Network Hardware and Software Licenses

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Appalachian State University
Invitation for Bid #: 55-041326B
Network Hardware and Software Licenses
Date Issued: 4/13/2026
Bid Opening Date: April 27, 2026
At 2:00 pm ET
Direct all inquiries concerning this IFB to:
Lori Brown
Procurement Specialist
Email: brownlg2@appstate.edu
Phone: 828-262-8130

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
Invitation for Bid #
55-041326B
______________________________________________________
For internal State agency processing, including tabulation of bids, provide your company's eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal) Number. Pursuant to G.S. 132-1.10(b) this identification number shall not be released to the public. This
page will be removed and shredded, or otherwise kept confidential, before the procurement file is made available
for public inspection.
This page shall be filled out and returned with your bid.
Failure to do so shall be sufficient cause to reject your bid.
___________________________________________________
Vendor Name
______________________________
Vendor eVP #
Note: For a contract to be awarded to you, your company (you) must be a North Carolina registered
Vendor in good standing. You must enter the Vendor number assigned through eVP (Electronic Vendor
Portal). If you do not have a Vendor number, register at https://evp.nc.gov/SignIn
Electronic responses ONLY will be accepted for this solicitation.
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STATE OF N O RTH CA ROLINA
Division of Appalachian State University
Refer ALL Inquiries regarding this IFB to: Invitation for Bids # IFB55-041326B
Lori Brown brownlg2@appstate.edu Bids will be publicly opened: 04/27/2026 2:00 pm
Using Agency: Appalachian State University Commodity No. and Description:
Requisition No.: Network Hardware and Software Licenses
EXECUTION
In compliance with this Invitation for Bids (IFB), and subject to all the conditions herein, the undersigned Vendor offers and agrees to furnish and
deliver any or all items upon which prices are bid, at the prices set opposite each item within the time specified herein.
By executing this bid, the undersigned Vendor understands that false certification is a Class I felony and certifies that:
this bid is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54),
that none of its officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations of Chapter 78A of
the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and
it is not an ineligible Vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1.
Furthermore, by executing this bid, the undersigned certifies to the best of Vendor's knowledge and belief, that:
it and its principals are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible or voluntarily excluded from
covered transactions by any Federal or State department or agency.
As required by G.S. 143-48.5, the undersigned Vendor certifies that it, and each of its sub-Contractors for any Contract awarded as a result of this
IFB, complies with the requirements of Article 2 of Chapter 64 of the NC General Statutes, including the requirement for each employer with more
than 25 employees in North Carolina to verify the work authorization of its employees through the federal E-Verify system.
As required by Executive Order 24 (2017), the undersigned Vendor certifies will comply with all Federal and State requirements concerning fair
employment and that it does not and will not discriminate, harass, or retaliate against any employee in connection with performance of any Contract
arising from this solicitation.
G.S. 133-32 and Executive Order 24 (2009) prohibit the offer to, or acceptance by, any State Employee associated with the preparing plans,
specifications, estimates for public Contract; or awarding or administering public Contracts; or inspecting or supervising delivery of the public Contract
of any gift from anyone with a Contract with the State, or from any person seeking to do business with the State. By execution of this bid response
to the IFB, the undersigned certifies, for Vendor's entire organization and its employees or agents, that Vendor are not aware that any such gift has
been offered, accepted, or promised by any employees or agents of Vendor's organization.
By executing this bid, Vendor certifies that it has read and agreed to the INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS and the NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS
AND CONDITIONS incorporated herein. These documents can be accessed from the ATTACHMENTS page within this document.
Failure to execute/sign bid prior to submittal may render bid invalid and it MAY BE REJECTED. Late bids cannot be accepted.
COMPLETE/FORMAL NAME OF VENDOR:
STREET ADDRESS: P.O. BOX: ZIP:
CITY & STATE & ZIP: TELEPHONE NUMBER: TOLL FREE TEL. NO:
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS ADDRESS IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE (SEE INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS ITEM #21):
PRINT NAME & TITLE OF PERSON SIGNING ON BEHALF OF VENDOR:
VENDOR'S AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE: DATE: E-MAIL:
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VALIDITY PERIOD
Offer shall be valid for at least sixty (60) days from date of bid opening, unless otherwise stated here: ______ days, or if extended by mutual
agreement of the parties. Any withdrawal of this offer shall be made in writing, effective upon receipt by the agency issuing this IFB.
BID ACCEPTANCE
If your bid is accepted, all provisions of this IFB, along with the written results of any negotiations, shall constitute the written agreement between
the parties ("Contract"). The NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS are incorporated herein and shall apply. Depending upon the
Goods or Services being offered, other terms and conditions may apply, as mutually agreed.
FOR STATE USE ONLY: Offer accepted and Contract awarded this ____ day of _______________, 20____, as indicated
on the attached certification, by ______________________________________________________
(Authorized Representative of Appalachian State University)
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1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND ........................................................................................... 5
1.1 CONTRACT TERM ................................................................................................................. 5
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ..................................................................................................... 5
2.1 INVITATION FOR BID DOCUMENT ....................................................................................... 5
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE ......................................................................................................... 5
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING IFB TERMS AND CONDITIONS ................................ 5
2.4 IFB SCHEDULE ...................................................................................................................... 6
2.6 BID QUESTIONS .................................................................................................................... 6
2.7 BID SUBMITTAL ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.8 BID CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................... 7
2.9 ALTERNATE BIDS .................................................................................................................. 7
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND BID EVALUATION PROCESS .................................................. 7
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD ............................................................................................................ 7
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION ......... 8
3.3 BID EVALUATION PROCESS ................................................................................................ 8
3.4 PERFORMANCE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES ............................................................... 9
3.5 INTERPRETATION OF TERMS AND PHRASES ................................................................... 9
4.0 REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 PRICING ................................................................................................................................. 9
4.2 PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION ............................................................................................... 10
4.4 TRANSPORTATION AND IDENTIFICATION ........................................................................ 10
4.5 DELIVERY ............................................................................................................................ 10
4.6 AUTHORIZED RESELLER ................................................................................................... 10
4.7 WARRANTY ......................................................................................................................... 10
4.10 HUB PARTICIPATION .......................................................................................................... 11
4.11 REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 11
4.12 VENDOR'S REPRESENTATIONS ........................................................................................ 11
4.13 FINANCIAL STABILITY ......................................................................................................... 11
4.14 AGENCY INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS MODIFICATION ................................................. 12
4.15 LOBBYING ACTIVIVTY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS .................................. 12
4.16 SUBCONTRACTORS ........................................................................................................... 12
4.17 SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION .......................................................................... 12
4.18 12
5.0 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................. 13
5.2 CERTIFICATION AND SAFETY LABELS ............................................................................. 13
6.4 INVOICES ............................................................................................................................. 13
6.6 DISPUTE RESOLUTION ...................................................................................................... 13
6.8 PRODUCT RECALL .............................................................................................................. 13
6.9 PRICE ADJUSTMENTS ........................................................................................................ 13
6.10 CONTRACT CHANGES ............................................................................................................. 14
6.0 ATTACHMENTS ................................................................................................................... 15
ATTACHMENT A: PRICING .................................................................................................................. 15
ATTACHMENT B: INSTRUCTIONS TO VENDORS .............................................................................. 15
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The Instructions to Vendors, which are incorporated herein by this reference, may be found here:
https://www.doa.nc.gov/pandc/north-carolina-instructions-vendors-1-2025/open .......................... 15
ATTACHMENT C: NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS ...................................... 15
ATTACHMENT D: HUB SUPPLEMENTAL VENDOR INFORMATION ................................................. 15
https://www.doa.nc.gov/pandc/onlineforms/pc-hub-supplemental-vendor-information-92021-
pdf/openATTACHMENT E: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM ............................................................ 15
ATTACHMENT F: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR ............................................... 15
https://www.doa.nc.gov/pandc/onlineforms/pc-worker-location-92021-pdf/open ........................... 15
ATTACHMENT G: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION ....................................................... 15
ATTACHMENT H: VENDOR REQUEST FOR EO50 PRICE-MATCHING ............................................. 15
LOBBYING ACTIVITY CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL GRANTS ..................................................... 15
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1.0 PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The University is preparing to upgrade the network hardware and corresponding software licenses for several residence hall facilities
and locations. The materials and licenses will be provided only. No installation services will not be a component of this procurement
effort.
The intent of this solicitation is to award an Agency Contract.
To comply with Governor Cooper's Executive Order 80 (October 2018), North Carolina's Commitment to Address Climate Change and
Transition to a Clean Energy Economy, the contract resulting from this solicitation intends to provide sustainability features in
accordance with industry standards.
1.1 CONTRACT TERM
The Contract shall have an initial term of one (1) year, beginning on the date of final Contract execution (the "Effective Date") or date
of countersignature by agency, whichever is later.
Bids shall be submitted in accordance with the terms and conditions of this IFB and any addenda issued hereto.
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
2.1 INVITATION FOR BID DOCUMENT
The IFB is comprised of the base IFB document, any attachments, and any addenda released before Contract award, which are
incorporated herein by reference.
2.2 E-PROCUREMENT FEE
ATTENTION: The E-Procurement fee may apply to this solicitation. See paragraph entitled ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT of the North
Carolina General Terms and Conditions.
General information on the E-Procurement Services can be found at: http://eprocurement.nc.gov/.
2.3 NOTICE TO VENDORS REGARDING IFB TERMS AND CONDITIONS
It shall be the Vendor's responsibility to read the Instructions to Vendors, the North Carolina General Terms and Conditions, all relevant
exhibits and attachments, and any other components made a part of this IFB and comply with all requirements and specifications
herein. Vendors also are responsible for obtaining and complying with all Addenda and other changes that may be issued in connection
with this IFB.
If Vendors have questions, issues, or exceptions regarding any component within this IFB, those must be submitted as questions in
accordance with the instructions in the BID QUESTIONS Section. If the State determines that any changes will be made as a result of
the questions asked, then such decisions will be communicated in the form of an IFB addendum. The State may also elect to leave
open the possibility for later negotiation of specific provisions of the Contract that have been addressed during the question-and-
answer period, prior to contact award.
Other than through this process or negotiation under 01 NCAC 05B.0503, the State rejects and will not be required to evaluate or
consider any additional or modified terms and conditions submitted with Vendor's bid. This applies to any language appearing in or
attached to the document as part of the Vendor's bid that purports to vary any terms and conditions or Vendors' instructions herein
or to render the bid non-binding or subject to further negotiation. Vendor's bid shall constitute a firm offer that shall be held open
for the period required herein ("Validity Period" above).
The State may exercise its discretion to consider Vendor proposed modifications. By execution and delivery of this IFB response,
the Vendor agrees that any additional or modified terms and conditions, whether submitted purposely or inadvertently, shall have
no force or effect, and will be disregarded unless expressly agreed upon through negotiations and incorporated by way of a Best
and Final Offer (BAFO). Noncompliance with, or any attempt to alter or delete, this paragraph shall constitute sufficient grounds to
reject Vendor's bid as nonresponsive.
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2.4 IFB SCHEDULE
The table below shows the intended schedule for this IFB. The State will make every effort to adhere to this schedule.
Event Responsibility Date and Time
Issue IFB State 04/13/2026
Hold Pre-Bid Conference/Site Visit State N/A
Submit Written Questions Vendor 04/22/2026
Provide Responses to Questions State 04/24/2026
Submit Bids Vendor 04/27/2026 2:00 PM
Contract Award State ASAP
Contract Effective Date State ASAP
2.6 BID QUESTIONS
Upon review of the IFB documents, Vendors may have questions to clarify or interpret the IFB in order to submit the best bid possible.
To accommodate the Bid Questions process, Vendors shall submit any such questions by the "Submit Written Questions" date and
time provided in the IFB SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by Addendum.
Written questions shall be e-mailed to brownlg2@appstate.edu by the date and time specified above. Vendors will enter "IFB # IFB55-
041326B Questions" as the subject for the email. Question submittals will include a reference to the applicable IFB section and be
submitted in a format shown below:
Reference Vendor Question
IFB Section, Page Number Vendor question ...?
Questions received prior to the submission deadline date, the State's response, and any additional terms deemed necessary by the
State will be posted in the form of an addendum to the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP), https://evp.nc.gov, and shall become an
Addendum to this IFB. No information, instruction or advice provided orally or informally by any State personnel, whether made in
response to a question or otherwise in connection with this IFB, shall be considered authoritative or binding. Vendors shall rely only
on written material contained in an Addendum to this IFB.
2.7 BID SUBMITTAL
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is an absolute requirement. Vendor shall bear the risk of late submission due to unintended or unanticipated
delay. It is the Vendor's sole responsibility to ensure its bid has been received as described in this IFB by the specified time and date
of opening. The date and time of receipt will be marked on each bid when received. Any bid or portion thereof received after the bid
submission deadline will be rejected.
[eVP]
All proposal responses shall be submitted electronically via the electronic Vendor Portal (eVP). Additional information can be found at
the eVP updates for Vendors link: https://eprocurement.nc.gov/news-events/evp-updates-vendors.
Failure to submit a bid in strict accordance with these instructions shall constitute sufficient cause to reject a Vendor's bid(s). Vendors
are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to upload bids.
Critical updated information may be included in Addenda to this IFB. It is important that all Vendors responding on this IFB periodically
check the State's eVP website for any Addenda that may be issued prior to the bid opening date. All Vendors shall be deemed to have
read and understood all information in this IFB and all Addenda thereto.
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2.8 BID CONTENTS
Vendors shall populate all attachments of this IFB that require the Vendor to provide information and include an authorized signature
where requested. Failure to provide all required items, or Vendor's submission of incomplete items, may result in the State rejecting
Vendor's bid, in the State's sole discretion
Vendor IFB responses shall include the following items and attachments, which shall be arranged in the following order:
a) Cover Letter, which must contain all of the following; (i) a statement that confirms that the Vendor has read the IFB in its
entirety, including all links, and all Addenda released in conjunction with the IFB; (ii) a statement that the Vendor agrees to
perform in accordance with the scope of work, requirements, and specifications contained herein; and (iii) Vendor's agreement
to comply with all instructions, terms and conditions, and attachments.
b) Title Page: Include the company name, address, phone number and authorized representative along with the Bid Number.
c) Completed and signed version of EXECUTION PAGES, along with the body of the IFB.
d) Signed receipt pages of any addenda released in conjunction with this IFB, if required to be returned.
e) Vendor's Response [Indicate relative section references as a guide to responding to sections requiring additional responses
outside of the solicitation document. If not required, delete.]
f) Completed version of ATTACHMENT A: PRICING
g) Completed version of ATTACHMENT D: HUB SUPPLEMENTAL VENDOR INFORMATION
h) Completed version of ATTACHMENT E: CUSTOMER REFERENCE FORM
i) Completed version of ATTACHMENT F: LOCATION OF WORKERS UTILIZED BY VENDOR
j) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT G: CERTIFICATION OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
k) Completed and signed version of ATTACHMENT H: VENDOR REQUEST FOR EO50 PRICE-MATCHING, if applicable
l) Completed and signed version of CERTIFICATION FOR CONTRACTS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS and OMB
STANDARD FORM LLL
2.9 ALTERNATE BIDS
Unless provided otherwise in this IFB, Vendor may submit alternate bids for comparable Goods, various methods or levels of Service(s),
or that propose different options. Alternate bids must specifically identify the IFB requirements and advantage(s) addressed by the
alternate bid. Any alternate bid, in addition to the marking described above, must be clearly marked with the legend: "Alternate Bid
#___ [for 'name of Vendor']". Each bid must be for a specific set of Goods and Services and must include specific pricing. If a Vendor
chooses to respond with various offerings, each must be offered with a separate price and be contained in a separate bid. Each bid
must be complete and independent of other bids offered.
3.0 METHOD OF AWARD AND BID EVALUATION PROCESS
3.1 METHOD OF AWARD
North Carolina G.S. 143-52 provides a general list of criteria the State shall use to award contracts, as supplemented by the additional
criteria herein. The Goods or Services being procured shall dictate the application and order of criteria; however, all award decisions
shall be in the State's best interest.
All responsive bids will be reviewed, and award(s) will be based on the responsive bid(s) offering the lowest price that meets the
specifications to include any required verifications set out herein, such as but not limited to past performance, references, and financial
documents.
While the intent of this IFB is to award a Contract(s) to a single Vendor for all line items, the State reserves the right to make separate
awards to different Vendors for one or more line items, to not award one or more line items or to cancel this IFB in its entirety without
awarding a Contract, if it is considered to be most advantageous to the State to do so.
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If a Vendor selected for award is determined by the State to be a non-resident of North Carolina, all responsive bids will be reviewed
to determine if any of them were submitted by a North Carolina resident Vendor who requested an opportunity to match the price of
the winning bid, pursuant to Executive Order #50 and G.S. 143-59 (for more information, please refer to ATTACHMENT H: VENDOR
REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE ORDER #50 PRICE MATCHING. If such bid(s) are identified, the State will then determine whether any such
bid falls within the price-match range, and, if so, make a Contract award in accordance with the process that implements G.S. 143-59
and Executive Order #50.
The State reserves the right to waive any minor informality or technicality in bids received.
3.2 CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROHIBITED COMMUNICATIONS DURING EVALUATION
While this IFB is under evaluation, the responding Vendor, including any subcontractors and suppliers, is prohibited from engaging in
conversations intended to influence the outcome of the evaluation. See Paragraph 29 of the Instructions To Vendors entitled
COMMUNICATIONS BY VENDORS.
Each Vendor submitting a bid to this IFB, including its employees, agents, subcontractors, suppliers, subsidiaries and affiliates, is
prohibited from having any communications with any person inside or outside the using agency; issuing agency; other government
agency office or body (including the procurement lead named above, any department secretary, agency head, members of the General
Assembly and Governor's office); or private entity, if the communication refers to the content of Vendor's bid or qualifications, the
content of another Vendor's proposal, another Vendor's qualifications or ability to perform a resulting contract, and/or the transmittal
of any other communication of information that could be reasonably considered to have the effect of directly or indirectly influencing
the evaluation of proposals, the award of a contract, or both.
Any Vendor not in compliance with this provision shall be disqualified from evaluation and award. A Vendor's proposal may be
disqualified if its subcontractor and/or supplier engage in any of the foregoing communications during the time that the procurement
is active (i.e., the issuance date of the procurement until the date of contract award or cancellation of the procurement). Only those
discussions, communications or transmittals of information authorized or initiated by the issuing agency for this IFB, or inquiries
directed to the procurement lead named in this IFB regarding requirements of the IFB (prior to proposal submission) or the status of
the award (after submission) are excepted from this provision.
3.3 BID EVALUATION PROCESS
Only responsive submissions will be evaluated. Bids will be evaluated fairly based on responsiveness, technical compliance,
qualifications, and price. The University may request clarifications or conduct negotiations, and award will be made to the
responsible bidder offering the best overall value.
The State will conduct an evaluation of responsive Bids, as follows:
Bids will be received according to the method stated in the Bid Submittal section above.
All bids must be received by the issuing agency not later than the date and time specified in the IFB SCHEDULE Section above, unless
modified by Addendum. Vendors are cautioned that this is a request for offers, not an offer or request to contract, and the State
reserves the unqualified right to reject any and all offers at any time if such rejection is deemed to be in the best interest of the
State.
At the date and time provided in the IFB SCHEDULE Section above, unless modified by Addendum, the bids from each responding
Vendor will be opened publicly and all offers (except those that have been previously withdrawn, or voided bids) will be tabulated.
The tabulation shall be made public at the time it is created. When negotiations after receipt of bids are authorized pursuant to
G.S. 143-49 and 01 NCAC 05B.0503, only the names of offerors and the Goods and Services offered shall be tabulated at the time of
opening. If negotiation is anticipated, cost and price shall become available for public inspection at the time of the award. Interested
parties are cautioned that these costs and their components are subject to further evaluation for completeness and correctness and
therefore may not be an exact indicator of a Vendor's pricing position.
At their option, the evaluators may request oral presentations or discussions with any or all Vendors for clarification or to amplify
the materials presented in any part of the bid. Vendors are cautioned, however, that the evaluators are not required to request
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