WNY RBHN HCF RFP 31
** All proposals are due via email by 11:59:59 PM on 04/17/20 (the day prior to ACSD)
Go to USAC Rural Health Care Search Posted Services:
Download the RFP and Network Plan by going to https://rhc.usac.org/hcf/public/searchPosted.htm and entering the following search criteria:
- Enter Fund Year – 2020
- Enter HCP Number – 17268
- Click on “Details” for Posting Start Date of 03/20/20 (Note – RFP 30 was posted on the same day)
- Click on Request for Proposal (make sure you are clicking on WNYRBHN HCF RFP 31.pdf)
Please note the Allowable Contract Sign Date (ACSD) is 04/18/20. No agreements should be signed prior to that date!
Please note several changes to RFP this year:
- Proposals must be emailed to RFP@r-ahec.org
- Bids must be received via email by 11:59:59 PM on 04/17/20 (the day prior to ACSD)
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:
-
- 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. Some service requests for Cloverwood were removed from HCF 29 and reissued under HCF 31, while others, such as the request for 50 SIP, were simply been removed. Please confirm such service requests have been cancelled and only those currently posted are up for bid.
A: Yes, SIP should have been in HCF 31 for both sites.
