FC0002515 – CIENA On-Net Equipment for DHS KN306 – 350 High St

The State of Maryland, through the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) on behalf of the Department of Health Services (DHS), is soliciting proposals for the procurement and installation of CIENA on-net equipment at the DHS facility located at 350 High Street in Howard County, Maryland. This Request for Proposal (RFP), identified as contract opportunity FC0002515, seeks qualified vendors to supply and install telecommunications and networking equipment necessary to establish on-net connectivity and support network infrastructure modernization at the specified facility. The procurement includes CIENA-brand equipment components as detailed in the Bill of Materials (BOM), which establishes the technical specifications and quantities required for system implementation. Deliverables encompass the supply, delivery, and installation of all specified networking hardware with compatibility requirements ensuring integration with Maryland DHHS technical standards and network architecture. Bidders must demonstrate capability to meet detailed equipment specifications, installation requirements, and compliance with state procurement regulations. The RFP was posted on May 20, 2026, with a proposal submission deadline of June 2, 2026.

The procurement may include set-asides or priority consideration for Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) in accordance with Maryland state procurement regulations, though specific designations and requirements should be verified in the full RFP documentation. All bidders must comply with environmental requirements, including the Mercury Affidavit certification confirming that supplied equipment meets mercury content restrictions and environmental protection standards. The contract award and pricing structure will be determined based on vendor quotes for the specified CIENA equipment and associated installation services, with detailed pricing terms, payment schedules, and any volume discounts outlined in the RFP documentation. The funding for this project is derived from the DHS operating budget allocated to facility improvements and network infrastructure upgrades. While specific budget ranges or award values are not explicitly stated in the available documentation, the scope of work involving equipment procurement, delivery, and professional installation services suggests a substantial capital project. No incumbent vendors or existing contractor information is identified in the provided materials, though bidders should review the complete RFP for any baseline infrastructure requirements or technical integration parameters applicable to the KN306 facility.