About this opportunity
AI summaryNETC seeks proposals for Internet, WAN, PRI, and leased fiber or equivalent services to connect participating Dartmouth-Hitchcock healthcare provider sites. Responding contractors must supply private network services, commodity internet connections, static IP addresses as needed, and fiber path routes with lengths and operational availability expectations. Only onshore U.S. organizations are eligible to bid, and vendors will perform all work offsite. Responders must submit electronic proposals signed by an authorized negotiator, formatted using the solicitation numbering convention, and including proof of required liability and worker's compensation insurance policies. Vendors may submit questions to [email protected], and answers will post to www.netelc.org. NETC evaluates proposals to determine the most cost-effective solution under Healthcare Connect Fund rules, incorporating experience with the vendor at a 20% weight alongside overall costs. Proposals must remain valid for one year or until contract signing.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- NETC
- Solicitation No.
- RFP-3511
Scope of work
- Multipoint-to-multipoint Layer 2 WAN service (E-LAN or equivalent) connecting specified healthcare provider locations
- Ethernet Dedicated Internet Access (EDIA) connections from 10 Gbps to 15 Gbps
- Dedicated Single Mode Leased Dark Fiber (or equivalent) strand runs connecting designated sites
- Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) services (or equivalent) supporting concurrent calls
- Primary Rate Interface (PRI) services (or equivalent)
- Fiber path routes, route length, and transmission path length documentation
- Configuration and installation of core and edge network equipment
- Service Level Agreement meeting specified operational metrics
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Costs | 20% |
| Ease of Implementation | 20% |
| Experience with Vendor | 20% |
| Technical Merit of Proposal | 20% |
| Compliance with HCF Payment Process and Rules | 20% |
Minimum qualifications
- Current FCC Registration Number (FRN)
- Current USAC 498 ID (also known as a Service Provider Identification Number or SPIN)
- Trained and qualified employees to perform the work and operate required equipment
- Demonstrated necessary facilities, experience, ability, and financial resources
Documents to include with your response
- Signed electronic proposal
- Designation of authorized negotiator
- Name and qualifications of assigned project manager
- Proof of insurance policies
- Pricing for requested services and all listed bandwidth increments
- Operational expectations for network metrics and Service Level Agreement terms
- Fiber (or equivalent) path routes, route length, and transmission path length
- Listing of credit allowances and/or refunds for outages
- Professional references from similar projects
- Detailed listing of experience with FCC Rural Healthcare USF program and process
Key dates
- Questions due
- on or before the 14th day following the posting of this RFP on the USAC website
- Answers to questions posted
- on or before the 20th day following the posting of this RFP on the USAC website
- Proposals due
- prior to the Allowable Contract Selection Date (ACSD) listed on USAC’s website
- Expected bid evaluation period
- 7 days after the RFP end date
How to submit
- Method
- Instructions
- Submit electronically in Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (preferred) to [email protected] with NETC RFP-3511 Proposal in the email subject line.
Contract details
- Term
- Up to a 120-month term, with particular interest in 36-month agreements
- Place of performance
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock locations and facilities across New Hampshire and Vermont
- Insurance and bonding
- General Liability Insurance, Worker's Compensation, and Employer's Liability Insurance covering all personnel and damages, in amounts reasonably determined by the vendor, with proof provided with the proposal.
- Funding
- FCC Healthcare Connect Fund (Universal Service Fund program administered by USAC)