Midland ESA

3917 Jefferson Ave.
Midland, MI 48640
Phone:  (989) 631-5890
Fax:  (989) 631-4361

• E-Mail contact preferred:
  • James Mallory (jmallory@mcesa.k12.mi.us)

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 9, 2009 and January 9, 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 James Mallory (jmallory@mcesa.k12.mi.us) for details.

Internet Access

• Portable wireless Internet access
  • For 9-12 cell phones
  • Leased repeater at the ESA

• Minimum of 63MB Internet connection to 5 school districts (all applying as a consortium)

  • Midland Public Schools

  • Bullock Creek Schools

  • Meridian Public Schools

  • Coleman Community Schools

  • Midland ESA (billed entity for consortium)

    • Access for up to 15,000 users

    • Preferred multi-homed ISP (consortium already owns Arin IP space).

    • 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.

    • 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.

    • Firewall services for each district in consortium

    • Statistical analyses access via web interface

      • Track usage via graphs

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

    • Monitoring all systems and paging service of all key equipment, which does include provider and/or the consortium equipment.

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 James Mallory (jmallory@mcesa.k12.mi.us) 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.