Network Switch Licensing

The West Ada School District (WASD), located in Idaho and spanning Ada and Canyon Counties, is soliciting proposals for Network Switch Licenses for fiscal years 2026-2027. The procurement specifically seeks Cisco Catalyst 9500 DNA Advantage licenses or equivalent 3-year switch licenses to complete the 5-year lifecycle of existing network infrastructure. This procurement will be funded through Category One E-Rate for Funding Year 2026-2027, with proposals due on December 8, 2025, at 10:15 AM MDT through the Bonfire E-Procurement portal. Vendors must submit proposals using a 100-point evaluation system, which includes 30% allocated to pricing, 25% to solution specifications, 20% to vendor qualifications, and 25% to prior experience. The initial contract term is one year, running from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with a focus on providing network switch licensing for the district's extensive infrastructure serving 40,000 students across 59 school sites.

The procurement opportunity does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must possess a valid USAC Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) and be prepared to comply with E-Rate program regulations. Bidders are required to provide annual quotations, register West Ada as the device owner with manufacturers, and demonstrate capability to integrate licenses into the district's existing network infrastructure. While no incumbent vendors are specifically mentioned, the district reserves the right to purchase more or less than estimated quantities and will award the contract to the most responsive offeror with the highest total points. Potential bidders must complete several mandatory attachments, including federal and Idaho law acknowledgements, a drug and alcohol affidavit, and an addendum acknowledgement form. Though no precise budget range is detailed, the procurement involves licensing for network switches across a large school district covering 382 square miles and multiple municipalities.