In an invitation for bid (IFB) released Wednesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is seeking companies to provide the aforementioned equipment and services in a sizeable contract that could, with optional extensions, become even larger. Among the takeaways:
- The scope of LAUSD’s needs centers on two areas, with one being solutions for already installed base equipment: local area network (LAN), wireless LAN, telecommunication (voice over Internet protocol), information security, IT management and data center. Here, the district also needs “other equipment and related services including ... electronics, associated modules, software, applicable license, cables/wiring components and related technical services” to expand and replace systems at schools and district offices.
- The district also needs “public announcement equipment and related services” – including “electronics, associated modules, software, applicable license and related technical services” to replace obsolete PAs throughout LAUSD; and integrated electronic security systems including “access control, intrusion detection, video/audio surveillance” aka closed-circuit TV equipment, and related services – here again, including “electronics, associated modules, software, applicable license and related technical services” throughout the district. Per the contract scope, no “refurbished, reconditioned, opened boxes or gray market systems for the purchase and lease of equipment” will be accepted.
“The purpose of this IFB is to establish a reliable and economical source of complete IT equipment, parts for replacement, upgrades, adds, moves and changes to existing IT systems,” according to the IFB. Procurements via this contract, the district said, don’t include technology-adjacent “services associated with public works” like trenching and pathways for conduit and cabinet installations. - Among the stipulations, the contractor selected must review school “migration plans” with LAUSD’s program office before proceeding on an project, to ensure installations don’t “diminish the existing capabilities of any school” during execution and installation. Among the equipment requirements, contractor-provided hyperconverged infrastructure must be in the 2018 Gartner’s Leaders and Challengers Quadrant for Hyperconverged Infrastructure. On Palo Alto Networks equipment and maintenance, contractor must be part of the NextWave Partner Program; on F5 Networks equipment and maintenance, contractor must be part of the F5 Unity Partner Program; and on VMware software licenses and services, contractor must be a VMware authorized partner/reseller.
- The contract value isn’t stated; funding is “contingent on fiscal year availability.” The contract term will be 36 months, with the option of two additional 12-month extensions – for a maximum total of five years. Anticipated work start date is “on or about” Nov. 15. Questions are due by Aug. 30; bids are due Sept. 10.
