FY2026 C2 Pastrick Branch 470 - East Chicago Public Library

USAC recommends IC, MIBS, and BMIC be listed on all Category 2 470 applications. All bidders are encouraged to: 1. Read and follow the RFPs carefully. 2. Adhere to the FCC E-Rate rules. . Request for Proposals FY2026 Internal Connections to Pastrick Branch - East Chicago Public Library is seeking proposals for a project to supply network equipment at its eligible location Robert A. Patrick Library, 1008 W Chicago Ave, East Chicago, IN 46312. 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 Applicant 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 prefers that the selected vendor be willing to utilize the E-Rate SPI form of invoicing (discounted invoices). . Project Scope - East Chicago Public Library 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. . No Installation will be needed for this project. Each bid should include all documentation regarding equipment. . Site Visits No Site Visits will be scheduled. . Questions - Any questions related to the technical aspects of this document should be directed to Michael Acsbok, Associate Director Information Technology, at macsbok@ecpl.org, no later than 3PM CST on Friday, January 23,2026. Please copy Chastity Hinshaw, Consultant, at chastity.hinshaw@adtecerate.com. Answers to any written questions or any additional information, revisions, or clarifications to the RFP will be provided in the form of an addendum to be posted with the FCC Form 470 on the Universal Service (E-Rate) website. It is the sole responsibility of the Service Provider to check for any addenda that may be issued. . APPENDIX A Below is a reference of the type of equipment and capacities (or their equivalent) to be supplied. Bidders should price separately and clearly indicate any ineligible costs for all services and equipment associated with this RFP. If a product includes mixed functionality, please indicate the allocation for each function (i.e. 60% Internal Connections and 40% BMIC). For any part numbers that have been updated or replaced by the manufacturer, bidders should offer the most similar current part. Qty - Manu - Part Number - Description 8+/- Meraki - MR44 - Cisco Meraki MR44 2x2:2 + 4x4:4 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 with Multigigabit Ethernet Access Point 8+/- Meraki - LIC-ENT-3YR - Cisco Meraki Enterprise Cloud Controller License, 3 Year 20+/- Meraki - Connectors, & any related components as recommended by the vendor necessary for the network infrastructure.
Requested services (5 line items): - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Wireless Access Points And Necessary Software And Licenses - Category 2 — Internal Connections — Antennas, Connectors, And Related Components - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Antennas, Connectors, And Related Components - Category 2 — Managed Internal Broadband Services — Existing Equipment - Category 2 — Basic Maintenance Of Internal Connections — Wireless Access Points
State/local procurement requirements: BE ADVISED: No email address or phone number associated with this RFP or Form 470 should be added to any marketing distribution or phone list. The Applicant respectfully requests that any contact be specific to this request. Any other contact is discouraged. . Proposals must be prepared with specificity with regard to the services listed herein. Bids merely listing a general menu of services available from a vendor, bids appearing to be automatically generated without specificity in relation to the requirements of this RFP, and bids missing substantial information but inviting the applicant to contact the bidder to refine the bid and/or discuss specifics will not be considered valid bid responses and will be disqualified from consideration. This includes any SPAM and/or robotic responses. For more information, please review the USAC E-Rate News Brief of February 15, 2024. . All 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. 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. . COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIFICATIONS By submitting a proposal, the Service Provider certifies that it has read and agrees to the following terms and conditions. Failure to meet any requirement outlined herein is adequate cause to reject your proposal. -The Service Provider has clearly listed any exceptions to any requirements or conditions set forth in this RFP with which it is unable or unwilling to comply and has included all relevant standard or additional contract terms and conditions with its proposal. Such exceptions, terms, and conditions must be set forth with specificity and may not be incorporated by reference. -The Service Provider agrees that the final contract shall incorporate and not override any terms or conditions set forth in this RFP, minus any agreed-upon exceptions, and that the RFP will be incorporated into the final contract. -The Service Provider agrees to follow and abide by the rules of the E-Rate program as promulgated by USAC and the FCC and certifies that it has not been suspended, debarred, or placed on Red Light Status within the prior three years. Service Provider further agrees that any costs not funded by the E-rate Program due to Service Provider violations of Program rules will be the sole responsibility of the Service Provider. . Failure to meet any requirement in this 470 or RFP will be sufficient cause to disqualify your proposal. . 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 e-mailed to the office of Michael Acsbok, Associate Director Information Technology, at macsbok@ecpl.org, no later than 3PM CST on Friday, February 20, 2026. Please copy Chastity Hinshaw, Consultant, at chastity.hinshaw@adtecerate.com.
Reference documents (Form 470 / RFP): https://publicdata.usac.org/EPC/Prd/Form470/260012860/130298/20848861-USAC_FCC_FORM_470_APPLICATION_260012860_CERTIFIED.pdf, https://publicdata.usac.org/EPC/Prd/Form470/260012860/130298/20847994-FY2026%20C2%20Pastrick%20Branch%20470%20East%20Chicago%20Public%20Library.docx