E-Rate #270001837

E-Rate cellular hotspot plans and internet circuits for Malama Honua PCS District

Malama Honua PCS District is seeking E-Rate-supported connectivity for three Hawaii school locations, including cellular hotspot plans and internet circuits. - Government buyer: Malama Honua PCS District, a Hawaii public/charter school district; locations are in Waimanalo, Honolulu County. No specific sub-agency or office is identified. - OEMs and vendors: No cellular carrier, equipment manufacturer, or OEM is specified. Spectrum is identified as the provider of the district’s current internet circuits. - Requested services: - At least 15 cellular data plans for existing hotspot devices across three locations. Plans must support physical SIM cards or eSIM profiles, native 5G and 4G LTE Advanced, and target at least 25 Mbps download / 3 Mbps upload per device. The Form 470 lists a 5–50 Mbps capacity range. Bidders must disclose data caps and throttling; educational use must retain at least 10 Mbps download under applicable throttling. - Three non-fiber internet access and transport circuits. The RFP describes current service at 600/35 Mbps, with upgrades up to 940 Mbps download; another passage describes an upgrade up to 940/50 Mbps. The Form 470 instead lists three 10 Mbps units, so the documents contain conflicting capacity specifications that bidders should verify. - Quote an optional three-circuit fiber alternative at 50 Mbps symmetric if available. The RFP’s wording for this alternative is unclear. - Other notable requirements: Installation and initial configuration are requested for the Form 470 service categories. Bidders must identify eligible and ineligible costs, provide required E-Rate information, and offer the lowest corresponding price. Selection also considers whether the solution meets district needs, provider experience and E-Rate capability, and local presence. Any award depends on E-Rate funding and board approval. - Competition: Potential providers of comparable cellular and internet services include AT&T Mobility, Verizon, T-Mobile, Hawaiian Telcom, and Spectrum.

Description

Malama Honua PCS District is seeking bids for Category 1 services, including cellular data plans for 15 or more existing mobile hotspots serving remote locations in Hawaii. The plans must work with the district’s existing hotspot hardware and support 5G and 4G LTE Advanced connectivity; the RFP also describes performance requirements, data-throttling disclosures, and eligible-service pricing requirements. The Form 470 additionally lists internet access and data transmission service for three entities, with a minimum and maximum capacity of 10 Mbps each. Bids are subject to Hawaii public procurement requirements and applicable federal FCC E-rate rules.

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