Response to Bidders Questions – December 04, 2016
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Can you let me know who your current two Internet Providers are?
o Verizon Online and Comcast Business Communications

So that I can submit a bid for an appropriately sized caching solution for West Oak Lane Charter School, can you
please provide the following information:
o What is the size of your internet connection out of the district core?

Answer: we have two ISPs providing us with 400 Mbps Internet connection in
total. We have a 100 Mbps dedicated Metro-Ethernet connection and a 300
Mbps non-dedicated Fios Internet service
o How much of this bandwidth is used at peak times and on average in a typical school day?
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Answer: At peak times it is 240 Mbps and on average it is 150 Mbps on a typical
school day.
o Are all of your school sites served by one internet link, or multiple?

Answer: We have multiple Internet links – two as indicated under question
1. Metro Ethernet fiber based dedicated Ethernet via Comcast and
2. Verizon Fios Internet also based on fiber optic network
o (In the case of multiple internet links) Please describe the different sizes of internet connections
used in your district, and the number of devices that connects to each of them.

o
What plans do you have, if any, to upgrade either of these outlying connections or the core
connection, to how much and over what timeframe?


Answer: Our plan is to increase bandwidth to 1 gigabyte throughput by 2020.
I am under the impression, from your Form 470, that pricing is due later this month. Is it safe to assume
that you will be accepting proposals after 1/15/16?
o

Answer: Primary internet is 100 Mbps based on fiber Ethernet and secondary
internet is a 300 Mbps fiber optic network. The secondary internet is for load
balancing, all of our devices approximately 693 of them are equally connected
to the two internet sources. Average daily connections of student and teacher
devices are 477.
Answer: I will be accepting proposals up till January 22 nd 2016 as stated in the RFP.
Just to be clear, is there any requirement for a firewall appliance or functionality, apart from the specified
Web Caching Server appliance?
o
Answer: No, we have a firewall appliance already in place – Meraki Security Appliance. The web
caching server should be compatible with existing equipment as detailed under Appendix A of the
updated RFP.

If you have the bill materials you can sent, that would be great or if you like to answer the questions below.
o Firewall : What type of throughput would you like to see ? How many users ? Any VPN’s ?
o Router : These can have a wide range depending on usage. Like to hear more about these.
o WAP : Would like to learn about the specs you have been thinking about. Number of streams ?
Features that you are excited about ?
o Rack : standard 42U ? sides ir doors ? Wall mount ?
o UPS : Would you like to be able to properly size these based on run time ?
o Switches: A wide range – can you please share more info.
o Cabling: What type and spec are you looking for – CAT6 / Plenum.
 Answer: The attached RFP details specifications regarding the services we are requesting
for e-Rate funding. Basically we are requesting for maintenance support for internal
connections already deployed. Our firewall, switches, router and WAPs are based on
Cisco Meraki appliances as listed below:
 18 Meraki switches MS320-24 and MS220-48LP
 31 Meraki MR26 mimo access points
 1. Meraki Security Appliance MX400
 2. Standalone 42U APC Rack
 30 Cat6 plenum rated cable

I just came across your Form 470 posting for telephone and internet access. Let me know if you have some
time to hop on a call to discuss your needs.
o Answer: Find attached a copy of the RFP describing our needs for telecommunications and
Internet access. This document is also available on USAC’s EPC portal and on our website at
www.wolcs.org. Navigate to the “Contact Us” menu at our website and click on “Request for
Proposals” to view the page. Further communications with Vendors will be available through
these portals. All questions regarding this RFP should be communicated through this email
address: erate@wolcs.org.

I noted your vendor notice regarding the Form 474 method of payment/collections - will WOLCS
wave this requirement if the vendor does not support such a method?
o Answer: WOLCS preferred method of payment is the Form 474, however it can be waived
if the vendor does not support it.

How many DID numbers do you have?
o Answer: We have 20 DID numbers