Internet Access Services

Montgomery County Public Schools is soliciting proposals from qualified telecommunications service providers to provide high-capacity Internet Access services for approximately 255 sites. The required service must be delivered via fiber optic facilities to designated data centers in Rockville and Germantown, Maryland. Technical requirements include a minimum full-duplex logical throughput of 60 Gbps, scalable up to 500 Gbps in 10 Gbps increments, support for BGP routing, and continuous automated DDoS monitoring and mitigation. The provider must also offer 24x7x365 technical support through a Network Operations Center and adhere to a comprehensive Service Level Agreement covering availability, latency, and repair times. The contract is structured for an initial five-year term with options for up to five additional one-year renewals, with a target deployment date of July 1, 2027. Award selection is primarily based on the most favorable and cost-effective unit pricing, though technical performance, K-12 experience, and reliability are also considered. Proposals must be submitted in PDF and Excel formats by November 25, 2026. Key administrative terms include a 30-day payment cycle via electronic methods and strict requirements for the approval of subcontractors and the maintenance of professional certifications. Additionally, the contractor must comply with E-rate eligibility and various federal and state accessibility and safety laws.