MDP Switches

The Jones County School System (JCSS) in Georgia issued Solicitation PE-55267-NONST-2026-000000034 for the procurement of Main Distribution Frame (MDF) switches and related networking equipment for use at select elementary school locations. The solicitation, posted on November 18, 2025, seeks proposals for 26 to 33 units of specified HPE Aruba switches, power supplies, and direct attach cables, or approved equivalents as detailed in the Scope of Work. No installation or configuration services are included; the requirement is strictly for delivery of compliant hardware. The contract term extends from award through the current fiscal year with the possibility of five one-year renewals at JCSS’s discretion. Delivery is FOB destination to designated school sites within Georgia, with inside delivery and coordination around school schedules expected. Proposals must be submitted electronically via BidNet Direct by December 19, 2025, with a mandatory pre-bid Zoom meeting scheduled for December 1, 2025, to clarify solicitation details. Submissions comprise two separately sealed volumes: a Technical Proposal and a Cost Proposal. The Technical Proposal must include mandatory forms and certifications such as the Certificate of Non-Collusion, District Certification, Immigration and Security Affidavit compliant with Georgia’s Security and Immigration Compliance Act, a Tax Compliance Form, and IRS W-9. Technical responses will be evaluated on pass/fail mandatory criteria and scored on quality factors such as equipment specifications, lead times, and pricing guarantees, constituting 40% of evaluation weight. Cost proposals carry 60% weight, with award based on best value trade-off rather than lowest price alone. The contract includes JCSS Standard Terms and Conditions emphasizing compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws including Buy American provisions, non-collusion, confidentiality, security requirements, and insurance coverage standards. Inspection and acceptance will occur at JCSS facilities, with JCSS retaining sole discretion to accept or reject delivered equipment based on conformity with specifications. While specific pricing data is not provided, vendors must submit detailed cost worksheets broken down by school location. The solicitation does not require socioeconomic status certifications or federal UEI/CAGE codes but mandates full tax and legal compliance documentation. Overall, the contract reflects a structured, legally compliant procurement process focused on acquiring specified networking hardware for JCSS infrastructure upgrades under the E-RATE funding program.