Harlandale ISD Dark Fiber Lease (E-Rate)

Harlandale Independent School District (HISD) in Bexar County, Texas, is soliciting proposals for a Wide Area Network Upgrade with Dark Fiber Lease covering 29 circuits to support its existing network infrastructure. The procurement seeks a vendor to lease, maintain, and support dark fiber networks that will provide data and VoIP connectivity across approximately 11,100 students and various district facilities, including two high schools, one STEM Early College High School, one alternative academy, four middle schools, nine elementary schools, and administrative support locations. Vendors must provide transmission speeds of 10 Gbps and higher, handle all outside plant maintenance activities such as fiber repairs, splicing, locates, and restoration, and meet specified Mean Time to Repair targets. The evaluation criteria will allocate points across several key areas: 30 points for price, 15 points for vendor reputation and value characteristics, 15 points for quality of service, 10 points for meeting applicant needs, 10 points for long-term cost, 10 points for historically underutilized business compliance, and 5 points for other costs. Key deadlines include a vendor question deadline of January 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM (CT), with proposal submissions required through the Bonfire Portal by February 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM (CT).

The contract includes provisions for historically underutilized businesses and is subject to E-Rate funding approval, with all proposed services requiring E-Rate discount eligibility. The contract term runs from April 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, with two optional one-year renewal periods contingent on funding availability and E-Rate approval. HISD is a tax-exempt entity and will not accept proposals including sales tax, with invoicing required in arrears using a District-issued Purchase Order number. E-Rate discounts will apply to special construction charges in the first year, and vendors must provide an installment plan for the non-discount share payable over three years if special construction charges are proposed. The District reserves the right to make multiple contract awards, reject any or all proposals, and terminate contracts for non-appropriation of funds or convenience, with compensation only for work accepted through the termination date. Prevailing wage standards consistent with Bexar County requirements will apply to construction activities. While no specific budget range is mentioned, billing for maintenance services will be based on actual work performed, with hourly rates or flat fees submitted to USAC for reimbursement.