duration. All contractor and subcontractor personnel must pass criminal background checks prior to commencing work, with background check costs borne by the vendor. The project is subject to Michigan Prevailing Wages on State Projects Act compliance, requiring adherence to Berrien County prevailing wage rates in effect at contract execution. The District reserves the right to award by individual building, by line item, or as a complete package. No specific disadvantaged enterprise set-asides or restrictions are noted in the procurement documents, and no incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified. The procurement does not specify a particular budget range or award value; however, the 10-year contract term for software licensing, combined with hardware procurement and installation labor across three buildings, suggests a significant capital investment.