North Carolina eVP #Doc1732586773

North Carolina DPI seeks E-Rate Category Two network equipment, managed services, maintenance, and structured cabling

North Carolina DPI is seeking providers for statewide E-Rate Category Two school and library network procurements. - Government buyer: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), Division of Digital Learning and Technology Services, including the School Connectivity Division. - Procurement scope: Statewide convenience contracts for eligible North Carolina public school units and public libraries. Site-specific orders, quantities, and pricing will be set through later mini-bids; no quantities are guaranteed. - Products: Wireless access points and related components, switches and routing functionality, wireless controllers, UPS and battery-backup equipment, eligible firewall and caching components, and required software and licenses. Structured cabling includes copper and fiber cable and related components. - Notable product requirements: Hardware must be new and supported by its OEM for at least five years. New copper cabling must be Category 6A UTP or better. Fiber is specified for locations more than 90 meters from the closest aggregation switch or where speeds above 1 Gbps are required. Structured cabling offers must not specify brands or manufacturers. - Services: Installation, activation, configuration and testing; managed internal broadband services, including managed Wi-Fi; basic maintenance and technical support; and structured cabling installation and verification, with completion documentation where applicable. - Vendor response details: Providers are asked to identify the segments and product lines they offer, provide OEM/brand discounts and service or not-to-exceed rates, and describe relevant equipment ownership, service levels, and North Carolina service coverage. Vendors must distinguish firmware upgrades from extended warranty and on-site service offerings. - OEMs and vendors: No network equipment OEMs or bidding vendors are identified. Microsoft Active Directory and Google are mentioned only as examples of systems that may support client authorization; neither is a required brand.

Description

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction seeks qualified E-Rate service providers for statewide convenience contracts through which participating North Carolina public school units and eligible libraries can procure Category Two products and services via subsequent mini-bids. Offerings may include internal network equipment and software, installation and configuration, managed internal broadband services, basic maintenance and technical support, and structured cabling and related installation. The contracts establish eligible categories and requirements, vendor product lines, minimum discounts from MSRP, and maximum service rates; participating entities will determine their specific needs through mini-bids. No specific quantities are guaranteed.

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