2024FY Questions

FY 2024 Question:

The RFP requests Leased Lit or Dark Fiber to 5 sites but Dark Fiber is not included on their 470. It is my understanding that we can not pursue a Dark Fiber Bid unless it is included on the 470 Form itself.

If we want to pursue a Dark Fiber solution, I believe it will need to be on the 470.

Answer:

This is accurate.  The actual request is the filled 470.  I had Dark fiber wrote into my RFP document, and you are welcome to bid it, however for the purpose of E-rate and my 470, it is just for lit services at this time. 

FY 2024 Question:

I wanted to double check that the language below is supposed to be in the RFP and there is no exceptions.

 Page 9, Section 5.2 Non-responsive Bids states:

 In addition to the criterion listed in other sections of this RFP, the Respondent’s bid responses

will be deemed non-responsive by the District and will be rejected without further consideration

or evaluation if statements such as the following are included:

• “This bid does not constitute a binding offer.”

• “This bid will be valid only if this offer is selected as a finalist or in the competitive

range.”

• “The Respondent does not commit or bind itself to any terms and conditions by this

submission.”

• “This document and all associated documents are non-binding and shall be used for

discussion purposes only.”

• “This bid will not be binding on either party until incorporated in a definitive agreement

signed by authorized representatives of both parties.”

• A statement of similar intent.

Answer:

At one point our district had a consultant, and that language was added at their recommendation on a RFP and is in all our RFPs to this day.  These statements protect the bidder as well as us. 

Your bid must be a true offer.  To bid with the language that the bid is “not a binding offer” or that you will not “commit to the terms and conditions”, then the bid will be deemed nonresponsive and evaluated as such. 

FY 2024 Question:

Can we get an extension due to questions not flowing correctly?

Answer:

Yes we will extend our bidding process to 3-1-2024 for all proposals due to technical difficulties with answering questions on time.