Ithaca Public Schools

710 N. Union St.

Ithaca, MI  48847

Phone:  (989) 875-4741

Fax:  (989) 875-8701

• E-Mail contact preferred:
  • Terri Brown (tbrown@ithacaschools.net)

Important Notes:

• 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 18, 2009 and January 18, 2010.  Purchase and installation of products and services must be between Jul 1, 2010 and Jun 30, 2011. 
• Please mail, email, or fax all quotations to the above address/fax clearly marked "To the Attention of USF-RFP."
• 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:  Cellular service as described above with 2-year contract.

• Alternate 2:  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 Terri Brown (tbrown@ithacaschools.net) for details.

Internet Access

• Portable wireless Internet access
  • For 2-5 cell phones
• Minimum 9.0mb Internet bandwidth connection for three buildings (middle school and high school are in same location).
  • Ithaca Middle/High School
  • North Elementary School

  • South Elementary School

    • 2 PVCs, if necessary (one to ISP & one to GIRESD)

    • Domain name registration (www.ithacaschools.net).
    • Access for up to 2000 users at four locations
    • Include backbone configuration diagram to nearest Tier-1 backbone.
    • Provide 99.97% uptime guarantee
    • 4-hour maximum service response time (24/7)
    • Include itemization of ISP-owned equipment necessary for connectivity that will be placed within the district.
    • Each building to have a 10/100 Ethernet connection as point of demarcation.
    • Provide proof of worker's Comp
    • Provide proof of $2 million liability insurance umbrella upon award of the bid.
    • 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
      • Proxy caching
      • Filtering solution at local level for CIPA compliance
      • Firewall services. 
        • Firewall should be able to handle VPN connections via PPTP and 3des.
        • Stateful packet inspection
        • Managed via web interface by a person designated by the District.
        • Full logging capability
      • DHCP Service
      • Statistical analyses access via web interface
      • End-to-end maintenance on equipment used to deliver services.
• WIFI Connection Cards
  • Monthly service with unlimited Mb of data for a minimum of 2
• Email
  • 1,000 email accounts

Internet access 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 access as described above with 2-year contract.

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

Please contact Terri Brown (tbrown@ithacaschools.net) for details.

Internal Connections

• Wireless access points for the district

  NOTE: All of the following must include installation costs and charges for continuing cost for support after the initial installation warranty.

  • Wireless access points and the necessary equipment is needed for North Elementary and the Middle/High School.
  • A site survey is necessary to determine the amount of wireless access points needed in each building.
  • All buildings must be quoted separately.
    • North Elementary requires a minimum of 30 access points
    • Middle/High School requires a minimum of 36 access points
       
• Switches
  • North Elementary requires a minimum of 15 5 port switches
  • Middle/High School requires a minimum of 20 5 port switches
  • Minimum of 1 36 port switch
  • Minimum of 4 12 port switches
     
• Wiring
  • Cat6 wiring for a minimum of 36 drops at the Middle/High School
  • Cat6 wiring for a minimum of 30 drops at North Elementary

To schedule a walk-through, please contact Terri Brown (tbrown@ithacaschools.net). Walk-throughs will be conducted before and after school only.

All hardware specifications above are minimum. It is expected that wiring/components/software will meet industry standards and current versions at the time of installation. Please contact Terri Brown (tbrown@ithacaschools.net) 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.