Van Buren ISD

490 S. Paw Paw St.

Lawrence, MI  49064

Phone:  (269) 674-8001

Fax:  (269) 674-8954

• E-Mail contact preferred:
  • Sam Accorso (saccorso@vbisd.org) or
  • Joe Bennett (jbennett@vbisd.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 December 28, 2010 and January 28, 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:  Telephone, fiber, and/or cellular as described above with 2-year contract.

• Alternate 2:  Telephone, fiber, and/or cellular 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 Sam Accorso (saccorso@vbisd.org) or Joe Bennett (jbennett@vbisd.org) for details.

Internet Access

• Portable wireless Internet access
  • For 15-25 cell phones

• Minimum 16mb DSL or cable connection to Behavioral Educational Center in Bangor (30 S. Walnut St., Bangor, MI).

• Minimum 20mb fiber to Community-Based Transition Center (811 Hazen St., Paw Paw, MI 49079)

• Minimum 9.0mb Internet connection

  • Fiber preferred (preferred solution is creating a fiber ring connecting each of the locations listed below under the fiber lease)
  • Access for up to 2,500 users.
  • 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.
  • Minimum 10/100/1000 Ethernet connection as point of demarcation within the district.
  • ISP provides network monitoring with paging service.
  • 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:
    • Firewall services
      • Firewall should be able to handle VPN connections via PPTP and 3des
      • Managed via web interface by a person designated by the district
      • Full logging capability
    • Statistical analyses access via web interface
    • End-to-end maintenance on equipment used to deliver services.
• E-Mail
  • Up to 2,500 email accounts
• Minimum of 1 wireless 784 k circuit.
• WIFI connection card monthly service with unlimited Mb of data
  • For 10-25 district laptops
• Fiber Lease
  • NOTE 1: It is the intention of the district to lease fiber in the most cost effective manner -- either from a Telco provider OR from an Internet Service provider.
  • NOTE 2: The district will consider a comparable solution, including, but not limited to, a wireless solution if fiber is not attainable.
  • Districts to be connected to the VBISD (490 South Paw Paw Street, Lawrence, MI  49064) at a minimum of 10 Mb are as follows:
    • KRESA - 1819 East Milham Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49002
    • Hartford Public Schools - 121 School Street, Hartford, MI. 49057
    • Mattawan Consolidated Schools (Center Building) - 56720 Murray St., Mattawan, MI.
    • Paw Paw Public Schools - 313 W. Michigan Avenue, Paw Paw, MI.
    • Bangor Public Schools - 801 West Arlington, Bangor, MI  49013
    • Bloomingdale Public Schools - P.O. Box 217, Bloomingdale, MI  49026
    • LC Mohr High School - 600 Elkenburg, South Haven, MI  49090
    • Covert Public Schools - 35323 M-140 Highway, Covert, MI  49043

    • Decatur Public Schools - 110 Cedar Street, Decatur, MI  49045

    • Gobles High School - 409 North State Street, Gobles, MI  49055

    • Lawrence Public Schools - 650 W. St. Joseph, Lawrence, MI  49064

    • Lawton High School - 101 Blue Pride Drive, Lawton, MI  49065

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 Sam Accorso (saccorso@vbisd.org) or Joe Bennett (jbennett@vbisd.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.