Firewall Content Filters

The Cobb County School District (CCSD) is soliciting bids for Invitation for Bid (IFB) B26051, seeking qualified vendors to provide comprehensive firewall content filtering technology. This E-Rate-funded procurement focuses on acquiring network security infrastructure, specifically FortiGate hardware models (3801G, 3501F, 3201F) with associated support and protection packages. The district requires vendors to provide unified threat protection, intrusion prevention, anti-virus/malware protection, application control, web filtering, and VPN services. Vendors must be existing E-Rate approved vendors in good standing with the FCC, possessing a current Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). Key procurement dates include written questions due by November 13, 2025, and bid responses required by December 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time, with a contract start date of April 1, 2026. Evaluation criteria will likely include technical capabilities, E-Rate compliance, pricing, support services, and comprehensive insurance coverage.

The solicitation appears open to all qualified vendors without specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must complete extensive compliance documentation, including forms related to immigration, lobbying, and debarment, and provide a comprehensive vendor questionnaire. The district reserves the right to award to multiple vendors on an as-needed basis, with no guaranteed minimum purchase quantities. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the bid covers hardware, support extensions, configuration conversion services, and various network transceivers with options for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year term support packages. Pricing must remain firm for one year from the award date, with potential renewal options. The procurement potentially allows for extension of pricing and terms to metro-Atlanta area counties, cities, and other government agencies, which could expand the overall contract value beyond the initial CCSD deployment.