Network Hardware E-Rate Year 2027/2028

Chula Vista Elementary School District (San Diego County, California) is requesting bids on network hardware under the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program for fiscal year 2027/2028, with bids due November 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PST and questions due November 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. PST.

The District must register all vendors with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and requires bidders to provide a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) and Federal Registration Number (FCC-FRN) as a condition of bid acceptance; failure to provide these certifications may result in bid rejection. The District intends to secure maximum E-Rate funding to defray equipment costs but reserves the right to cancel any or all work if E-Rate funding is not approved or only partially approved.

The scope encompasses layer 2 and layer 3 network switches (Cisco or fully equivalent) and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units with extended battery modules (EBM) to replace end-of-life infrastructure at four school sites: Cook, Palomar, Lauderbach, and Valle Lindo. The bid price sheet lists 43 line items including Cisco Catalyst 9300L and 9500 series switches, modules, cables, power supplies, software subscriptions, licensing, and Eaton UPS equipment. All equipment must be new (not used, refurbished, or remanufactured) with manufacturers' warranties of at least one year covering parts and workmanship. Bidders must submit unit prices excluding California sales tax and federal excise tax, with all materials, delivery, shipping, and handling included and delivered F.O.B. to the District's Central Warehouse. Pricing is based on two columns per line item: E-Rate Eligible Unit Price and E-Rate Ineligible Unit Price, reflecting potential partial funding scenarios.

The contract term runs from July 1, 2027, through September 30, 2028, with the District retaining renewal options for two additional one-year terms contingent on competitive pricing and satisfactory performance. Bidders must submit three references demonstrating completion of similar projects within the past year; the District itself is excluded from serving as a reference. District staff will handle installation, configuration, and equipment removal and disposal; the vendor provides parts and licensing only. The District is not obligated to purchase any particular quantity. Payment terms require monthly invoices within thirty days of service provision, with payment due within forty-five days of invoice receipt. The vendor must maintain general liability insurance of at least one million dollars per occurrence and three million dollars in aggregate, naming the District as an additional insured.

Compliance certifications required with bid submission include Affirmative Action Program (for contracts exceeding $10,000), Non-Collusion Affidavit, Fingerprint and Criminal Background Check Certification, Drug-Free Workplace Certification, Debarment Certification, Workers' Compensation Certificate, and transmittal documentation confirming status as an approved Cisco or equivalent manufacturer reseller. Award will be made to the lowest overall responsive and responsible bidder. A preliminary notice of intent to award is anticipated November 23, 2026; board meeting for contract award is scheduled December 16, 2026; and the selected awardee must submit the executed contract by December 28, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PST. Final addenda responding to questions will be posted November 13, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. PST. Bids must be submitted electronically via PlanetBids.