WNY RBHN HCF RFP 38
** All proposals are due via email by 11:59:59 PM on 02/26/21 (the day prior to ACSD)
Go to:
https://rhc.usac.org/hcf/public/searchPosted.htm
Enter Fund Year 2021
Enter HCP Number 17268
Click on Details
Look under Request for Proposal for link to download the attached RFP
Look under Section 9 for circuit requests
Please note the Allowable Contract Sign Date (ACSD) is 02/27/21. No agreements should be signed prior to that date!
Important:
- Proposals must be emailed to RFP@r-ahec.org
- Bids must be received via email by 11:59:59 PM on 02/26/21 (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 2021 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. Question regarding St. John’s Healthcare. They request MPLS/SD-WAN or equivalent but only two locations are included in the RFP. Please let me know if there are additional locations that should be included.
A:There are 3 sites in total, and the MPLS would need to connect to all 3:
150 highland ave, rochester
65 sonoma dr, penfield
1 johnsarbor dr, rochester
5. Regarding the (2) 100Gb Managed PTP connection requests from Olean General to Kaleida Health. So is this request really asking for Two Diverse entry paths of 100Gbps E-Lines using the same two locations? Any help on answering these would be greatly appreciated.
A: It is. Diverse paths would include separate entries into the locations, including but not limited to separation of shared resources such as telephone poles, etc… ensuring no single points of failure.
6. Auburn Community Hospital is on RFP 38, so I just want to confirm that this time they are requesting the two 50Mb Internet, 500Mb Internet(with 13 static IP), and a 400Mb Internet Connection. And no diversity required for any of these connections., correct?
A: Currently the 4 circuits listed above are not serviced by the same vendor.
