Internet Services

Mesa County Valley School District 51 is conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP) 2526 012 for dedicated Internet access services to support its schools and administrative facilities in Grand Junction, Colorado. The district seeks a high-capacity internet connection with specific technical requirements, including a 10 Gbps symmetrical internet connection with options to increase bandwidth, no data caps, a /25 or /24 public IP address allocation, and a minimum 99.95% uptime guarantee with a 4-hour response time for network outages. Vendors must be registered with the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) and comply with E-Rate program guidelines. The proposal evaluation will be weighted across multiple criteria: price (50%), support model and customer service (25%), technical ability (10%), prior experience (5%), implementation plan (5%), and security and filtering (5%). Potential providers must have at least two years of experience providing dedicated internet access to K-12 school districts, operate a 24/7 Network Operations Center, provide remote support, and submit three references. The RFP was released on October 10, 2025, with proposals due by November 11, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. Mountain Time, and the district is seeking a four-year contract term.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The district reserves the right to select the proposal that best meets its needs and may adjust internet bandwidth during the contract without penalty. While no incumbent vendors are specifically identified, the procurement is contingent upon E-Rate program funding, which may impact the potential award value. The contract will require the selected Internet Service Provider to manage all connectivity from their network to the district's Admin Service Center. Although precise budget ranges are not disclosed, the comprehensive technical requirements and extensive evaluation criteria suggest the district is seeking a robust and comprehensive internet service solution. The procurement appears designed to ensure a strategic, long-term partnership that can support the district's technological infrastructure and educational technology needs through a reliable and scalable internet connection.