2023-2024 E-Rate RFP Documentation

Welcome to the 2023-2024 E-Rate RFP Documentation page for Huerfano School District Re-1.

  • District’s BEN: 142372
  • District’s FCCRN: 0011609328

Category 1 Services:

For the 2023-2024 Funding Year, we are seeking Request for Proposals for the following Category 1 services: (Links to RFP’s will be posted here and on the USAC portal). Please review RFP’s for details regarding each category one service requested.

  1. (RFP-Cat1-FY23-1) – Internet Access with Transport Services Bundled – Re-1.
  2. (RFP-Cat1-FY23-2) – Internet Access with Transport Services Bundled – Gardner.
  3. (RFP-Cat1-FY23-7) – Self-Provisioned Broadband Network

Category 2 Services:

For the 2023-2024 Funding Year, we are also seeking Request for Proposals for the following Category 2 services: (Links to RFP’s will be posted here and on the USAC portal). Please review RFP’s for details regarding each category two service requested.

  1. (RFP-Cat2-FY23-4) – Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) – Battery Backups
  2. (RFP-Cat2-FY23-6) – Network Switches
  3. (RFP-Cat2-FY23-6) – Wireless Access Points
  4. (RFP-Cat2-FY23-7) – Internal Connections – Structured Low-Voltage Cabling

More Information can be found on the USAC EPC Portal.

FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. Network Switches:  Would you be open to 1G switch ports or is 2.5G a hard requirement?
A. Our RFP was setup in such a way that if the specs for one option can’t be met for a direct comparison, we’ll use the lesser spec option. Thus, both the Network Switch and Wireless Access Points RFP’s allow for a lesser spec.
The 2.5G hardware spec is recommended, HOWEVER, the specs for option 1b allows for 1G RJ45 connectors instead. Option 1b is the lowest spec that we are willing to look at.
Q. Network Aggregation Switches:  Would you be open to 1G switch ports or is 10G a hard requirement?
A. Our intent is to utilize the aggregation switch as a central “hub” to link all of the other switches in the rack together, as in a “hub and spoke” type setup.
Therefore, the network aggregation switch will need to have multiple 10G ports (SFP+) available.
Q. Network Aggregation Switches:  Do you require 28-ports or will 24-ports suffice?
A. If a comparable option to 2a isn’t available with the number of ports, we will consider a comparable solution to option 2b. Since we are offering a second option for this “hub and spoke” setup, we can accept as few as 12 SFP+ connectors per aggregation switch.
Q. Wireless Access Points:  Do you require 4×4 5GHz or would 2×2 suffice?
A. Similar to the network switch RFP, we are looking for best case scenario with minimum specs. We are looking for 4×4 5GHz, due to the anticipated number of devices that will connect to the network.
Specifically, if the manufacturer does not offer an access point with “4 x 4 (DL/UL MU-MIMO) for 5GHz Frequency”, quote the best product that closely matches that preferred spec, and provide detailed information how that spec change may or may not affect overall performance.
Q. WiFi/Internet Access:  How many daily users do you see on the network?
A. This was partially answered on our RFPs, “RFP-Cat2-FY23-1”, and “RFP-Cat2-FY23-2” in Part I, Number 3.
  • Peakview and Walsenburg Jr Sr High School (our Main Campus) has approximately 430 students and 60 staff. It is estimated to see approximately 550 average daily devices on the network.
  • The District Administration Office has currently 6 staff.  It is estimated to see approximately 15 average daily devices on the network.
  • Gardner Valley School has approximately 80 students and 12 staff.  It is estimated to see approximately 150 average daily devices on the network.
Q. WiFi/Internet Access:  Is there any 1:1 or BYOD program planned or in place?
A. We do have a 1:1 Chromebook distribution to all of our students in Kindergarten through Twelfth grades.
Q. Since we are your current solution/vendor, Should we submit our bid with all the additional information, like references, history of the company, summary of qualifications, etc. (found in Part II, p. 6 of the RFP).
A. For continuity purposes, please include the information requested, such as references.
Q. Internet Access:  It appears you want the Elementary School (Peakview) to be the head end of your network and have the primary IA connection terminate.  From there you are requesting a fiber WAN connection to the Admin Building.
A.  Per our RFPs, we are seeking an Internet connection to be installed at Peakview School, which is our elementary school.  Our main campus currently has 1gbps non-dedicated fiber internet access coming into Peakview School.  We are wanting our headend to be located at Peakview School. It is acceptable for the district administration office to have a separate connection, or it can be part of the same WAN. Our Current provider has a headend/fiber popsite located elsewhere in town and has both bridged in a WAN connection, allowing both sites to utilize the same public IP address space.  They are technically considered separate circuits as far as I can tell, even though they have the ports bridged/vlaned.
Q.   Internet Access:  On the other 470 it appears you are requesting stand alone internet connectivity to the Charter School.  Is this what you are looking to accomplish?
A.  Gardner Valley School is needing to be a different connection altogether. Due to the nature of the Charter School needing to purchase services out of its budget, this would be a separate service from the remainder of the district.
 
Gardner is an unincorporated township 25 miles North West of Walsenburg.  Currently there is no major infrastructure directly available to the school – CenturyLink has a phone service CO located in the township, but the location of Gardner is isolated enough, where their capabilities are extremely limited.  Yes, Gardner Valley School will end up with a stand alone internet connection from the remainder of the district, which is why a separate RFP and USAC form 470 was issued.
Currently, Gardner Valley School receives their Internet Access through a WISP.