Network Equipment Overview

Table of Contents

Overview and General Information and Requirements

1.0 Overview

1.1 General Instructions

1.2 Introduction
1.3 Project Scope
1.4 Statewide Coverage
1.5 Who May Respond
1.6 Minnesota Network for Enterprise Telecommunications (MNET)
1.7 Definitions

2.0 Award Process

2.1 Award
2.2 Multiple Submissions

3.0 Manufacturer or Manufacturer’s Authorized Distributor

3.1 Manufacturer or Manufacturer’s Authorized Distributor

4.0 IT Accessibility

4.1 IT Accessibility Standards

5.0 Pricing

5.1 Pricing

6.0 Security

6.1 Background Checks

7.0 Service Area

7.1 Service Region

Attachment A – VPAT Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 level AA

Attachment B - VPAT Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

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1.0 OVERVIEW

1.1 SPECIFICATIONS. The specifications and detail questions of this RFP are
included in Attachment F, Network Equipment Specifications.

1.2 INTRODUCTION. This is a combined Network RFP issued by the State of

Minnesota for business class network equipment and associated software as well as
maintenance and support. It also includes installation and configuration services for
network equipment and software.

Equipment covers new hardware (e.g., routers, switches, VoIP phones) as well as
specific accessories (e.g., KVM switches, UPS units). Maintenance and support should
be included in the response. Any contract(s) resulting from this RFP will be made
available to all the State agencies and members of the Cooperative Purchasing Venture
(CPV) program hereafter referred as Contract Users. The CPV program includes local
governments, school districts, and higher education institutions. This RFP allows for
additional discount pricing for education only.

1.3 PROJECT SCOPE

1.3.1 Project Description. The RFP solicits information on Responder

capabilities and pricing to help in the selection process. Responder capabilities will
be evaluated from the responses to the RFP.

1.3.2 Objectives. It is the desire of the State to obtain high quality, reliable
business class network equipment and services for use by the Contract users on a
cost-effective basis.

1.3.2.1 Costs. The State desires to minimize costs of meeting the Contract
users’ requirements for business class network equipment and services. The
State believes this can be accomplished by having contracts with multiple major
manufacturers and/or authorized distributors of specific manufacturer products.

1.3.2.2 Volume Commitments. This Request for Proposal does not guarantee
any volume commitments nor does any resulting Contract have any volume
commitments.

1.3.2.3 Multi-Contract Vendors. The State will entertain the potential for a
multi-contract vendor, multi-agreement environment.

1.3.2.4 Video Conferencing Equipment. Network Equipment may include

Video Conferencing Equipment. However, the State will not review responses
that only include Video Conferencing Equipment. Vendors that respond to this
Event must be able to provide Network Equipment per the specifications herein.
The State reserves the right to include or not include award of Video
Conferencing Equipment in the resulting Contract(s).

1.3.2.5 Alternative Voice Systems. The State will consider alternatives to

premise/on site based voice systems if provided by a manufacturer and is
included in their published price list. These alternatives may be sold by a
manufacturer’s authorized reseller.

1.4 STATEWIDE COVERAGE. All Responders should be able to provide network

equipment and services on a statewide basis. This may be accomplished
utilizing partnership(s) and/or authorized subcontractor(s)

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1.5 WHO MAY RESPOND. Responses to this RFP will be accepted from
manufacturers and/or authorized distributors of specific manufacturer(s). As the
needs of Contract users vary, all manufacturers and authorized distributors of
business class network equipment and associated software are strongly
encouraged to respond to this RFP.

1.6 MINNESOTA NETWORK FOR ENTERPRISE TELECOMMUNICATIONS

(MNET). MNET is the State of Minnesota Wide Area Network (WAN), a service
managed and operated by Minnesota IT Services.

Equipment and associated software solicited through this RFP must work with
the existing infrastructure when used in the WAN backbone and/or to connect
these LANS to the WAN backbone.

1.7 DEFINITIONS. Acronyms not specifically defined in the body of the document
are defined below.

Authorized Distributor: An Authorized Distributor may be an agent, distributor,

reseller, partner or tiered partner that is authorized by a manufacturer to sell
products, maintenance and/or services on behalf of the manufacturer.

Business Class: Technology designed with the performance and capabilities to

meet the needs of business/government of all sizes.

Contract Users: State of Minnesota agencies and members of the Cooperative

Purchasing Venture (CPV) program.

Contract Vendor(s): Refers to successful Responders that receive Contract

awards resulting from this RFP.

CPV: Cooperative Purchasing Venture

IP: Internet Protocol

K-12: Kindergarten to Twelfth grade

KVM: Keyboard Video Monitor

MNET: Minnesota Network for Enterprise Telecommunications (MNET): is the

shared service infrastructure for the State’s managed wide area network. MNET
consists of partnerships between government entities (higher education,
counties, schools, cities, and state agencies) and the private sector, which
provides the high-capacity leased line network connections and associated
services.

Minnesota IT Services: is a cabinet-level agency, led by the State Chief

Information Officer (CIO), whose mission is to provide oversight, leadership and
direction for information and telecommunications policy and the management,
delivery and security of information and telecommunications technology systems
and services in Minnesota. It also manages strategic investments in information
and telecommunications technology systems and services to encourage the
development of a technically literate society, to ensure sufficient access to and
efficient delivery of government services and to maximize benefits for the state
government as an enterprise.

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 N/A: Not Applicable

Responder: refers to organizations that submit a proposal in response to this

RFP.

Request for Proposals (RFP): is defined as this document requesting qualified

Responders submit proposals for the services as described herein.

State: refers to the State of Minnesota.

UPS: Uninterruptible Power Supply

US: United States

VAR: Value Added Reseller

2.0 AWARD PROCESS

2.1 AWARD. The State reserves the right to award this Contract to a single vendor
or multiple vendors for the entire state and may also make the awards in specific Service
Region(s) whichever is in the best interest of the State.

2.2 MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS. Responders may offer more than one manufacturer.
However, if Responder is offering more than one manufacturer, Responder should submit
a separate response for each manufacturer.

3.0 MANUFACTURER OR MANUFACTURER’S AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR

3.1 MANUFACTURER OR MANUFACTURER’S AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR.

Responder must be a Manufacturer or a Manufacturer’s authorized distributor in the
United States. Responders who are submitting a response as a manufacturer’s
authorized distributor shall provide a letter from the manufacturer on the manufacturer’s
letterhead confirming that they are an authorized distributor from the manufacturer when
prompted in SWIFT.

3.1.1 ATTACHMENT D, MANUFACTURERS LIST OF AUTHORIZED

DISTRIBUTORS. Manufacturers are allowed to submit responses to the State
directly and list authorized distributors in Attachment D, Manufacturers List of
Authorized Distributors, for placement of ordering and services.

3.1.1.1 State will allow Manufacturers to propose authorized distributors

during contract negotiations with the understanding that the State reserves
the right to approve proposed distributors. Among other things, the State
must be able to confirm that proposed distributors are not listed on federal or
State debarment lists.

3.1.1.2 State will allow Manufacturers discretion to remove or add

authorized distributors during the Contract period with the understanding that
the State reserves the right to approve new distributors before they are
added to the Contract. Among other things, the State must be able to
confirm that new distributors are not listed on federal or State debarment
lists.

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4.0 IT ACCESSIBILITY

4.1. IT ACCESSIBILITY STANDARDS. The State of Minnesota has developed IT

Accessibility Standards effective September 1, 2010, which entails, in part, the Web
Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (Level AA) and Section 508 of the
Rehabilitation Act, Subparts A-D which can be viewed at
http://www.mmd.admin.state.mn.us/pdf/accessibility_standard.pdf

4.1.1 It is the State’s preference that vendors include all available VPAT
information to enable purchasers to make informed decisions. Failure to provide VPATs
for infrastructure hardware does not eliminate responders from consideration for this RFP
but as points are awarded for IT Accessibility, failure to provide VPATs may affect
responder’s score. If a customer has the choice between a product that has a VPAT and
one that doesn’t, they may be more likely to choose the product with the VPAT.

4.1.2 Respondents will be asked to complete Attachment A, VPAT Web

Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 (Level AA) and Attachment B, VPAT Section
508 of the Rehabilitation Act and upload both to your response when prompted in SWIFT.

4.1.3 The State will accept vendor formatted WCAG and 508 VPATs provided
they reference the same guidelines (e.g., for 508 it would be 1194.21, 1194.22, etc., and
their subcomponents).

5.0 PRICING.

5.1 PRICING. Respondents will be asked to complete Attachment C, Pricing

Schedule and upload to your response when prompted in SWIFT. The pricing portion
requires responses as discounts off the current Manufacturer’s Global Price List in US
Dollars, except for installation, configuration and maintenance services which shall be
quoted as hourly charges.

5.1.1 After one or more Responders are selected based on the responses to
this RFP, the State reserves the right to negotiate additional discounts directly
from the manufacturer. These additional discounts negotiated with the
manufacturer shall be passed on to the State in their entirety by Manufacturer’s
authorized distributors.

5.1.2 Responders must provide a copy of the Manufacturer’s most current

Global Price List or in Attachment C, Pricing Schedule a link to the current
Manufacturer’s Global Price List.

5.1.3 The following Pricing Schedule is provided in Attachment C and must be

completed and submitted separately from your proposal per the instructions in
the Special Terms and Conditions of this RFP. You will be asked to identify the
relevant Manufacturer and provide pricing in the form of % discounts off the most
current Manufacturer’s Global Price List in US Dollars. If you are offering larger
discounts and lower prices to specific customer segments, e.g. Education, be
sure to include those numbers in the pricing schedule.

5.1.4 Respondents may propose multiple discounts by product family and a

separate discount for services. If offering different discounts across product
lines, identify product lines and their associated discounts on a separate sheet
and include when you upload Attachment C, Pricing Schedule into SWIFT.

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 5.1.5 Note: The following table is for reference only. Do not complete,
Responders will be prompted to download Attachment C - Pricing Schedule in
SWIFT and complete it separately and upload into your response.

If Responder is offering more than one manufacturer Responder should

submit a separate response in SWIFT for each manufacturer.
Discount off List Discount off List Discount off List
% % %
State/CPV K-12 Higher Ed
New Equipment
Purchases*
Software
Manufacturer backed THIS IS A
Maintenance SAMPLE ONLY

Refurbished Equipment
Purchases
Installation Service for
configuration, physical ONLY
install and acceptance COMPLETE
testing, includes but is THIS FORM
not limited to, travel, AND UPLOAD
mileage, trip charges, IT WHEN
parking meals, lodging, PROMPTED IN
etc.** SWIFT

Hourly Service Rates for

State/CPV/K-12 and Higher Ed
Weekday Weekend Holidays
Maintenance Service,
Time and Material (if
offered). If minimum
hours per call-out list
here: ____________

Professional/Technical
Services – Provide Title
(add additional pages if
necessary)

Other Optional
Services***
* New equipment cannot include refurbished hardware and accessories. If offering
different discounts across product lines, identify product lines and their associated
discounts on a separate sheet and include when you upload this form into SWIFT.

** Hourly rates shall include all costs associated with this service, including but not limited
to travel, mileage, trip charges, parking, meals, hotel lodging, etc.

*** If offering Other Optional Services, state whether the rate is hourly or some other
measurement of time. Other rates shall include all costs associated with this service,

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 including but not limited to, travel, mileage, trip charges, parking, meals, hotel lodging,
etc.

6.0 SECURITY.

6.1 Background Checks. The State of Minnesota is subject to multiple regulations

including, but not limited to, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI
DSS), IRS Publication 1075, and FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)
Security Policy all of which require employees and contractors with physical or logical
access to systems that store, process or transmit the regulated data to undergo
background checks. This would include network devices such as routers and switches.

This requirement applies to individuals with physical access to the devices such as
installers unless they are escorted and monitored at all times by individuals who
understand what is being done and can detect malicious behavior. It also applies to
support personnel accessing the system remotely unless their access to State networks
and systems is 1) only needed periodically for emergency support purposes, 2) disabled
immediately once the support issue is addressed, 3) restricted to only the devices
needing support, 4) authenticated using multi-factor authentication, 5) utilizing State
approved tools, and 6) continuously monitored by State employees who can detect and
stop malicious activity.

Prior to the performance of any work under this Contract and to ensure the safety and
security of all employees, data, customers and assets, Contract Vendor shall conduct a
new Background Check on all individual(s) selected for work under this contract prior to
each individual working on-site, whether an employee or sub-contractor. The selected
individual(s) shall be required to complete and submit any customer required consent
forms. Contract Vendor shall be responsible for the review and evaluation of Background
Check results, in compliance with all State and Federal laws. Costs related to
Background Checks conducted by Contract Vendor shall be the sole responsibility of
Contract Vendor. At a minimum, a Background Check must include:

Criminal History Check (including County or State, MN BCA, and National Sex Offender
Registry); Social Security Number and Address Verification; FBI Identity History Summary
Check; and Other legally required checks (drug tests, Mantoux tests, fingerprints, tax
records, etc.). In addition, state agencies and CPV members may require their own
Background Check on individual(s) selected for work under this contract. When required
by a state agency or CPV member, the selected individual(s) shall be required to
complete and submit any required consent forms, including but not limited to investigation
forms, photo identification, and fingerprinting. State agencies and CPV members reserve
the right to decline any Contract Vendor’s staff accordingly and in compliance with all
state and federal laws. Costs related to Background Checks conducted by a state
agency or CPV member shall be the sole responsibility of that entity.

7.0 SERVICE REGIONS.

7.1 Service Regions. Responders may use their own service regions, or the MNET
service region map below. If using your own existing service regions, provide a map.
State reserves the right to negotiate response times and vendor provided service maps.

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