WNY RBHN HCF RFP 45
** All proposals are due via email by 11:59:59 PM on 11/02/21 (the day prior to ACSD)
Go to:
https://rhc.usac.org/hcf/public/searchPosted.htm
Enter Fund Year 2022
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 11/03/21. 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 11/02/21 (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:
- 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. What Types of redundant services is the facility looking for? 1. Redundant services that are using a different transport or 2. Services that are coming in on a different path?
A: Option 2 would be the one we are shooting for. What I am trying to have is a failover option so should something happen to Spectrum’s FIA circuit for some reason, we would be able to failover to these secondary circuits and retain connectivity.
5. Would you find out if Mosaic would be interested in seeing pricing on SD WAN (aggregates bandwidth, automatic failover, enhanced security, etc.)? If they are interested I would need to know the bandwidth of their primary circuit at each location. This will allow us to determine the proper licensing and device size.
A: We currently have SD Wan but not the secondary circuits.
A: Well, usually that entails certain network equipment that needs to be purchased or leased. I don’t need to incur those costs as I already have the equipment. If they still want to quote I and I will happy to look it over but the only thing I need is the circuits.
However, I will say that I not familiar with their solution so I may be thinking about it incorrectly. So, they are welcome to quote I and I can explore it further.
A: 200M is the bandwidth at most locations with 100M at a couple.
6. Does Mosaic want symmetrical circuits (ie 50M up and 50M down)? Would non Spectrum Broadband be a viable option for their redundant circuit?
A: Yes to symmetrical circuits. I am hesitant about broadband (assuming they mean coax vs fiber) but willing to evaluate.
7. What documentation would be necessary for us to provide you about the internet circuits and how they are different from what is in place today? Is this something you need on the bid, or is it something we can provide after the fact?
A: As long as it is provided, it does not matter if it I given on the bid or some other time, but I would like to see it when all the bids are turned over for review.
