RFP 031-25

Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) has issued Request for Proposals (RFP 031-25) for a comprehensive turnkey cybersecurity solution to protect the district's digital infrastructure. The procurement seeks advanced cybersecurity technologies and services covering four primary categories: Advanced/Next-Generation Firewalls, Endpoint Protection, Identity Protection and Authentication, and Monitoring, Detection, and Response. Key deliverables include safeguarding cloud resources like Google Workspace, implementing Data Loss Prevention (DLP), preventing Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, and providing comprehensive threat detection and monitoring services. The evaluation criteria will assess technical solution and approach (25%), experience and qualifications of key staff (10%), project experience (20%), organizational and financial capability (10%), and cost proposal (30%). Critical dates include a pre-proposal conference potentially scheduled for July 8, 2025, with questions accepted from June 26, 2025, to July 10, 2025, and proposals due on August 11, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. EST. The initial contract term is one year with potential automatic renewals for two additional one-year terms, and the project will be funded through the Cybersecurity Pilot Program.

The RFP includes a robust Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) program with specific contracting goals and preferences. The SLBE program establishes a 15% contracting goal for businesses located within Clayton County or the surrounding Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses 19 counties. SLBE-Clayton businesses receive 5 points in initial RFP evaluations, with a race, ethnicity, and gender-neutral approach designed to promote local business participation. Bidders must submit mandatory documents including a Subcontractor/Supplier Utilization Plan, Letters of Intent, and a Subcontractor/Supplier Contact List. The program allows SLBE bidders to meet up to 50% of the SLBE goal by self-performing at least 50% of the work. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the cybersecurity solution suggests a significant investment in protecting the school district's technological infrastructure. Vendors must be prepared to provide a holistic cybersecurity approach that includes advanced threat detection, AI/ML threat response, cloud services, network visibility, endpoint detection, intrusion prevention, and zero trust architecture.