Forest Hills Public Schools

6590 Cascade Road SE

Grand Rapids, MI. 49546

Phone: (616) 493-8809

Fax: (616) 493-8509

• E-mail contact preferred:
  • Kevin Barrons (kbarrons@fhps.us)

Important Notes:

• Deadline for questions is December 21, 2009 at the close of business. Questions may be submitted via email to: erate@fhps.us One document will be sent for all questions.
• Deadline for RFP is December 21, 2009 at the end of business
• Bids should be send to:
  • Forest Hills Public Schools
    6590 Cascade Road SE
    Grand Rapids, MI. 49546
    Phone: (616) 493-8809
    Fax: (616) 493-8509
    Attention: "E-rate Bid" for telecommunication and Internet services.
• This RFP is for products and services for existing networks/systems.
• All quotes must be submitted with the understanding that implementation may be dependent upon:
  • E-rate funding approval by the SLD
  • Student enrollments
  • Existing budgetary requirements. 
• The intent is that contingent contracts will be let between December 21, 2009 and January 21, 2010.  Purchase and installation of products and services must be between Jul 1, 2010 and Jun 30, 2011. 
• Hardware must allow for distribution of voice, video, or data signal to other buildings within the district as necessary. Capacity must allow for all users.
• The following specifications are to be used as guidelines in quoting a solution. Although specification changes are permitted, the quality of the product/service requested must be based upon industry standards at time of delivery. 
• The items requested within this RFP may or may not be USF eligible.  All non-eligible products and services must be itemized.  Please use the 2009 USF Eligible Services List for guidance. (Note: It is the vendor's responsibility to check for updates and corrections prior to submitting bids/quotations.)

The district reserves the right to accept or reject any or all quotations.

Telephone Service

Telecommunications add-alternates for a multi-year contract may be considered for each of the telecommunication services described above.

• Alternate 1:  Pager and/or cellular service as described above with 2-year contract.

• Alternate 2:  Pager and/or cellular service as described above with 3-year contract.

Telephone service includes, but is not limited to, those items/components that are USF eligible.  Any additional telephone service not covered by USF eligibility, must be itemized and quoted separately. Please contact Kevin Barrons (616) 493-8809 for details.

Internet Access

• Portable wireless Internet access
  • For 1-5 cell phones (Blackberry-type capability)

• Cellular service for GPS tracking

  • Number of cell phones = 101-106

  • Unlimited direct connect

• Dedicated Internet access for the district

  • Minimum 20.0mbps bandwidth

    • Connection to the ISP is fiber direct on a Metropolitan Area Network

    • Include the ability to upgrade as needed up to 40MB.

    • Include (minimum) 20mbps  to the ISP with a separate virtual connection - Ethernet Virtual Circuit (EVC) capability to the Kent County Intermediate School District (930 Knapp St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525). Service options for bandwidth can be proposed starting at 20mbps as bid alternates in 5 or 10mbps up to 40mbps.

  • Domain name registration and host: http://www.fhps.us

  • Pricing requirements are needed for the following:

    • Upgrade cost requirements (include recurring and non-recurring costs).

  • Access for up to 15,000 users.

  • 99.99% uptime guarantee.

  • 4-hour maximum service response time (24/7).

  • Include itemization of vendor owned equipment necessary for connectivity that will be placed within the district.

  • One building to have a connection as point of demarcation (Forest Hills Northern Campus, 3801 Leonard, NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525).

  • Proof of worker's compensation insurance must be provided.

  • Proof of $2 million liability insurance umbrella.

  • The solution must be E-rate eligible.

  • Bids must include line itemization of all components to allow for the use of E-rate funds on all approved items. Itemization should include, but not be limited to:

    • DNS-ability for customer to have external DNS service. If a move for the URL is required, any associated costs must be included.

    • Vendor must provide a full class C range of Internet addresses.

    • Web hosting as provided by the Internet service provider (projected based on current use):

      • 1 gb of data storage (with backup)

      • 750 mb of transfer per month to the site

      • Web interface to add users and security

    • Statistical analyses access via web interface.

    • End-to-end maintenance on equipment used to deliver services.

    • NOTE: District currently has its own Internet filtering and firewall services along with spam and virus controls.

Internet includes, but is not limited to, those items/components that are USF eligible. Any additional service not covered by USF eligibility must be itemized and quoted separately. Please refer to the 2009 USF Eligible Services List. It is the intent of the district to obtain the highest value at the most reasonable price.

Add-alternates for a multi-year contract may be considered.

• Alternate 1: Internet service as described above with 2-year contract.

• Alternate 2: Internet service as described above with 3-year contract.

Please contact Kevin Barrons (616) 493-8809 for details.

Bid Evaluation

Although the cost of the product/service is of primary concern, the ability to accommodate growth and change and the total cost of operation (TCO) within the district are, in many ways, more important. Do not assume the lowest bid will be awarded the project.

To achieve this goal, bids will be evaluated on several factors.

• Prices/charges

• Prior experience

• Understanding of needs

• Financial stability

• Personnel qualifications

• Comply with the spirit of the district's long range technology plan

• Compatibility with district hardware/software standards as set forth within district's long range technology plan

• Provide lower long-term cost of ownership

• Ability to upgrade and adapt to technological advances

• Completeness of response and adherence to bid specifications

• Summary of project implementation plan

• Capability of the bidder to successfully complete the installation within the required timeframe.