e-rate Category 2 RFP – Network Switch and Related Components

The Barrow County School District has released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Category 2 Network Switch and Related Components. Here is a summary of the key points: **Project Overview** * The district is seeking bids for network switches and accessories to supplement its existing network. * The contract will start on April 1, 2026, and terminate on September 30, 2027. * The district reserves the right to order quantities in any size lot or lots of quantities. **Requirements** * The proposed solution must be compatible with the existing network, which consists of Aruba 6200F switches and Aruba CX8325 Switches. * The network switch must support 1Gbe, 10 Gbe, 25 Gbe, 40 Gbe, and 100 Gbe line cards, and have a minimum switching capacity of 14 Tbps. * The switch must also support Layer 3, BGP, EVPN, VXLAN, VRF, OSPFv2 and OSPFv3, PIM/IGMP, MACsec encryption, and policy-based routing and QoS. * The proposed solution must include a 5-year license for new switches, and vendors must indicate if the licenses fall under Internal Connections (IC) or Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC). **Evaluation Criteria** * The district will evaluate proposals based on the following factors: + Cost of E-rate eligible goods and services (40 points) + Scope of work and specification compliance (35 points) + Prior experience (25 points) * The district reserves the right to reject any or all bids submitted if requirements are not met. **Submission Instructions** * Bids must be submitted via email to John St.Clair at [email protected] by January 12, 2026, at 12:00 PM. * Proposals must include a completed itemized spreadsheet (Appendix F) with pricing, company description, certificates of insurance, and manufacturer's standard warranty. * Vendors must provide proof of product equivalency and compatibility with existing systems. **Timeline** * November 21, 2025: FCC Form 470 posted/RFP released * December 5, 2025: Questions from bidders due (in writing) * December 10, 2025: Q&A/addendum(s) posted in EPC * January 12, 2026: Bid due date * February 3, 2026: Estimated district board meeting approval