MET 2 CY25 Metro Ethernet Transport Service (IFB)

The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) is seeking bids for a Metro Ethernet Transport Service contract to establish fiber-based point-to-point network connectivity across various state agency locations, with bandwidth requirements ranging from 20MB to 1GB. The solicitation, identified as Bid Buy #25-448DOIT-TELEC-B-47725, covers multiple jurisdictions including Dekalb County and other sites throughout Illinois, targeting wide area network (WAN) connections between state facilities and Illinois Century Network (ICN) Points of Presence. The procurement requires vendors to provide synchronous bandwidth with a guaranteed 99.98% availability, operating continuously 24/7/365. A non-mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for August 12, 2025, at 2:00 pm CDT via WebEx, with electronic bid submissions accepted through the BidBuy platform. Bid responses are due by September 9, 2025, at 10:00 am CDT, and vendors must ensure sites are fully operational within 180 calendar days of contract execution. Pricing will be evaluated using a comprehensive formula calculating total cost, including monthly recurring costs, service term, installation expenses, and special construction costs, with awards anticipated to be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder per site location.

The solicitation includes a significant Business Enterprise Program (BEP) goal, specifically targeting 20% participation for special construction and focusing on NIGP Codes 91216, 91223, 91341, 91356, and 96218. Vendors must submit a detailed Utilization Plan demonstrating engagement with minority, women-owned, and disability-owned businesses, with an overall state goal of awarding at least 30% of contract dollars to certified diverse businesses. Additional requirements include providing a Dell authorized solutions partner letter, certified labor positions, and standard hourly rates. Vendors must complete comprehensive vendor disclosure forms and demonstrate compliance with various state ethical and legal standards. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the procurement suggests multiple awards across approximately 10 sites with varying bandwidth requirements. Liquidated damages provisions are included, with penalties of 2% of total site value (estimated at $50,000 per site) for each week beyond the 180-day implementation deadline, up to a maximum of 10% of the total site value.