24-RQ220144-NM E-RATE CATEGORY TWO RFP LITE PROJECT

Solicitation 24-RQ220144-NM is a Request for Proposal Lite issued by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction to establish statewide convenience contracts with qualified vendors for E-Rate Category Two eligible internal connections equipment, installation, maintenance, and managed services. These contracts are designed to support mini-bid procurements for North Carolina Public School Units, including traditional districts and charter schools, as well as eligible libraries. The scope of work is divided into four segments: Internal Connections, Managed Internal Broadband Services, Basic Maintenance of Eligible Broadband Internal Connections, and Structured Cabling. All provided hardware must be new, commercially available, and supported by the original equipment manufacturer, with a minimum 12-month warranty required from the date of operation. The state will utilize a trade-off ranking method to award contracts based on best value, evaluating proposals on total cost of ownership, conformity with specifications, comparative analysis, physical presence in or near North Carolina, and past performance. Proposals must be submitted via the Ariba Sourcing Module by November 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. Awarded vendors must comply with FCC E-Rate Eligible Services List requirements, E-Verify regulations, and various safety and technical standards, including ADA, OSHA, and the National Electrical Code. Contract administration is managed by the NCDPI School Connectivity Division, with payments issued within 30 days of invoice receipt, contingent upon the availability of funds.