RBHN HCF FY2025-03
** All proposals are due via email by 11:59:59 PM on 03/07/25 (the day prior to ACSD)
Go to:
https://opendata.usac.org/stories/s/RHC-Posted-Services-Tool/8wan-j4cu
Enter Funding Year 2025 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 03/08/25. 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 03/07/25 (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 on the first tab of the spreadsheet.
Include the finished spreadsheet as a separate file within the electronic bid proposal copy.
Questions about the RFP can be sent to pappleton@r-ahec.org. 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. For the two requests associated with The Friendly Home, Is the customer looking for an alternative provider for the backup request or is the current vendor also able to bid on this request?
A: The Friendly Home is seeking alternate provider/path for the circuit, but the current provider could propose a solution that could accomplish it.
5. Question – On the SHS list of parts, the following is listed without a quantity.
Are we being asked to provide pro services, configuration of the Cisco gear?
Are we being asked to physically install the same?
A: Yes, to both questions. If they have those services, Spectrum Health and Human Services would like to make sure it’s a turn-key solution. They do not have the resources with the knowledge to perform those tasks.
6. For the Global Protect, do you know if it is for more that 50 concurrent connections? CheckPoint prices out differently and they start with a minimum 50 concurrent connections and then in different quantity packages beyond that so want to be sure the correct quantity needed is covered.
A: It would significantly be under 50.
7. Seeking clarification on the RFP, equipment requests;
On the SHHS-Equipment-Requests-3 excel sheet, Lines 2, 3, 8, and 10, the equipment request states the following:
A. Cisco Catalyst 9300 C9300-48P-4X Layer 3 Switch – 48 Ports Manageable – Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet – 10/100/1000BaseT, 10GBase-X – 3 Layer Supported – Modular – Twisted Pair, Optical Fiber PoE Ports (or equivalent)
Rack-mountable Cisco Power Supply – 1000 Cisco Stack Kit 10Gb SFP Plus optics for all SFP ports. (or equivalent)
B. Rack-mountable Cisco Power Supply – 1000 Cisco Stack Kit 10Gb SFP Plus optics for all SFP ports. (or equivalent)
C. Advanced Threat Prevention, Advanced URL Filtering (IPS Security and SD-WAN). Next-Gen Firewall and Web Security with Threat Protection (or equivalent)
D. Cloud Network Security Monitoring and Management Software Subscription for all sites
Related questions to each of those line items:
- A Catalyst switch with “4X” typically indicates a fixed-uplink switch with Qty 4x 10GB uplinks. However, the request also lists “Modular,” instead indicating a modular network uplink card that contains 8x 10GB ports. Could you clarify which is desired? We don’t need modular, we like to stick with fixed-uplink 4=10GB C9300L-48PF-4X data sheet. 48 PoE ports
- Could you further clarify if 4x, 8x, or some other desired quantity of 10GB SFP Plus optics are needed depending on which option is desired above? 4x 10GB SFP is needed only.
- Lastly, could you clarify if the 10GB SFP optics need to be Single-mode fiber or multi-mode fiber and the requested fiber link distance? Multi-mode
- To clarify on the power supply, is the request for a secondary power supply, 1000W equivalent, that is embedded into the secondary power supply slot on the 9300 (not rack-mountable…) in addition to the first primary power supply, or is this request for the primary power supply only? We need both 1100W power supplies.
- For the request on the advanced threat protection/URL filtering firewall, is the minimum bandwidth field (10000) indicating that the firewall must meet a minimum of 10GB of throughput with the requested features enabled? Yes, we like to see at least 1G throughput.
If not, can you please specify the required throughput of the firewall device? Yes, we like to see at least 1G throughput.
- Can you also clarify required uplink/downlink speeds and interface types (Copper, Fiber, etc.) Copper is sufficient
- As this request is repeated several times throughout the RFP, are all locations assumed to be the exact same specifications? Yes, the buildout will be cookie cutter design with the 9300L switches only.
4. Could you elaborate on what is meant by “Cloud Network Security Monitoring and Management Software Subscription for all sites”? Yes, we would like to see a cloud-based solution to monitor/manage the Cisco gear in a centralized window pane.
a. Is this intended to be for monitoring/management of the “Advanced threat protection, URL filtering, etc. Firewalls” only? No, we like to include the 9300L and firewalls, security gateways, and other UTM systems.
b. Is this intended for an MDR type service, and if so, for what devices/scope specifically? NO., not looking for additional MDR, network monitoring of network devices and security appliances.
c. Is this referring to more of a SASE service for end-user traffic monitoring? If so, how many end users? NO., not looking for additional MDR, network monitoring of network devices and security appliances.
8. What level of installation and configuration services are expected for the equipment being provided?
A. Please see the answer to Question 5 at the following link. https://r-ahec.org/rfp-fy2025-03-posted/
9. Do you have a network schematic for the locations of the equipment?
A. No network schematic is provided for the RFP, please see the following link that shows the requested hardware and where the physical hardware will reside.
10. Is your focus solely on leasing the required hardware, software, and professional services? Are you looking for proposals that include only leased services with monthly recurring costs (MRC) and nonrecurring costs (NRC)? Please clarify.
A. In general consortium participants intend to purchase equipment. We are not looking for only leased services with MRC and NRC costs. Please see section 5.1.2 of the RFP for additional information.
11. If we recommends multiple carriers, does that count as one bid/vendor?
A. Anything submitted by a particular vendor would count as one bid regardless of the number of carriers that vendor uses to implement a potential solution.
Bid under existing contract:
12. Are we permitted to submit a bid under any existing contracts, such as those with Group Purchasing Organizations (GPO)?
A. Please see Section 6.1 of the RFP regarding Contract Acceptance.
Request for extension:
13. Based on the details required to draft a response to this RFP, could you please consider extending the due date for the RFP submission by two weeks to allow us more time to prepare a comprehensive proposal?
A. The due date for this RFP will not be extended.
6.2 Evergreen Contracts:
14. How will pricing adjustments be handled throughout the term of the evergreen contract to account for changes in costs or market conditions?
A. Please see section 6.2 of the RFP regarding Evergreen Contracts.
A. Please see section 6.3 of the RFP regarding Contract Modifications and Provisions.
A. Please see section 6.3.3 of the RFP regarding Rate Stabilization.
A. Please see section 6.3.5 of the RFP regarding Proper Notification.
7.3 HCP Payments Prior to Funding Approval:
15. In the event that the funding is not fully approved, what procedures will be in place to manage the excess payments made by HCPs during the Funding Review Period?
A. Please see section 7.3 and 7.4 of the RFP regarding HCP Payment prior to and after Funding Approval.
16. What will be the impact on bidders if the funding is not fully approved?
A. Please see section 7.3 and 7.4 of the RFP regarding HCP Payment prior to and after Funding Approval.
3.4.4 Service Delivery Deadline:
17. Will there be any penalties imposed on vendors for non-compliance or other issues during the contract term?
A. Please see section 3.4.4 of the RFP regarding Service Delivery Deadlines. Please also be aware that if Service Delivery Deadlines are not met the participating HCP may lose the ability to invoice for any committed funding.
18. Services for Catholic Health ask for EP-LAN but only list the A location. Can you provide the address of the Z locations? Same thing with Horizon Health and Spectrum Health and Human Services on their EP-LAN circuits.
A. A: For the following sites under Horizon Health all sites should be able to communicate to all others. The head end (Z) is 55 Dodge Rd and 3020 Bailey Ave where Internet Access is located.
A. For Catholic Health there is no real Z location.. as it is a Ring where Sisters and Victory are hubs and Mount St. Mary and Father Baker are spokes that go to both Sisters and Victory.
19. We also plan on providing Alternate bundled pricing. Where would you like to see that on the bid?
A. Please include it in your attached pricing format along with any explanation needed.
20. Can you provide any more information regarding the scope of work for the Spectrum Health and Human Services Equipment request?
A. Please see the following document provided by Spectrum Health and Human Services.
https://r-ahec.org/wp-content/uploads/SoW-for-Suppliers.docx
