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Q: I have the following questions about the submitted 470: CON-ECMU-EDULIC20: How many upgrade 20 APS licenses added to the controller? Is it 20? SFP-10G-SR-S: 10GBASE-SR SFP Module, Enterprise-Class- How many do they need? Just one? GLC-TE: 1000BASE-T SFP transceiver module for Category 5 copper wire- How many? Just one? Thank you!
A: For quantity, please note: http://www.mye-binder.com/rfpqa_files/LZITCW.pdf

Q: The district is in the middle of a term with COX. 2 years into a 3 year term come July (5 year with 2 X 1 year extensions). How do you recommend we respond to the 470?
A: Completely up to you. The applicant is considering additional bandwidth and want to move the existing bandwidth to a different location as this could potentially provide multiple paths to the Internet. Options are good and evaluations shall be based on the criteria in the Invitation to Bid. The district will select the most cost effective solution.

Q: nVision intends to bid
A: Understood, thanks for your interest.

Q: For the WAN, Would the district accept 5 year terms? The RFP only asks for only a 12 month term. Incumbent providers prefer you choose shorter terms because they renew you anytime changes are made. They're never ending contracts without the benefit of better pricing for the district. However, E-Rate now expects schools to look at the best Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). This can only be accomplished by comparing bids in out years up to 20 years. Special construction is also a game changer and allows the district to permanently lower the monthly price. Special construction is only around for a very limited time. It allows the school to pay the non discount NRC over 4 years. There's also a state match - which means construction of a private fiber WAN would be 100% covered. This is outside of your 12 month ask in the RFP. So, this request is not taking into account the robust fiscal option the school could take advantage of in this request. Allowing for long term options forces vendors to provide the best TCO and allows the schools to accurately compare bids apples to apples. Otherwise, the 12 month will only attract incumbent providers who have public only systems which are oversubscribed and provide just a VLAN option. The RFP only asks for a 3 year term. I see the RFP mentions Special Construction, which allows district's to amortize their Special Construction costs over four years. Would the district allow a five year contract which would allow them to fully realize the Special Construction benefit? Special construction is a game changer and allows the district to permanently lower the monthly WAN price. We expect Special Construction to only be around for a very limited time. Utilizing this benefit allows the school to pay the non discount NRC over 4 years. I wanted to reach out since this is outside of your 3 year ask in the RFP. Allowing for long term options forces vendors to provide the best TCO and allows the schools to accurately compare bids apples to apples. Otherwise, the 3 year term will only attract incumbent providers who have public only systems which are oversubscribed and provide just a VLAN option.
A: Options are great. The ITB does not mandate a specific term length. Shorter term contracts are preferred due to bad experiences with longer term contracts (from both a price and service perspective).

Q: WANRack plans to respond to this 470.
A: Understood, thanks for your interest.

Q: The 470 and RFP both say to refer to the device list provided for quantities of Devices, There is not a list that includes quantities, Can you send me the Device count and if you have them separated by School, Also you are requesting maintenance, how much time are you requesting? 12 to 60 months are available
A: PLease note the following: www.mye-binder.com/rfpqa_files/LZITCW.pdf

Q: Sentinel intends to respond to this ITB.
A: Understood, thanks for your interest.