FAQ

Please find below a list of frequently asked questions and answers. If you have question that is not listed below, please contact us here.

Are you requiring Colo to be the Hub site for WAN and an aggregate for internet?

Other solutions are already in the marketplace and this specific RFP intends to use the facility as an aggregation point. Though not technically required, it is highly preferred for both WAN and Internet aggregation.

Will the district consider a point‐to‐point WAN for the sites that are coming out of contract in 2019 and the ones currently on month‐to‐month contracts? The district could then put out 470s in 2020 and 2021 when the remaining sites come out of contract.

Yes – with preference for integration of the “hub” facility as part of the point‐to‐point WAN configuration.

Is it guaranteed that all sites will be in on the new contract? For example, if we price a point‐to‐point network and one or more sites drop out, this will change the pricing for the remaining sites.

No. Individual districts are free to negotiate their own contracts, either individually or as a group or groups, that may result from this procurement.

The RFP does not indicate what the district wants delivered at the hub? Are you asking/allowing over subscription? Basically, I'm asking if you want the sum of the parts to equal what is delivered at the hub. As an example, if you want 1Gb to be delivered to 10 edge sites, then you would be asking for 10Gb to be delivered at the hub. It is very common for districts to only clarify what they want delivered at their edge sites and to neglect to mention the hub. This allows incumbents to over‐subscribe your network.

Are you asking/allowing over subscription? Yes, for Internet Access only.

Will you allow alternate contract lengths? We typically offer districts 5 and 10 year contracts. The E‐Rate Special Construction Rule allows district to drastically buy down their monthly for life. This rule is a game changer and we allow districts to pay off any remaining construction costs after Special Construction over 4 years. Using a three year contract would not allow you to take full advantage of the cost savings associated with Special Construction. Taking these savings into consideration show Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

You may propose any contract term length you wish but applicants are unlikely to consider terms exceeding 5 years.

College Community ‐ The address 401 76th Ave is the address of the main campus. The location name on attachment A is Prairie Edge which is at 5400 Kirkwood Blvd. Please clarify which location this service is to be delivered to?

The address listed in Attachment A is the correct address for WAN/transport circuit service delivery.

Clear Creek Amana, Solon, Vinton Shellsburg ‐ These schools are not shown on attachment A do they have a need for WAN services also?

These locations are not included in this particular procurement though they may need similar/compatible services in future years.

Section 3.05.03 ‐ Can we carry multiple schools on one fiber to the 1900 James Street location if we have redundant fiber paths into the building and ring protection switching is available?

It is preferable to have services delivered via fiber, whether it’s delivered via dedicated strands of fiber or multiplexing via single or multiple strands remains a technology choice for/between potential vendors and the operator of the James Street location. You should consider contacting the operator listed in the RFP... Sean Patrick Tario – Allied Colo Carrier Relationship Manager – sean.tario@alliedcolo.com – (408) 482‐9953.

If this is not acceptable is the expectation that all locations would have their own dedicated fiber from 1900 James St. for provided layer 2/WAN Services?

It is preferable to have services delivered via fiber, whether it’s delivered via dedicated strands of fiber or multiplexing via single or multiple strands, so long as it can accommodate the bandwidth requested and is scalable for future needs.

Please expand on the passive requirement under section 3.05. Our understanding is we will have equipment in the James St location. From our equipment we would drop off our Layer 2/WAN services from our equipment to a patch panel to allow for interconnection to other locations. Is this the expectation of section 3.05?

Yes. It is understood that WAN vendors’ equipment will likely need to be located at the James Street location. Fiber patching/hand offs are likely necessary. For a complete understanding of the James Street location’s facility and physical interconnection requirements, please contact the operator listed above.

Will this be a fiber patch panel or an electrical patch panel? If this is a fiber patch panel what fiber termination bulkheads are required? LC/UPC, SC/APC? Will these be Multimode or Singlemode?

Please contact the facility operator to determine the physical interconnection requirements/limitations available.

What Financial Report Information is necessary to show our ability to perform the service contemplated?

An income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement will suffice.

What is the required hand off for the schools? Will this also be a fiber hand off or will electrical be expected? If these are fiber hand off's will they be Multi mode or Single mode?

WAN services may be delivered at the school locations via a fiber distribution panel at the demark or they may include terminating equipment that offer an ethernet hand‐off and ethernet switching, which would be an option preferred by many districts. Whether single mode or multi mode depends upon the level of WAN service proposed by vendors. Options that include equipment will provide better post‐award flexibility for the schools/districts.

Will devices with lower port counts be acceptable under section 3.03.03 so long as they meet all necessary functionality?

Yes.

It states on Page 4, 2.04 to be added to a email list. I don’t see the email list on the FCC Form 470. How do I get added to the email list?

You must "Follow" the Form 470 from within your EPC portal. It is my understanding that EPC will notify any followers of the Form of any updates or additions to the specific form(s) that you're following.

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