IDEA Florida Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) E-Rate Cat 2 Consortium RFP 6-FWAASFL-0127 2026
Idea BassettSchool · JACKSONVILLE, FL- Due
- Oct 21, 2026
- Deadline passed
- Posted
- Aug 26, 2026
- Contract term
- 3 years
- Primary contact
- Humberto Hinojosa
The 30-second brief
IDEA Florida, Inc. is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) cloud-based solution under RFP # 6-FWAASFL-0127 and E-Rate Form 470# 270000239. The selected vendor will provide approximately 5,927 licenses, implementation, configuration, and 24x7x365 technical support. The solution must support a Zero Trust Architecture aligning with NIST Special Publication 800-207 and integrate with existing network infrastructure across campuses in Hillsborough, Duval, and Polk Counties. The initial contract term is three years (July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2030) with two optional one-year renewals. A virtual pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2026, via TEAMS. Proposals are due by October 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST. Vendors must have a valid SPIN and FCCRN and comply with E-Rate program requirements.
FWaaS licenses, Implementation, Configuration, Support, Maintenance, Service performance reporting
Cost of E-Rate Eligible Products and/or Services (30), Technical & Functional Suitability (28), Reputation & Reliability (12), Total Cost of Ownership (10), Terms & Conditions (10), Completeness of Proposal (5), Service Response & Support Capability (5)
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Summary
IDEA Florida, Inc. is soliciting proposals for a comprehensive Firewall as a Service (FWaaS) cloud-based solution under RFP # 6-FWAASFL-0127 and E-Rate Form 470# 270000239.
The selected vendor will provide approximately 5,927 licenses, implementation, configuration, and 24x7x365 technical support. The solution must support a Zero Trust Architecture aligning with NIST Special Publication 800-207 and integrate with existing network infrastructure across campuses in Hillsborough, Duval, and Polk Counties. The initial contract term is three years (July 1, 2027 - June 30, 2030) with two optional one-year renewals. A virtual pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2026, via TEAMS. Proposals are due by October 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST. Vendors must have a valid SPIN and FCCRN and comply with E-Rate program requirements.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
6- FWaaS licenses
- Implementation
- Configuration
- Support
- Maintenance
- Service performance reporting
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
13- Attachment A - Title Page
- Attachment B - Non-Collusion Certification
- Attachment C - Proof of Insurance/Bonding
- Attachment D - Conflict of Interest Form
- Attachment E - Drug-Free Workplace Certification
- Attachment F - Federal Contract Provisions
- Attachment G - Criminal History Review
- Attachment H - Reference Sheet
- Attachment I - Litigation/Terminations/Claims
- Attachment J - Proposed Pricing
- Attachment K - Deviations and Exceptions
- Appendix A - Sites
- Appendix B - RFP Completion Checklist
- Submit to
- 2115 West Pike Blvd, Weslaco, TX 78596
- Duration
- 60 months
- Scope location
- Jacksonville, FL; Tampa, FL; Lakeland, FL
- Reported agency
- IDEA Florida, Inc.
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Idea Bassett?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 21, 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: 2115 West Pike Blvd, Weslaco, TX 78596. For questions, contact Humberto Hinojosa.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Idea Bassett in FL, 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 Humberto Hinojosa. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: FWaaS licenses, Implementation, Configuration, Support, Maintenance, Service performance reporting. 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: "Cost of E-Rate Eligible Products and/or Services (30), Technical & Functional Suitability (28), Reputation & Reliability (12), Total Cost of Ownership (10), Terms & Conditions (10), Completeness of Pr..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Idea Bassett?
All active and historical solicitations from Idea Bassett are tracked and searchable. As a school agency, Idea Bassett 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.
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: Attachment A - Title Page, Attachment B - Non-Collusion Certification, Attachment C - Proof of Insurance/Bonding, Attachment D - Conflict of Interest Form, Attachment E - Drug-Free Workplace Certifica. Review the full document from Idea Bassett for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Jacksonville, FL; Tampa, FL; Lakeland, FL. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.