Threshold Academy

Physical Address of the School:

    5827 Orleans Rd.

    Orleans, MI  48865

Physical Address of the Contact Person:

    904 Oak Dr.

    Greenville, MI 48838

    Phone:  (616) 754-9315

    Fax:  (616) 761-2298

• E-Mail contact preferred:
  • Steve Powell (stevenp@8cap.org)

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 October 21, 2009 and November 21, 2009.  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:  Telephone and/or cellular service as described above with 2-year contract.

• Alternate 2:  Telephone 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 Steve Powell (stevenp@8cap.org) for details.

Internet Access

• Minimum 10.0mb Internet connection for the district.
  • Access for up to 500 users
  • Domain name registration
  • 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.
• E-Mail
  • 500 email accounts
• Web Hosting
  • Appropriate amount of data storage
  • Appropriate amount of transfer per month
  • Web interface for sub-domains
  • Web interface to add users and security

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 Steve Powell (stevenp@8cap.org) 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.