RFP Requests for Clarification

Overview

After looking at your RFP, TdS states you want/prefer one provider, typically wholesale deals don’t resell an internet connection without adding a WAN on top for the transport. If a company was going to bid on 4 sites are you putting more weight on one provider or the per site cost of the internet which will probably be better independently through multiple providers?

Answer: We would prefer to have one vendor manage the network and provide service, and if you need to add WAN on top of the transport to make that happen, then we encourage you to do that. We'll leave it up to you to create the most cost-effective solution. If you wish to create a proposal for some of the sites, you can surely submit that proposal.

Section 1 Scope of Services Item 1.1

Does TdS wish to have site to site connectivity or are you just requesting Internet?

Answer: We are requesting just Internet for the sites. We currently use RDP connections between libraries, but we shouldn't need a WAN layer (for site to site) to make that happen

Section 1 Scope of Service Item 1.15

What are you looking for with the Record of Service Availability?

Answer: The Record of Service Availability is a record of how "available" your network is - your network's up-time (ex. 99.7%). You can use the last 12 months to show this. Also include the MTTR information.

Section 4 E-Rate Requirement Item 4.4

What are the RLTA Funding criteria, rates and limits?

Are there any E-Rate in-eligible expenses or fees that are eligible for RLTA funding?

Answer: RLTA will reimburse the entire non-discount portion of E-rate eligible expenses for MN public libraries. These allocated funds are agreed upon by the State of MN and the 12 Regional Library Systems, based on previous years spending. In addition, for TdS, RLTA will reimburse the participation/administration costs for membership in a School/Library telecommunications consortium, with a limit of $774.19/year per site.

Item A

Please verify the site addresses below:

Answer:

Madelia Public Library - correction

23 1st St NW,

Madelia, MN

Winthrop Public Library - correction

305 N Main St,

Winthrop, MN

Hanska Public Library - clarification

109 Broadway St. - new address change (effective on 12/2017)

Hanska, MN