WNY RBHN HCF RFP 28
** All proposals are due by email 11:59:59 PM – 03/17/2020
Download the RFP and Network Plan by going to https://rhc.usac.org/hcf/public/searchPosted.htm and entering the following search criteria:
Fund Year: “2020”
HCP Number: “17268”
Find the posting date of 02/18/20 and click “Details”
Review the PDF under “Request for Proposals” to ensure you are looking at RFP 28.
Pricing Format:
Bidders must use our standard pricing format for broadband pricing (Section 9.2 equipment pricing may still be proposed in the bidder’s own format):
Follow the instructions at the top of the spreadsheet.
Include the finished spreadsheet as a separate file within the electronic bid proposal copy.
Questions about the RFP can be emailed to us here. Any incoming questions and corresponding answers will be posted on this page.
Reminder: Important 2020 Changes to RFP:
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- Proposals must be emailed to rfp@r-ahec.org
- Responses due by 11:59:59 PM on day preceding USAC Allowable Contract Sign Date.
Questions and Answers:
All questions must be submitted by email. Please thoroughly read the RFP before asking questions; your answer may be found within the RFP.
1. When submitting the Pricing Proposal for the Equipment, do we follow the Proposal Format outlined in 3.3? Many of the bullet points do not seem applicable if we are only proposing hardware for one entity on the bid.
A: You need to follow the bullet points which are applicable, in the order shown in the RFP. If you are only responding to equipment, some of these bullet points will not be applicable and therefore you don’t need to follow them (for example, the Description of Proposed Broadband Solution and/or Public Internet Service).
2. How is the RFP actually scored? Who makes the final decision on awarding contracts?
A: The RFP scoring process is a multi-step procedure. First, R-AHEC reviews each bid in its entirety and scores each vendor based on the Scoring Criteria found at the end of the RFP. R-AHEC then creates a proposal summary for each individual organization from the RFP, and sends that summary along with the responses and internal scoring sheet to each respective organization. Each organization then has a chance to score the bidders on their own. R-AHEC then meets with each organization to discuss the bids and select winners based on the organization’s review and feedback. It is ultimately the organization’s decision which bidder is selected.
3. As a bidder can we respond only to portions of the RFP, or must we respond to all requests?
A: You can choose to respond only to certain portions of the RFP if you wish. However, you must follow all the guidelines of the RFP, so it is important to thoroughly read the entire RFP to ensure you are complying with all provisions.
4. On page 21 of RFP 28, the very first line 45147 is for a 2000Mbps Ethernet circuit. The facility name is Victory Technology Center. Who is the customer for that service?
A: The organizational customer is Catholic Health.
5. Will you accept a partial bid?
A: Yes. Per 3.1 “Bidders are encouraged to make proposals on those parts of the project where they feel they can effectively provide a solution.”
6. Are any of these services you’re requesting new?
A: All services, to the best of our knowledge, are not new.
7. If under contract, will they be expiring in 2020?
A: To the best of our knowledge, Mosaic Health, Schofield, and Schuyler contracts will expire in 2020.
8. Update to RFP 28
Please be advised that services up for bid for Schuyler Hospital 100Mb internet circuits on RFP 28 are for existing services that will either be replaced with a new contract with the existing provider or with a new contract from a new provider.
Please contact pappleton@r-ahec.org for organizational contact information regarding any site/construction determinations that need to be made.
9. Update to RFP 28
To clarify, the following circuits should have referenced coaxial cable internet, 100 x 10 Mb, rather than internet 10Mb.
