RBHN HCF FY2026-02
** All proposals are due via email by 11:59:59 PM on 01/14/26 (the day prior to ACSD)
Go to:
https://opendata.usac.org/stories/s/RHC-Posted-Services-Tool/8wan-j4cu
Enter Funding Year 2026 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 01/15/2026. 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 01/14/25 (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. It appears that Rochester Regional has requested the same service twice at the same address. If you look at the bidder spreadsheet, lines 53 and 54 both list Rochester Regional requesting Internet access with the same bandwidth of 2000. I’m wondering if line 54 should actually reflect a different bandwidth—perhaps 5000 or 10,000?
A: No, as of the time the RFP was submitted to USAC the bandwidth listed on the RFP was correct. However, per the FCC form 461 that was submitted with the RFP we will accept bids for similar services.
5. Are the equipment requests listed in “RFP FY2026-02 Oak Orchard Equipment Request” related to the managed SD-WAN requests for Oak Orchard listed in “RFP FY2026-02 Locations for Vendors“?
A: No, each request is separate from one another. Oak Orchard is looking for bids for a potential equipment purchase and separately bids for managed SD-WAN service.
6. Will Oak Orchard pay 100% of vendor invoices upon equipment shipment/delivery regardless of when they “need” the gear which appears to be in July?
A: Please be aware that with any equipment purchase the equipment cannot be received and/or invoiced prior to the fiscal year in which funding is being requested. This means that the equipment should not be shipped or invoiced prior to July 1st, 2026.
Regarding payment, typically with equipment purchases the organization pays the vendor 100% of the invoice then is reimbursed once the vendor receives the funding. This however, is not a set rule and it is up to the vendor and the organization purchasing the equipment to decide how they will handle the purchase.
7. It appears the pro services configuration and managed services of the equipment ‘may’ be requested but, is not being asked for at this time, is that the case?
A: Yes, that is the case. Professional services have been listed and have had funding requests submitted for them in the past. For this specific equipment request professional services were not specifically requested.
7. What are the Z locations for the following two requests?
A: The top site is the hub with all the following locations connecting back to it.
| 3 TOUNTAS AVE, LE ROY, NY 14482 |
| 99 MED TECH DR STE 104, BATAVIA, NY 14020 |
| 6966 W Bergen Rd, Bergen, NY 14416 |
| 372 BLOOMINGDALE RD STE 2, Akron, NY 14001 |
| 100 OHIO ST STE 2, MEDINA, NY 14103 |
| 11225 Maple Ridge Rd, Medina, NY 14103 |
The bottom site connects to 1 Exchange Blvd and completes a connection to 1425 Portland Ave.
