E-Rate Category 2 Project

The Meridian Public School District wishes to upgrade its E-Rate eligible category 2 Equipment and Basic Maintenance. The District is seeking a two-year contract to cover the 2024 funding year for all Internal Connections Equipment and Services requested in the proposed RFP. Pricing for Internal Connections Equipment and Services must remain in effect and must be honored until the service delivery deadline for the 2024 funding year which is normally September 30th, 2025. If the service delivery deadline is extended for any reason, prices must be honored until the final C2 service delivery deadline for Funding Year 2024. In order to be eligible to bid, all prospective bidders must attend the mandatory vendor meeting. The vendor meeting will be held at the Meridian Public School District Technology Building located at 3951 12th St Meridian MS 30307 on March 18th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. The purpose of this meeting is to allow potential bidders an opportunity to present questions and obtain

clarification of the requirements of the bid documents. Because the Meridian Public School District considers the meeting to be critical to understanding the bid requirements, attendance is mandatory in order to qualify as a bidder.1 No transcript or minutes from this meeting will be created or available. Proposals from vendors who do not attend the vendor meeting WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Nothing discussed or information provided during the mandatory vendor meeting shall be construed as changing the scope of this procurement as set forth in this RFP. Anything discussed or any information provided during the mandatory vendor meeting shall be interpreted in light of this RFP; if there is any conflict or perceived conflict between this RFP and information provided or statements made during the mandatory vendor meeting, this RFP shall govern.2 At the time of the vendor meeting, all bidders will be expected to complete and turn in the “Site Visit Information Form” furnished in this document. The RFP will consist of Equipment and Installation. Vendors will be required to bid on all parts of the RFP. Vendors may also bid to serve some but not all of the sites. Any discounts for bundled pricing or winning more than one portion of the RFP will be considered and allowed. Intent to Bid Meridian Public School District requests that all vendors interested in submitting a proposal complete the Letter of Intent to Bid that is provided at the end of this document. The Letter of Intent to Bid should be emailed to Tim Boutwell at tboutwell@mpsdk12.net prior to March 19th, 2024 11:59 p.m. If an email reply is not received within 24 hours, it is the responsibility of the respondent to call Tim Boutwell at 601- 484-4957 to confirm receipt of your Letter of Intent to Bid. 1 See Mississippi Public Procurement Review Board, Office of Personal Service Contract Review Rules and Regulations, § 3-302.07 (addressing mandatory pre-bid conferences). 2 Id. (“Nothing stated at the pre-bid conference shall change the Invitation for Bids unless a change is made by written amendment”). 3 Submitting a Letter of Intent to Bid does not commit you to bidding. The Letter of Intent to Bid is not a requirement to submit a proposal, however the mandatory vendor meeting is a requirement to bid. In the case of inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, all vendors who have submitted the Letter of Intent to Bid will be notified of a change to the mandatory vendor meeting date or time.