Structured Cabling

The Grosse Pointe Public School System is soliciting sealed bids for a comprehensive structured cabling installation project across seven school buildings: Brownell Middle School, Maire Elementary, North High School, Richard Elementary, Parcells Middle School, South High School, and Monteith Elementary. This Request for Proposals seeks qualified vendors to provide a complete turnkey solution including structured cabling equipment, installation services, and warranty services to establish fully functioning structured cabling systems district-wide. The scope encompasses installation of Category 6 plenum-rated cabling, single-mode fiber optic backbone infrastructure, wireless access points, interactive flat panels, audio-visual systems, and related technology infrastructure across multiple classroom spaces, administrative offices, gymnasiums, athletic facilities, libraries, science labs, and support areas. Project deliverables include 342 audio/visual data cables, 582 wireless access point cables, 1,153 general data cables, removal and demolition of existing infrastructure at 19 Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) closets and 2 Main Distribution Frame (MDF) closets, reinstallation of 326 wireless access points, and creation of 6 new network closets, with all cabling systems requiring a certified 15-year manufacturer's performance warranty. Work is scheduled in phases beginning May 2021, with construction-related buildings requiring completion by August 15, 2021 for summer installation, and full implementation extending through Fall 2022. Installation must comply with TIA/EIA 568B standards, ANSI/TIA standards, and the National Electrical Code, with comprehensive testing and documentation required prior to final acceptance. Critical dates include a non-mandatory vendors' conference on December 1, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom, a deadline for questions on December 2, 2020, sealed bid proposals due electronically on January 6, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., and an anticipated award date in February 2021. Qualified vendors must demonstrate workforce capacity to complete the accelerated schedule requiring six-day work weeks on two shifts during the summer installation period (July 15-August 15) and 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year, provide three recent project references, meet E-Rate (Universal Service Fund) requirements, comply with Michigan's Iran Economic Sanctions Act, provide sworn and notarized non-familial relationship disclosures and criminal background screening certifications, and submit a 5% bid bond with all proposals.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to disadvantaged enterprises or particular organization types are identified in the procurement documents. Vendors must meet E-Rate compliance requirements and identify eligible versus ineligible components within their proposals, as the project is contingent upon the school district receiving E-Rate funding approval via a Funding Commitment Decision Letter from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), with payment prohibited before the district's successful filing of Form 486 and receipt of the FCDL. Approved manufacturers include Panduit, Legrand, CommScope, Belden, and Leviton for structured cabling products. The selected vendor or vendors may be awarded multiple contracts due to the scope and timeline of the work, and the district reserves the right to adjust quantities by up to 25% without altering unit prices. Performance and payment bonds equal to the total contract value are required if the project exceeds $50,000 and involves construction, with bonds issued by sureties rated A- or better from A.M. Best and authorized to operate in Michigan. The contract includes a $200 per day penalty for delays within the contractor's control, and progress billing is permitted monthly for delivered and installed equipment up to 90% of the total purchase price with 10% retainage distributed as 50% upon documentation delivery and 50% upon final acceptance. While specific budget amounts are not disclosed in the procurement documents, pricing must remain valid for a minimum of 120 calendar days, and all costs including design, permitting, installation labor, testing, and documentation must be included in the base bid with no additional charges beyond those listed on price breakdown sheets.