REBID Q1-CY25 Metro Ethernet (IFB)

The contract involves a rebid of a statewide fiber-based Metro Ethernet transport service for the Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology, with a focus on high-bandwidth point-to-point connections ranging from 20MB to 1GB. The procurement emphasizes reliability, guaranteed synchronous bandwidth, 99.98% availability, and low latency, with installation required within 180 days of contract award. The scope covers connecting numerous agency locations statewide to Illinois Century Network (ICN) Points of Presence, with the vendor responsible for installation, maintenance, monitoring, and coordination, including VLAN and QoS management. The contract incorporates Illinois state statutes, administrative codes, and federal laws governing procurement, equal opportunity, taxes, and environmental standards, and mandates compliance with Business Enterprise Program (BEP) and Veterans Business Program (VBP) participation goals, including submission of a Utilization Plan and Participation Agreement, which become binding contractual obligations. Pricing is structured through line items in BidBuy, with each site and bandwidth tier treated separately, requiring bidders to submit comprehensive costs including monthly recurring charges, one-time installation, and special construction costs. All pricing must be all-inclusive, covering mandatory optional tiers, with no additional charges post-award. The evaluation process prioritizes responsiveness, responsibility, and BEP/VBP compliance, followed by price, with award going to the lowest responsible, responsive bidder meeting all criteria. The contract stipulates that service must be operational within 180 days, with liquidated damages for delays, and acceptance is contingent upon successful testing by the Department at each site. The agreement incorporates detailed representations, certifications, background checks, and special clauses on security, conflict of interest, amendments, and subcontractor disclosures, ensuring comprehensive compliance and accountability. Proposal submissions are exclusively via BidBuy, due by October 2, 2025, with detailed instructions on document uploads, format, and contact procedures, emphasizing the importance of timely, complete, and compliant electronic submissions.