Description
The Merced County Office of Education is soliciting proposals to provide a broad portfolio of telecommunications and IT services for its 2026‑27 E‑Rate program. The work includes leasing lit‑fiber and dark‑fiber point‑to‑point circuits, dark‑fiber ring topology, third‑party network services, self‑provisioned network projects, data‑cabling construction, and network equipment purchases for schools and special‑education sites, as well as Cisco SmartNet maintenance. Vendors must hold a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN), be eligible common carriers (for telecom), and be capable of applying the California Teleconnect Fund discount. Each ITEM must be priced separately with firm pricing for 180 days after the Funding Commitment Decision Letter. The contract term for most services is up to five years, with start dates ranging from July 2026 to July 2027. Bids must be submitted in sealed envelopes by 2 PM PT on 10 Mar 2026, and a mandatory pre‑bid walk‑through is required on 4 Feb 2026 for certain data‑cabling and self‑provisioned items.
• Scope covers leased lit‑fiber (10‑20 Gbps), leased dark‑fiber (including IRU options), and ring‑topology dark‑fiber.
• Additional services: third‑party network provisioning, self‑owned network builds, data‑cabling, and network equipment (including Cisco SmartNet).
• Key compliance: SPIN requirement, CTF 50 % discount stacking, no bundling of items, 180‑day price lock, mandatory bond and insurance filings.