Request for Storage and Archive Solution

Midland Public Schools, through Barton Malow Company, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for BP 18-100 Storage and Archive Solutions, seeking a comprehensive replacement of their storage area network infrastructure. The procurement encompasses three primary bid categories: Storage Area Server, Network, and Backup/Archiving solutions. Key deliverables include new storage hardware, associated switches, backup systems, and potential long-term cloud archive storage. A non-mandatory pre-bid meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2018, at 10:00 AM, with proposal submissions due on April 20, 2018, at 11:00 AM. Bidders must submit three hard copies and one electronic copy of their proposals, accompanied by a 5% bid security via bid bond or cashier's check. The Owner will evaluate proposals based on multiple factors, including product suitability, initial and ongoing costs, bidder qualifications, and warranty terms. The project timeline includes post-bid interviews on April 26, 2018, anticipated Board of Education consideration on May 21, 2018, and equipment delivery by July 13, 2018.

While the RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises, it does outline several optional alternates that bidders can propose, including cold spare package, failover configuration, trade-in/buyback credit, optics, and long-term archive cloud storage. Work is primarily to be performed during standard business hours (8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday), with system cutovers scheduled outside school hours. The project encompasses two primary work locations: the Administration Building for production systems and H.H. Dow High School for disaster recovery infrastructure. Although specific budget ranges are not detailed in the provided documentation, the comprehensive nature of the storage and archive solution suggests a significant technology investment. The RFP indicates that the base bid must meet all mandatory requirements, with additional pricing for preferred and optional components provided as voluntary alternates, which implies flexibility in potential contract value and scope.