Storage Area Network

The Clare-Gladwin Regional Education Service District (CGRESD) is seeking a comprehensive Storage Area Network (SAN) solution through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on May 1, 2019, with bid responses due on May 17, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. EST. The procurement is a turnkey project for an iSCSI-based SAN that includes two network switches, six dual-port 10 Gbit/s network interface cards, and must be fully compatible with VMware vSphere 6.5. The RFP specifies detailed technical requirements, including fully redundant power supplies, controllers, and hard drives with 40 Terabytes of usable storage capacity, with options to expand to 60 Terabytes. CGRESD is acting as a fiscal agent for a consortium of local school districts: Beaverton Rural Schools, Clare Public Schools, Farwell Area Schools, Gladwin Community Schools, and Harrison Community Schools. The district reserves the right to accept or reject any bids and may award the contract to a vendor other than the lowest bidder, with the requirement that vendors bid on the entire project and provide pricing valid for additional purchases for one year after bid acceptance.

The RFP requires vendors to complete several mandatory affidavits, including a Familial Relationships Form, a Compliance with School Safety Initiative Legislation form, and an Iran Economic Sanctions Act compliance certification. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are mentioned, vendors must demonstrate full compatibility with existing Dell PowerEdge R640 servers and provide a comprehensive 24x7x365 hardware and software warranty. The procurement includes a 10 Gbit/s network interface card requirement that must integrate seamlessly with the existing technological infrastructure. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive technical specifications and multi-district consortium suggest a significant investment in network infrastructure. Vendors will need to provide a holistic solution that not only meets the technical requirements but also ensures long-term scalability and support for the educational consortium's technological needs.