RFP - Fiber Optic WAN Service

Butts County Schools in Jackson, Georgia is soliciting proposals for fully managed, lit fiber Wide Area Network service connecting its instructional and administrative facilities, with questions due November 21, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EST and proposals due December 1, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. EST. Eligibility depends on a current, valid E-Rate SPIN/498 ID, an FCC Registration Number, appropriate Georgia business licensing, and E-Verify compliance. The source states no set-aside or local-vendor preference.

The District serves over 3,400 students and 186 faculty members. Each facility must maintain minimum effective throughput of 2 Gbps, 5 Gbps, or 10 Gbps to the Board of Education office. Vendors must demonstrate financial stability and operational capability to meet the July 1, 2027 service start, including detailed implementation plans and performance assurances where substantial construction is required. The District requires the ability to upgrade individual locations to higher service levels and to discontinue service at specific locations on 90 days' written notice. Vendors must disclose early termination charges, minimum revenue commitments, facility-specific cancellation charges, and other financial liabilities.

The District requests pricing for a 36-month term from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030. Pricing must remain consistent throughout the term and comply with Georgia law and E-Rate program requirements. The District anticipates E-Rate support but reserves the right to reduce or discontinue services if E-Rate funding is denied, reduced, or unavailable. Vendors must separately itemize recurring charges, one-time installation or construction costs, required equipment, applicable taxes, regulatory fees, and other charges, distinguishing included and ineligible components.

Proposals will be scored on a weighted matrix: E-Rate Eligible Cost (40 points), Administrative Requirements (35 points), Technical Requirements (15 points), Vendor Qualifications (5 points), and Proposal Quality (5 points). Proposals must be submitted electronically to rfp@fundingtechnology.com with the subject line "RFPBUTTSWAN27 Proposal."