FY2026 C2 Equipment & MIBS 470 Thea Bowman Leadership Academy

There is no formal RFP for any of the services or equipment requested in this 470, but the following should allow a service provider to prepare a more directed bid. YOU MUST REFER TO THE ASSOCIATED RFP document in EPC for complete details. MIBS is included because USAC has recommended including all three categories on a 470.
Vendors may submit alternative equipment as long as the equipment is an equivalent make and model or serves a similar functionality. Proposal MUST separate E-Rate eligible and E-Rate ineligible products/services by line item.
See associated RFP for complete description. *350+/- Antennas, Connectors and Related Components - Antennas, Connectors, Licenses, Power Supply, Power Cords, Modules, Mounts, and Related Components that enable the functionality of the equipment. Note for APs, UPS, Firewalls: Includes connectors, licenses, power supply, power cords and related components that enable the functionality of the equipment. Note for Switches: Includes license, Wireless LAN recovery, Wireless Service Pack, Software, Support, power supplies, Power Cords, mounts and clips and all related components that enable the functionality of the equipment. Proposal MUST separate E-Rate eligible and E-Rate ineligible products/services by line item. The vendor is responsible to clearly indicate all ineligible costs by line item for all services and equipment associated with this 470. *57+/- The applicant owns 9 MR44, and is seeking 48 more MR44 *9+/- APC UPS APC 1500VA 2U 120V *2+/- Fortinet 200E current replacement *250+/- Drops RJ45, (250+/- drops is an estimate, so 15,000 Ft of Cabling and basic maintenance has been added as a precaution, vendors should bid this as optional) *5+/- Meraki Switch MS120-48FP-HW *3+/- Meraki Switch MS130-48FP-HW 1 or more Installation, Activation & Configuration
The District is seeking proposals for a project to supply and install network equipment at its eligible locations. Bidders are advised that this project will be contingent upon the successful obtaining of Category 2 E-Rate funding, and the contract agreement between the district and the successful bidder must recognize that contingency. The District requires that the selected vendor be willing to utilize the E-Rate SPI form of invoicing (discounted invoices).
The District seeks an agreement that allows it to work with the selected vendor to adjust quantities and/or scale back or cancel the project entirely as needed based upon funding availability and/or the best interests of the Applicant. The Applicant seeks eligible equipment as outlined in Appendix A. Equipment shall be new, factory-sealed equipment currently available from the manufacturer; the Applicant will not accept proposals of used, remanufactured, refurbished, B stock, returns, open-box, discontinued, gray market, or equipment in any other condition other than new and factory-sealed with all original manufacturer warranties.
Installation is requested. Please see the associated RFP for further installation requirements.
A voluntary on-site visit will be held at 3401 West 5th Avenue, Gary, IN 46406 at 10:00 AM CST on January 6, 2026. Vendors must pre-register for this voluntary pre-bid meeting by contacting Dr. Marlon Mitchell, at contact@example.gov no later than 3 PM CST on January 5, 2026. The pre-registration email should include a primary contact (including cell phone and email), and the number of people who will attend the pre-bid meeting.
The voluntary site visit will be the only opportunity to look at the layout of current equipment and installation. The voluntary site visit will be the only opportunity to ask questions or to receive answers related to this RPF. Respondents choosing not to attend in so doing acknowledge their understanding that they were offered and voluntarily declined the opportunity.
In the event that the Thea Bowman Leadership Academy is closed on the date of the scheduled voluntary site visit, an alternate site visit will be scheduled at 10:00 AM CST on January 8, 2026.
The Applicant reserves the right to reject each and every bid, and to waive informalities, irregularities, and errors in the bidding to the extent permitted by law. This includes the right to extend the date and time for receipt of bids. In the event that a responsible bid is not received or if it is determined that the low bid received is too high, the bid received will be rejected and the project will be cancelled or re-bid.
Bids should be e-mailed to the office of Dr. Marlon Mitchell, at contact@example.gov by 10:00 AM CST on February 6, 2026.
Please reference Form 470#: 260007422 on all correspondence.
RFP and E-Rate Released: December 19, 2025 Voluntary Site Visit: 10:00 AM CST on January 6, 2026 Alternate Voluntary Site Visit: 10:00 AM CST January 8, 2026 Bids due: 10:00 AM CST on February 6, 2026
Requested services (16 line items): - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Switches And Necessary Software And Licenses - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Uninterruptable Power Supply/Battery Backup And Necessary Software And Licenses - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Antennas, Connectors, And Related Components - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Firewall Service And Components - Category 2 — Managed Internal Broadband Services — Existing Equipment - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Cabling - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Switches - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Uninterruptable Power Supply/Battery Backup - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Wireless Access Points - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Antennas, Connectors, And Related Components - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Firewall Service, Components, And Necessary Software And Licenses - Category 2 — Managed Internal Broadband Services — Leased Equipment - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Cabling - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Wireless Access Points And Necessary Software And Licenses
State/local procurement requirements: We will consider multi-year contracts with or without voluntary extensions. All cost proposals must reflect the LCP (Lowest Corresponding Price), GSA pricing, and any available governmental unit discounts including existing state purchasing agreements or contracts when applicable. Any proposal referencing an existing state purchasing agreement or contract must include that information in the proposal. Bid prices must be complete for the services proposed and shall include all associated costs, even if the amounts are estimates based upon current applicable taxes, surcharges, or fees. Each line item on proposal should clearly list Quantity, Manufacturer, Part Number, Description, Unit Price, and Extended Price. Proposals MUST separate eligible and ineligible services by line item for all services to which service provider responds. No proposal can be submitted that includes equipment or components for equipment from companies deemed to provide a national security risk as defined by FCC Order 19-121. All bidders are encouraged to: 1. Read and follow the RFP carefully. 2. Adhere to the FCC E-Rate rules. 3. Go to http://adtecerate.com/pdfs/Indiana_Public_Purchasing_Law_5-22.pdf to access Indiana State Public Purchasing Law IC 5-22.
Reference documents (Form 470 / RFP): https://publicdata.usac.org/EPC/Prd/Form470/260007422/16058167/20756956-USAC_FCC_FORM_470_APPLICATION_260007422_CERTIFIED.pdf, https://publicdata.usac.org/EPC/Prd/Form470/260007422/16058167/20756430-FY2026%20RFP%20THEA%20BOWMAN%20LEADERSHIP%20ACADEMY%20FINAL.pdf