Empower Schools of Alabama - Empower C1 470 FY 2027 Internet Access Services - 270002473
Empower Schools of AlabamaSpecial District · Bessemer, AL- Due
- Dec 1, 2026
- 28 days left
- Posted
- Oct 22, 2026
- Contract term
- 3 years
- Primary contact
- Lydia Hooge
- (225) 936-3117
The 30-second brief
Empower Schools of Alabama is seeking competitive proposals for Category One Internet Access services and data transmission at Empower Community Schools Lower Campus in Bessemer, AL for Funding Year 2027. The applicant requests pricing for dedicated, symmetrical bandwidth options of 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 3 Gbps, and 5 Gbps, with service beginning July 1, 2027. The anticipated initial contract term is three years, with up to two one-year voluntary extension options. Vendors must provide pricing with and without basic firewall functionality, separate recurring and nonrecurring charges, special construction charges if applicable, and comply with E-Rate Lowest Corresponding Price requirements. Proposals are due by December 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time, with vendor questions due by November 12, 2026. Evaluation criteria emphasize E-Rate-eligible cost weighted at 40%, along with RFP compliance, references, prior experience, and implementation timeline.
Data Transmission and/or Internet Access, Internet Access and Data Transmission Service
Total E-Rate-eligible cost 40, Proposal meets the demand of the RFP 20, References 20, Previous Experience with the Applicant 10, Project Implementation Timeline 10
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Summary
Empower Schools of Alabama is seeking competitive proposals for Category One Internet Access services and data transmission at Empower Community Schools Lower Campus in Bessemer, AL for Funding Year 2027.
The applicant requests pricing for dedicated, symmetrical bandwidth options of 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, 3 Gbps, and 5 Gbps, with service beginning July 1, 2027. The anticipated initial contract term is three years, with up to two one-year voluntary extension options. Vendors must provide pricing with and without basic firewall functionality, separate recurring and nonrecurring charges, special construction charges if applicable, and comply with E-Rate Lowest Corresponding Price requirements. Proposals are due by December 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time, with vendor questions due by November 12, 2026. Evaluation criteria emphasize E-Rate-eligible cost weighted at 40%, along with RFP compliance, references, prior experience, and implementation timeline.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
5- Total E-Rate-eligible cost 40
- Proposal meets the demand of the RFP 20
- References 20
- Previous Experience with the Applicant 10
- Project Implementation Timeline 10
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
Data Transmission and/or Internet Access, Internet Access and Data Transmission Service
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
5- Vendor Response Coversheet
- Appendix A Cost Table
- Service provider's terms and conditions
- References
- Network diagram
- Submit to
- https://publicdata.usac.org/EPC/Prd/Form470/270002473/17052184/22795210-Empower%20RFP%20C1%20FY2027.pdf
- Duration
- 60 months
- Scope location
- Bessemer, AL
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Empower Schools of Alabama?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is December 1, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://publicdata.usac.org/EPC/Prd/Form470/270002473/17052184/22795210-Empower%20RFP%20C1%20FY2027.pdf. For questions, contact Lydia Hooge.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Empower Schools of Alabama in AL, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Lydia Hooge at (225) 936-3117. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Data Transmission and/or Internet Access, Internet Access and Data Transmission Service. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Total E-Rate-eligible cost 40, Proposal meets the demand of the RFP 20, References 20, Previous Experience with the Applicant 10, Project Implementation Timeline 10" Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Empower Schools of Alabama?
All active and historical solicitations from Empower Schools of Alabama are tracked and searchable. As a special district agency, Empower Schools of Alabama regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 3 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of December 1, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Vendor Response Coversheet, Appendix A Cost Table, service provider's terms and conditions, references, network diagram. Review the full document from Empower Schools of Alabama for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Bessemer, AL. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.