Layer 1 Network and Telecommunications Infrastructure Upgrade

The Pinellas County School District ("District") is soliciting competitive proposals from qualified contractors to furnish all labor, materials, equipment, and services necessary for the upgrade and modernization of Layer 1 network and telecommunications infrastructure throughout schools within the District. This includes, but is not limited to, structured cabling, fiber optic backbone systems, horizontal copper cabling, telecommunications distribution frames and all associated pathways, support components and infrastructure materials. The District is seeking bids for Category 2 Internal Connections, specifically for structured cabling installation for 98 school sites, listed in Attachment A Layer 1 Project List of Schools.

This is intended to be a multi-year project from contract award through June 30th 2031, with no purchases before April 1, 2027. Multiple vendors may be awarded this contract and participation in the project. This procurement is dependent on E-Rate Category 2 funding, as described in Section 8.6. A Form 470 for this opportunity has been submitted to USAC, and is available on their website.

The Contractor shall provide a complete, fully functional, and tested structured cabling system at each designated school facility. The Contractor is responsible for all materials, equipment, and labor — including all incidental items — necessary to deliver a complete system, whether or not every component is individually itemized in this specification. The scope encompasses all work from the Main Distribution Frame (MDF) through every Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF) and out to each individual communications jack. The work shall be performed in two phases, as described in Section 2.2.

The work will be conducted in two phases: Phase 1 (fiber optic infrastructure) and Phase 2 (horizontal Category 6/6A Ethernet cabling).

**Phase 1 — Fiber Optic Infrastructure.** Phase 1 consists solely of fiber optic cabling and supporting equipment, components, and materials, together with the associated remediation necessary for the installation; meeting best practices and applicable standards. Phase 1 includes:

• Fiber optic backbone cabling (OS2 single-mode or OM4 multi-mode) as described in Section 2.3.
• Rack-mounted fiber interconnect cabinets, couplers, connectors, and fiber management, and the remediation of MDF and IDF spaces required to install the fiber in accordance with best practices and standards.
• Associated pathways, innerduct, conduit, pathway remediation, fire stopping, and any grounding and bonding required for the fiber installation.
• Labeling, testing, and documentation of the fiber optic plant.

**Phase 2 — Horizontal Ethernet Cabling.** Phase 2 consists of horizontal Category 6 or Category 6A Ethernet cabling and supporting equipment, components, and materials, together with associated network closet remediation. Phase 2 includes:

• Horizontal Category 6 cabling or Category 6A cabling, as described below in Sections 2.5 through 2.9.
• Communications outlets, patch panels, patch cords, and associated cable pathways.
• Remediation of MDF and IDF network closets associated with the horizontal cabling, as described in Section 2.6.
• Labeling, testing, and documentation of the horizontal cabling.

All submittals are due electronically through the District’s OpenGov Procurement portal: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/pcsb

The District e-Procurement Portal Clock is the official clock for the determination of all deadline dates and times. Without exception, responses will not be accepted after the submission deadline regardless of any technical difficulties such as poor internet connections.

**Mandatory** walk-throughs: Vendors must sign in at each location upon arrival. Bids from vendors who do not attend all three walk-throughs will not be accepted.

The District (at its sole discretion) may award this contract to up to three of the highest scoring point vendors.

The district will give consideration to prices established by the State of Florida Department of Management Services, Division of Purchasing through its contracts and negotiated agreement price schedules.