E-Rate Firewalls and Switching

Location:	Alaska
Posted:	Jan 6, 2026
Due:	Feb 6, 2026
Agency:	Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	66 - Instruments and Laboratory Equipment
Solicitation No:	106-26
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Date:

January 6, 2026

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

From:

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Purchasing Department

139 East Park Avenue

Soldotna, Alaska 99669

(907)714-8876

BID NUMBER:

#106-26

BID DUE DATE: 4:00 P.M., Alaska Time, February 6, 2026

CLASSIFICATION: E-Rate Category 2 Firewalls and Switching

DELIVERY DATE: Within the timeframe beginning July 1, 2026 to no later than June 30, 2027, unless contracted differently

All bids submitted must remain valid for a period of 60 days (unless otherwise specified). Purchase is contingent upon receiving E-

Rate subsidy

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If you are eligible for KPBSD Local Bidder Preference you must include the following information:

Kenai Peninsula Borough Sales Tax Account Number: _________________________

Kenai Peninsula Borough Personal Property Tax Account Number: ____________________________

YOU MUST BE CURRENT IN ALL PAYMENTS OF THE ABOVE.

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FOR SELLER: Business Name:

Address:

Phone Number: _________________________________

Email Address:

Manual or E-Signature of Bid Manager:

Printed Name of Bid Manager:

Date Returned:

Fax Number:

** THIS PAGE MUST BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED WITH BID SUBMISSION **

RFP #106-26

Page 1 of 9

KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

139 East Park Avenue

Soldotna, Alaska 99669-7553

INSTRUCTIONS TO BIDDERS

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, Purchasing Department (hereinafter also KPBSD or District), invites the

submission of Bids to provide E-Rate Category 2 Firewalls and Switching to the District in accordance with the following

Instructions to Bidders.

The District reserves the right to negotiate the terms and conditions of any contract entered into as a result of accepting any

bid submitted by the successful Bidder(s). We will be seeking, at minimum, a 12-month contract term, 7/1/2026 through

6/30/2027.

Any interested party may obtain a copy of the Request for Proposal from the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District website

at www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/Erate or from the Purchasing Department, 139 East Park Avenue, Soldotna, AK 99669, and (907)714-

8876.

To be considered for award, one (1) original of the bid must be received by the KPBSD Purchasing Department, 139 East Park

Avenue, Soldotna, AK, 99669, no later than 4:00 p.m., Alaska Time, February 6, 2026 Each bid must be submitted in a single

sealed envelope or package marked on the outside “E-RATE Firewalls & Switching; RFP #106-26: Due: NLT 4:00 p.m.,

Alaska Time, February 6, 2026”

Bids delivered by fax or by electronic means are not acceptable and will not be considered.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION:

NON-DISCRIMINATION

Each bidder, in submitting bids, certifies that if awarded a contract resulting from this bid they as the contractor will not

discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age

or sex. The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants/employees are fairly treated. Such action shall

include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment

advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for training, including

apprenticeship. The contractor agrees to post in conspicuous places, available to employees and applicants for employment,

notices setting forth the provisions of this non-discrimination clause.

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH WARRANTY

Bidder, if awarded a contract, warrants that the product sold or service rendered to the buyer shall conform to the standards

and/or regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Labor under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29

U.S.C. 651, OL 91-596) and all amendments thereto and the State of Alaska Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1973 and all

amendments thereto. In the event the product sold does not conform to the OSHA standards and/or regulations, the buyer may

return the product for correction or replacement at the seller’s option and at the seller’s expense or by buyer at seller’s expense

in the event seller fails to make the appropriate correction within a reasonable time.

COMPLIANCE

Bidder, if awarded a contract, shall comply with all State, Federal and local laws, regulations or orders applicable to the

purchase, manufacture, processing and delivery of the merchandise. Successful bidder(s) shall certify in the following or

substantially equivalent words on the invoice or other appropriate document: “We hereby certify that the goods covered by

this invoice were produced in compliance with all applicable requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act as amended,

including Section 6 and 12 thereof, and of the regulations and others of the U.S. Department of Labor under Section 14 thereof”.

RFP #106-26

Instructions to Bidders Page 2 of 11

BRAND

Brand names and manufacturer’s number(s) furnished are the identification of the product required. Notation will be made for

each item listed if alternates will not be considered. If an alternate is bid/proposed, complete descriptive literature sufficiently

detailed for evaluation must accompany the bid. Failure of the bidder to include complete descriptive literature of alternate

brands offered may be cause for rejection of their bid. The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District reserves the right to

determine what products are equivalent or equal in the event a substitute is considered.

EQUIPMENT

All product bids must be new (not remanufactured, rebuilt, or previously owned) No gray market product will be accepted. If

a brand/manufacturer requires vendors to qualify with them prior to selling their product, the District will purchase only from

the vendors that the brand/manufacturer approves as an authorized reseller.

PRICING

1. All prices quoted shall be net and must be F.O.B. Soldotna, Alaska, Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Warehouse. Quote unit prices only, unless otherwise specified in the bid document.

2. Minimum quantity or dollar amounts, on certain brands quoted, will not be accepted.

3. All submitted pricing must remain valid until June 30, 2027 for equipment unless otherwise specified.

4. Prices must include all federal, state, and local taxes when applicable as most taxes are eligible for subsidy under

the E-Rate program. The bidder shall be responsible for submitting their sales and/or use tax number on page one

(1) of this RFP.

CASH DISCOUNTS

All bid prices must be net. Cash discounts quoted for prompt payment of invoices will not be considered as a factor in the

awarding of bids.

DELIVERY

1. Within the timeframe beginning no earlier than July 1, 2026 to no later than June 30, 2027 and not without an

official Purchase Order from the District. Such notification will depend on successful E-Rate funding award.

2. Vendor may become ineligible for future bids unless all items are delivered within the specified time.

Extenuating circumstances to be given consideration in all above.

3. All deliveries shall be F.O.B. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Warehouse, 139 E. Park Avenue,

Soldotna, Alaska, 99669; unless otherwise specified in the bid document.

SAMPLES

Samples and/or specification sheets must be furnished at no charge when requested and when bidding brands other

than specified or where noted. All articles must be in strict conformance with the quality of the samples submitted and the

requirements of the specifications. Samples will not be returned.

FEDERAL EXCISE TAXES

The School District is exempt from the Federal Excise taxes. Exemption Certificate will be furnished when required.

BIDS

1. It is the sole responsibility of the bidder to have its bid received by the District Purchasing Department prior to the

time of the scheduled bid due date and time. Bid(s) will be marked with the date and time of receipt. Late Bids shall

RFP #106-26

Instructions to Bidders Page 3 of 11

not be considered and shall be returned to the bidder, unopened and marked with the date and hour of receipt, per

School Board Policy, AR 3311, Bids. No responsibility will attach to any officer or agent of the District for the

premature opening of, or the failure to open, a bid not properly addressed and identified.

2. One or more addenda to the Request for Proposal may be issued by the District after the RFP process is opened.

A copy of any addendum issued by the District must be signed by the bidder and submitted along with its bid. While

the District will make reasonable efforts to notify bidders of any addenda, it is the sole responsibility of the bidder to

verify whether any addenda have been issued. Bidders should check the District website to ascertain if any addenda

have been issued.

3. Bidders should read this Request for Proposal carefully and review all instructions contained herein. Incomplete

or incorrect Bids may be rejected as not conforming to the essential requirements of the RFP.

4. This request implies no obligation on the part of the District. Award of this Request for Proposal is contingent

upon the availability of funds. The District reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to act in the best interest

of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

5. No oral interpretation will be given on any part of the RFP documents. Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning

of any part of this RFP may submit a written request for an interpretation thereof. Two types of questions generally

arise. One may be answered by directing the bidder to a specific section of the RFP. These questions may be answered

by direct communication to the bidder submitting the question. Questions which, in the opinion of the Head Buyer,

require a more detailed or complex reply, or require an answer that may affect responses to this RFP or may be

prejudicial to other prospective bidders, will be answered by issuing an addendum. Questions must be received by

the District Purchasing Department no later than 4:00 p.m. Alaska Time, January 21, 2026. Any addendum resulting

from submitted questions will be posted to the District website 10 days before the due date. It is the bidder’s

responsibility to check the website frequently prior to submitting their bid. Questions must reference the bid number

and can be delivered as follows:

Re: RFP #106-26 E-Rate Category 2 Firewalls and Switching

Fax: 907-262-7165

E-mail: Chayes2@kpbsd.k12.ak.us & BIDS@kpbsd.k12.ak.us

Mail:

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Purchasing Department

139 E Park Avenue

Soldotna, AK 99669

6. If a bidder fails to notify the District of a discrepancy, defect, ambiguity or other error in the RFP, their bid shall

be submitted at the bidder’s own risk and should the bidder’s submission, in whole or part, be deemed the winning

bid, the bidder shall not be entitled to additional compensation or other consideration by reason of the discrepancy,

defect, ambiguity or other error, or its later correction or clarification. Protests based on any discrepancy, defect,

ambiguity or other error in the solicitation will be disallowed if the fault has not been brought to the attention of the

District, in writing at least ten (10) days prior to the date set for submission of Bids. If such date falls on a weekend

or holiday, the deadline shall be the last business day before the weekend or holiday.

7. All Bids and Addenda must be manually signed, E-signature is acceptable. A bid may be signed by: an officer or

other agent of a corporate vendor, if authorized to sign contracts on its behalf; a member of a partnership; an owner

of a privately-owned vendor; or agent if properly authorized by a power of attorney or equivalent document. The

name and title of the individual(s) signing the bid must be clearly shown immediately below the signature.

8. Each bidder understands and agrees that it submits its bid at its own risk and expense and releases the District from

any claim for damages or other liability arising out of the Request for Proposal and award process, including but not

limited to: bid preparation costs and costs associated with any challenge (administrative, judicial or otherwise

(including attorney fees)) to the determination of the winning bid and/or rejection of Bids. No obligation of any sort

is created nor may liability, financial or otherwise, be asserted against the District, its Board, Board members,

employees, agents or insurers as a result of this Request for Proposal. By submitting a bid, each bidder agrees to be

bound in this respect.

RFP #106-26

Instructions to Bidders Page 4 of 11

9. Bids may be withdrawn on written request delivered to the District Purchasing Department (fax is acceptable) prior

to the time specified for submittal. Bids not withdrawn prior to the specified time may not be withdrawn for a period

of sixty (60) calendar days after the time for receipt of Bids.

10. All Bids must comply with these instructions.

11. All Bids must be submitted on the forms provided by the District, or if none are included, in accordance with the

requirements of the RFP.

12. Bidders must comply with all of the terms of this RFP, and all applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes and

regulations. The District may reject any bid that does not comply with all of the material and substantial terms,

conditions, and performance requirements of the RFP and any bid which contains information or material which

cannot be verified or otherwise confirmed for purposes of determining responsiveness to the solicitation.

13. Bidders may not qualify a bid nor restrict the rights of the District. If a bidder does so, the District may determine

the bid to be non-responsive and the bid may be rejected. If the District fails to identify or detect supplemental terms

or conditions in a bid that conflict with those contained in this RFP or that diminish the District’s rights under any

award resulting from this RFP, the term(s) or condition(s) will be considered null and void.

14. The District shall have the authority to waive irregularities on any and all Bids, except that timeliness and manual

signature requirements shall not be waived, when deemed to be in the best interest of the District.

15. The District reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, consider alternates and waive formalities in RFP procedures

as is in the best interest of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

16. The District reserves the right to select final quantities and product based on total cost and cost itemization.

17. The apparent low bidder(s) may be required, if deemed to be in the best interest of the District, to submit written

verification of their ability to fill any order(s) subsequent to this RFP in accordance with the specifications and delivery

time line established in this bid document, prior to final award.

18. Once the bid has been awarded and subsequent purchase orders have been issued, if the low bidder cannot fill the

purchase orders in accordance with the specifications of the RFP, the District may vacate that award, cancel any

affected purchase orders, and issue new purchase orders to the next lowest responsible bidder.

AGGRIEVED BIDDERS

Appeal Process for Aggrieved Bidders/Proposers for Contract Awards at $25,000 or greater, KPBSD School Board Policy AR

3311, Bids:

Appeal to Superintendent

Any party bidding or submitting a proposal for a contract or purchase order with the District for $25,000 or greater

may appeal to the Superintendent in writing, personally received at the District Purchasing office, within three (3)

business days of the date of notice of intent to award a contract. The appeal may be hand delivered, by mail, or by

facsimile and must comply with the requirements of this section.

Contents of Appeal

A written appeal shall, at minimum, contain the following:

a. The name, address, and telephone number of the interested party filing the appeal;

b. The signature of the interested party or the interested party’s authorized representative;

c. identification of the proposed award at issue;

d. A statement of the legal or factual grounds for the appeal;

e. Copies of all relevant documents; and

f. A fee of $300.00 shall be paid to the District and must be received by the deadline for filing the written

This fee shall be refundable if the appellant prevails in the appeal to the Superintendent.

appeal.

RFP #106-26

Instructions to Bidders Page 5 of 11

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Bid #	Title	File(s)	Date Posted	Due Date
106-26	E-Rate Firewalls and Switching	106-26 RFP Instructions to Bidders 106-26 RFP Specifications	1-6-26	4:00 P.M., Alaska Time, February 6, 2026