IDEA Public Schools E-Rate CAT 2 Phase 3 Network Equipment and Installation RFP 2-CAT2PH3-0127 2026
IDEA Public SchoolsSchool · Weslaco, TX- Due
- Oct 21, 2026
- 4 days left
- Contract term
- 1 year
- Primary contact
- Felicia Black
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THE 30-SECOND BRIEF
IDEA Public Schools is soliciting proposals for E-Rate Category Two (CAT 2) network hardware and installation services to support a Phase 3 network refresh project. The procurement includes advanced wireless access points, high-capacity switches with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, dedicated power supplies, and high-speed connectivity cables. Services required include procurement, delivery, installation, configuration, testing, performance validation, and removal of legacy equipment across five Texas campuses: IDEA Weslaco Pike, IDEA Weslaco, IDEA Frontier, IDEA Riverview, and IDEA Walzem. Proposals must be compatible with existing Cisco/Meraki infrastructure. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2026. Proposals are due by October 21, 2026. Vendors must provide a valid SPIN and FCCRN.
Equipment inventory list, Access Point and Cabling as-built maps, Manufacturer portal updates, Project documentation
Cost of E-Rate eligible products (30), Technical & Functional Suitability (26), Reputation & Reliability (14), Total Cost of Ownership (10), Terms & Conditions (10), Completeness of Proposal (5), Service Response & Support Capability (5)
SUMMARY
IDEA Public Schools is soliciting proposals for E-Rate Category Two (CAT 2) network hardware and installation services to support a Phase 3 network refresh project.
The procurement includes advanced wireless access points, high-capacity switches with Power over Ethernet (PoE) capabilities, dedicated power supplies, and high-speed connectivity cables. Services required include procurement, delivery, installation, configuration, testing, performance validation, and removal of legacy equipment across five Texas campuses: IDEA Weslaco Pike, IDEA Weslaco, IDEA Frontier, IDEA Riverview, and IDEA Walzem. Proposals must be compatible with existing Cisco/Meraki infrastructure. A non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for September 11, 2026. Proposals are due by October 21, 2026. Vendors must provide a valid SPIN and FCCRN.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
4- Equipment inventory list
- Access Point and Cabling as-built maps
- Manufacturer portal updates
- Project documentation
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
18- Attachment A – Title Page
- Attachment B – Vendor Acknowledgement
- Attachment C – Evidence of Insurance
- Attachment D – IDEA Conflict of Interest Form
- Attachment E – Texas Ethics Commission Form CIQ
- Attachment F – Felony Conviction Disclosure Statement
- Attachment G – Certification Regarding Lobbying
- Attachment H – Contract Provisions
- Attachment I – Reference Sheet
- Attachment J – Litigation/Terminations/Claims
- Attachment K – Proposed Pricing
- Attachment L – IRS Form W-9
- Attachment M – Deviations and Exceptions
- Attachment N – Drug-Free Workplace
- Attachment O – Child Support Certification
- Appendix A – Sites
- Appendix B – SPIN Requirement
- Appendix C – RFP Completion Checklist
- Submit to
- Weslaco, TX
- Duration
- 24 months
- Scope location
- Weslaco, Brownsville, San Antonio, TX
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from IDEA Public Schools?
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: Weslaco, TX. For questions, contact Felicia Black.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including IDEA Public Schools in TX, 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 Felicia Black. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Equipment inventory list, Access Point and Cabling as-built maps, Manufacturer portal updates, Project documentation. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
Can I search RFPs like this in ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Civic IQ has an MCP server that connects ChatGPT, Claude and other AI assistants to live Civic IQ data: open RFPs, pre-RFP signals from public meetings, awarded contracts and agency decision-makers across 100,000+ US public agencies. Add https://beta.mcp.civiciq.com/mcp as a connector (in ChatGPT under Settings > Apps & Connectors, in Claude under Settings > Connectors) and sign in with a free Civic IQ account at civiciq.com/mcp.
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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 (30), Technical & Functional Suitability (26), Reputation & Reliability (14), Total Cost of Ownership (10), Terms & Conditions (10), Completeness of Proposal (5), Serv..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from IDEA Public Schools?
All active and historical solicitations from IDEA Public Schools are tracked and searchable. As a school agency, IDEA Public Schools 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 1 year. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of October 21, 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: Attachment A – Title Page, Attachment B – Vendor Acknowledgement, Attachment C – Evidence of Insurance, Attachment D – IDEA Conflict of Interest Form, Attachment E – Texas Ethics Commission Form CIQ,. Review the full document from IDEA Public Schools for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Weslaco, Brownsville, San Antonio, TX. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.