West Des Moines Community School District - E-rate FY2027 Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switch Replacement RFP - 270002329
West Des Moines Community School DistrictSchool · West Des Moines, IA- Due
- Nov 30, 2026
- 27 days left
- Posted
- Oct 25, 2026
- Primary contact
- Brian Abeling
- (515) 633-5058
The 30-second brief
West Des Moines Community School District is seeking proposals for E-rate Funding Year 2027-2028 for internal connections involving the replacement of Layer 3 switching across 14 buildings plus 1 spare, and Layer 2 access switches across 17 locations comprising 223 standard 48-port PoE+ switches and 37 multi-gigabit top-of-rack switches. The project includes switches, necessary software and licenses, 5-year management licenses, 10GBASE-LR and 1 Gb optics, installation, configuration, removal of existing Cisco Catalyst 9500 and legacy switches, and training. Proposals are due by November 30, 2026, with questions due by November 20, 2026. Evaluation criteria emphasize price, technical specifications and compatibility, local support within 50 miles, and K-12 project experience.
Layer 3 switch 5-year bundled price, 10 Gb single-mode optic (10GBASE-LR), 1 Gb multimode optic (1000BASE-SX), 1 Gb single-mode optic (1000BASE-LX), Management license 5-year term, Standard 48-port PoE+ switch, Top-of-rack multi-gig switch
Price of eligible products and services (40), Meets specifications and compatibility with existing infrastructure (30), Local support within 50 miles of Des Moines (20), Experience with similar K-12 projects with references (10)
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Summary
West Des Moines Community School District is seeking proposals for E-rate Funding Year 2027-2028 for internal connections involving the replacement of Layer 3 switching across 14 buildings plus 1 spare, and Layer 2 access switches across 17 locations comprising 223 standard 48-port PoE+ switches and 37 multi-gigabit top-of-rack switches.
The project includes switches, necessary software and licenses, 5-year management licenses, 10GBASE-LR and 1 Gb optics, installation, configuration, removal of existing Cisco Catalyst 9500 and legacy switches, and training. Proposals are due by November 30, 2026, with questions due by November 20, 2026. Evaluation criteria emphasize price, technical specifications and compatibility, local support within 50 miles, and K-12 project experience.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Price of eligible products and services (40), Meets specifications and compatibility with existing infrastructure (30), Local support within 50 miles of Des Moines (20), Experience with similar K-12 projects with references (10)
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
7- Layer 3 switch 5-year bundled price
- 10 Gb single-mode optic (10GBASE-LR)
- 1 Gb multimode optic (1000BASE-SX)
- 1 Gb single-mode optic (1000BASE-LX)
- Management license 5-year term
- Standard 48-port PoE+ switch
- Top-of-rack multi-gig switch
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
An itemized price list by building using Attachment A in Excel format, vendor SPIN, manufacturer data sheets, names and certifications of installation staff, compliance matrix responding to technical requirements
- Submit to
- [email protected]
- Scope location
- West Des Moines, IA
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from West Des Moines Community School District?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is November 30, 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: [email protected]. For questions, contact Brian Abeling.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including West Des Moines Community School District in IA, 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 Brian Abeling at (515) 633-5058. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Layer 3 switch 5-year bundled price, 10 Gb single-mode optic (10GBASE-LR), 1 Gb multimode optic (1000BASE-SX), 1 Gb single-mode optic (1000BASE-LX), Management license 5-year term, Standard 48-port PoE+ switch, Top-of-rack multi-gig switch. 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: "Price of eligible products and services (40), Meets specifications and compatibility with existing infrastructure (30), Local support within 50 miles of Des Moines (20), Experience with similar K-12 p..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from West Des Moines Community School District?
All active and historical solicitations from West Des Moines Community School District are tracked and searchable. As a school agency, West Des Moines Community School District regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of November 30, 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: An itemized price list by building using Attachment A in Excel format, vendor SPIN, manufacturer data sheets, names and certifications of installation staff, compliance matrix responding to technical. Review the full document from West Des Moines Community School District for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: West Des Moines, IA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.