Wireless Internet Bench Installations

The City of Wichita's Finance Department/Purchasing Division is issuing a Request for Bid (RFB) for wireless internet bench installations at the Wichita Public Library, seeking qualified firms to provide comprehensive fiber installation and monthly internet service to nine EnGoPlanet solar benches (Model WYC1916, 12V/DC) deployed across municipal parks including Boston Park, Linwood Park, Osage Park, Great Plains Nature, Veterans Parkway, 31st and South Seneca, Buffalo Park, Clapp Park, and Harrison Park. The primary deliverables include 1Gbps symmetrical internet via fiber to each bench, installation of Ericsson Cradlepoint routers with 3-year NetCloud Mobile Essentials Plans (R920 router with 300Mbps modem), and complete network configuration featuring content filtering, splash pages, DHCP settings, DNS Umbrella pointing, and static IP address assignments for each unit. Fiber installation must be completed within four weeks of notice to proceed, with monthly internet service running through June 30, 2027, with potential extension into a larger Library public internet RFP commencing July 1, 2027. Bidders must demonstrate minimum qualifications including three years of relevant experience, understanding of industry standards, comparable project experience, Kansas Secretary of State registration, bonding and insurance capacity, and preferably municipal government experience. The evaluation criteria emphasize lowest and best total net bid from responsible and responsive vendors, with separate pricing required for one-time fiber installation costs and monthly internet service per bench. Key deadlines include questions due by 5:00 p.m. on April 22, 2026, answers posted by April 24, 2026, sealed bids due electronically by 10:00 a.m. on May 1, 2026 through the City's Bonfire procurement portal, and tentative City Council approval scheduled for May 12, 2026.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions limiting bidder eligibility to disadvantaged enterprises or particular organization types are detailed in the solicitation documentation. Bidders must obtain and maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Comprehensive Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 each occurrence), Workers' Compensation meeting statutory requirements, and Employers Liability ($1,000,000 each accident/$2,000,000 annual aggregate). All bids become City property with a 60-day non-withdrawal requirement following bid opening, and the contract is subject to Kansas state law and City of Wichita mandatory contractual provisions including anti-discrimination compliance and suspension/debarment verification. Specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the solicitation materials; pricing will be submitted through the electronic portal and evaluated on a lowest and best bid basis. The contract includes thirty-day cancellation provisions for either party and City termination rights if adequate funds become unavailable, with detailed invoicing requirements itemizing labor hours, hourly rates, and material costs preceding payment processing.