Update – The deadline for RFP FY2023-01 has been extended to 02/03/23 – All proposals are now due via email by 11:59:59 PM on 02/03/23
WNY RBHN HCF RFP FY2023-01
** All proposals are due via email by 11:59:59 PM on 02/01/23 (the day prior to ACSD)
Go to:
https://opendata.usac.org/stories/s/RHC-Posted-Services-Tool/8wan-j4cu
Enter Fund Year 2023 in Filters
Enter HCP Number 17268 in Filters
Scroll to the right
Look under “RFP 1” for a link to download the attached RFP
Look under Section 9 of the RFP document for a link to circuit requests
Please note the Allowable Contract Sign Date (ACSD) is 02/02/23. 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 02/01/23 (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. There are two 500Mb DIA circuits listed for Jewish Home. Is one of the circuits a backup circuit?
A: Yes, there are two circuits and one of them is to provide redundancy.
5. What are the 10Mb DIA circuits listed for Jewish Home, what are they used for?
A: The 10Mb circuits are used for voice.
6. What are the number of IP addresses required for each customer request?
A: Unless noted there are no IP requests. The vendor may feel free to include pricing for IP blocks so facilities know what the additional cost may be if they wish to add IP blocks to a circuit.
7. Is a wet signature needed on the RFP response?
A: No, a wet signature is not required. The RFP can be electronically signed as well.
8. Is it acceptable to modify the pricing spreadsheet?
A: Yes, it is acceptable to modify the pricing spreadsheet to better align it with the format of the circuit requests.
9. For 23821: 127 North St, Batavia, 14020 to 45151: 16 Bank St, Batavia, NY 14020, can you tell me where the dmark is in the Bank Street location? For example, what floor?
A: The DF demark is located on the 1st floor – Main Network Closet. This Fiber enters the building down the hallway at the 1st Floor Phone Room.
10. 23821: 127 North St, Batavia, 14020, for this request it just says MPLS….are they wanting Metro Ethernet? If so what is the “z” location?
A: The other end of the MPLS circuit is at 1 Exchange St if a carrier bids Metro E.
11. In that building (1 Exchange St Rochester, NY) there are floors for the dmark area. Do you know what floor they are on?
A: The demark is on the 9th floor.
