Barrow County School System


Printed : 3/28/2024 9:27 PM ET
Board Meeting
03/06/2018 06:00 PM

Board of Education
Professional Development Center
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ITEM : F.3. School Fiber Upgrade e-rate RFP - John St.Clair

Recommendation
The Superintendent recommended the selection of low bid respondent TechOptics of Winder Georgia for the fiber cabling of schools in the district in the amount of $104,376.44, contingent upon award of federal e-rate funding in the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Summary
We have a need to upgrade the fiber optic network cabling in most of the schools in the district (All except for BRES, WES, RMS, and SIMS which already have upgraded cabling).

An RFP was posted, with 6 vendors responding. Low bid respondent TechOptics of Winder, GA met the terms of the RFP and has successfully done similar business with the district before.

Vendor Location Amount
TechOptics Winder, GA $104,376.44
LMI Systems Tucker, GA $106,968.95
Summit Solutionz Buford, GA $110,580.00
AiOS Group Atlanta, GA $121,331.25
Ideal Communications Flowery Branch, GA $132,710.00
A3 Norcross, GA $197,600.39

FUNDING EXPLANATION
We have applied for federal e-rate funds to cover a substantial portion of the costs of this upgrade. If approved by the e-rate program, we expect to receive 80% funding ($83,501.15), leaving 20% ($20,875.29) for us to cover out of district funds.

A funding decision from the e-rate program is expected to be given to us somewhere between July 1 2018 and June 30, 2019. Typically we receive word in the first 3 months of the fiscal year.

E-rate funding amounts are tied to our district's free and reduced lunch count, so may vary to a small degree if/when funded next year. If district's out of pocket funding amounts vary by more than 2% we will bring this proposal back to the board for final approval before proceeding. If district out of pocket expenses are within or less than 2% of expected amounts listed above, we will proceed with the work without returning to the board once e-rate funding is approved.

Financial Impact
  • Approximately $83,501.15 from federal e-rate funds.
  • Approximately $20,875.29 from district SPLOST funds.
Total not to exceed quote of $104,376.44
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