Network Switches for E-Rate Funding Year 2025

The El Paso Independent School District is soliciting proposals under RFP 25-014 Addendum 1 for the upgrade of electronic infrastructure across 68 campuses. This project focuses on refreshing core, distribution, and access network switches using E-Rate Funding Year 2025. The scope of work includes the design, implementation, and configuration of a secure, high-performance network, specifically requiring hardware equivalent to Cisco Nexus and Catalyst models. Key technical deliverables include the deployment of layer 2/3 routing, VLANs, and VRF-aware services, as well as the provision of as-built documentation and the secure sanitization of legacy hardware. The contract is structured as a stand-by requirements agreement with an initial one-year term and options to extend up to 36 months. Award selection is based on best value rather than lowest price, with evaluation weights heavily favoring purchase price, quality of goods and services, and the extent to which the proposal meets district needs. Because the project utilizes federal E-Rate funding, vendors must comply with EDGAR certifications, 2 CFR Section 200 regulations, and prohibitions on covered telecommunications equipment from specific entities such as Huawei and ZTE. Proposals must be submitted by February 28, 2025, via the district's electronic bid system or in a specific hard-copy format. Required documentation includes a vendor questionnaire, felony conviction disclosure, conflict of interest questionnaire, and W-9 form. All equipment must be delivered to the James Gamble Facility in El Paso, Texas, and personnel performing on-site work must undergo criminal history record information checks per the Texas Education Code.