1.- General Overview
2.- General Proposal Specifications
3.- General Proposal Comments
4.- Data Network Design
5.- Frame Relay Service (FRS)
       Table 1.- NPS – Frame Relay Service
6.- Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)
       Centralink 3100
        Table 2.- NPS - Centrex Lines
7.- Long Distance Telephone Service
8.- Telecommunication System Service Plans
9.- Glossary of Terms

Proposals are being requested to select a vendor as required by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to supply Telecommunications Services for Naugatuck Public Schools. These services are to include, but are not limited to, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), Long Distance Telephone Service and Frame Relay Service (FRS) and a Telecommunications System Maintenance Plan.

If you desire to propose computer equipment, software and/or services as needed to fulfill the requirements as outlined in this "Request for Proposal", prepare a written document providing the requested information. Proposals will be accepted for any portion of the equipment and/or services outlined below. If your proposal cannot satisfy all requirements, this will not necessarily mean that it will not be considered. However, you must clearly indicate which requirements cannot or will not be satisfied.
 

The steps used to evaluate and select a vendor are as follows:

1.- Award

The Naugatuck Board of Education reserves the right to waive any formality and/or irregularity, to make awards to more than one vendor, to reject any or all proposals, or require new proposals as serves the best interests of the Naugatuck Public Schools. The Naugatuck Board of Education is not obligated to accept a low proposal if it is non-compliant or does not serve the best interests of the Naugatuck Public Schools.

2.- Proposal Response Returns

Vendors must return all completed proposals to the Naugatuck Board of Education, Attn: District Systems Coordinator, 380 Church Street, Naugatuck, CT 06770, prior to 3:00 P.M. on the date specified. No proposal received after the date and hour specified will be considered.

Proposal envelopes should be sealed and marked clearly with the title of the Request for Proposal. One complete copy of the proposal and supporting documentation must be sent. Proposals WILL NOT be accepted via facsimile nor e-mail. Any proposals submitted using these methods will be automatically disqualified.

Proposals must include the full name and address of the vendor. Failure to sign the proposal will be cause for disqualification. The authorized signature should show the title of the person signing the proposal.

Proposals may not be altered or amended after opening time. No proposal can be withdrawn after opening time without the written approval of the Business Manager of the Naugatuck Board of Education based on a written request.

3.- Proposal Responses

All questions and/or specifications must be clearly responded to where applicable. Any requirement, which cannot be met, even with additional cost or modification, must be clearly identified and detailed. All specifications are minimum requirements. It is expected that proposed equipment will meet or exceed listed specifications. Any deviation from the specification as written should be clearly noted with appropriate pricing using the Alternate Equipment Form as necessary.

4.- Proposal Pricing

Any price not shown on the proposal sheets will not be honored. Prices must be inclusive of all charges. All custom modifications must be estimated with actual dollars and anticipated delivery time.

Pricing on all transportation, freight, and other delivery charges are to be prepaid by the vendor and included in the proposal price.

Vendors must affirm in writing that all prices will be held firm for a period of 90 days from the date of the opening of the proposal.

5.- Delivery of Proposed Merchandise

Delivery of the merchandise will be understood to include bringing the merchandise to the appropriate buildings and rooms as designated by the Business Manager of the Board of Education or the District Systems Coordinator, and where applicable, uncrating the equipment, complete assembly, installation and adjustment by trained technicians, removal of all debris, equipment make-ready, start up and check-out, and correction of any malfunction. If this is an additional charge item, it must be specified in the Pricing Section.

Delivery may be made between the hours of 08:30 AM and 04:00 PM, Monday through Friday except on holidays.

Where delivery times are critical, Naugatuck Public Schools reserves the right to award accordingly.

6.- Inspections

Naugatuck Public Schools reserves the right to inspect any item or service for compliance with specifications and requirements. If a vendor proposes an item and cannot furnish a sample of said item for review, Naugatuck Public Schools reserves the right to reject the offer as non-compliant.

7.- Age of Equipment

The proposed equipment must be NEW OEM EQUIPMENT. Used or refurbished equipment and/or component parts will not be accepted unless specified.

8.- Disclosures

By signing the proposal, a vendor affirms that there has been no gift, no offer to give, nor any intent to give at any time any economic opportunity, promise of future employment, gift, loan, gratuity, special discount, trip, favor or service to an employee of the Naugatuck Public School District or the Borough of Naugatuck in connection with the proposal submitted.

1.- Quality of the Proposal

The quality of the proposal(s) submitted by a vendor will be viewed as a basic indication of the vendor’s capability and technical competence.

Quality is interpreted as:

• Completeness
• Accuracy
• Compliance with proposal instructions
• Organization and conciseness of descriptive text material

2.- Basis of Selection

No commitment will be made to select a vendor’s system solely on the basis of price.

3.- Additional Information

If the vendor requires additional information to complete the proposal, arrangement for obtaining this information shall be made with the Naugatuck Board of Education’s Business Manager or District Systems Coordinator at:

4.- Integration with the Current Network and Telecommunications Environments

Vendors must indicate the capability of their system to integrate into the Naugatuck Public Schools current telecommunications environment.

Vendors must demonstrate support, connectivity and transport of data across the entire wide-area network without loss of format or printing capabilities regardless of the end-user’s equipment and/or type of connection.

If additional hardware and/or software are required to effect the integration of the vendor’s software system into the current network environment, a detailed listing of these requirements must be provided with the corresponding associated cost.

Vendors must also indicate the flexibility of their system to adapt as environments changes.

1.- Wiring

Naugatuck Public Schools specifies using CAT 5 UTP for wire runs between wiring closets and the desktop and fiber optic cabling for the backbone and between wiring closets where distances require. Whenever fiber optic cable is used, there is redundant CAT 5 backup connectivity.

2.- LAN Hub Structure

Naugatuck Public Schools specifies a fault tolerant switched Ethernet environment running off either a CAT 5 or a fiber optic backbone as distances require.

3.- WAN Structure

Naugatuck Public Schools specifies using Frame Relay Service to interconnect sites where ever possible.

4.- Internet

The main Internet connection for Naugatuck Public Schools is located at the High School's computer center. Internet access is possible from any location on the Wide Area Network. Access is provided by a router using Frame Relay Service (FRS)  to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) through a firewall to keep the Naugatuck Public School’s network secure. The firewall provides protection for the school district’s TCP/IP network from outside intruders.

5.- Operating Systems

Naugatuck Public Schools WAN uses Novell Netware 5 as the network operating system. The desktop operating system is Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 5.

Description of Service

The service shall consist of FRS, a packet switching technique using access links with Permanent Virtual Circuits (PVC) to establish a data network connecting the Naugatuck Public Schools (NPS) locations as described in the table below (See Table 1).

FRS is a connection oriented packet switched data service that allows for the transfer of variable length frames (packets of data) across a wide geographical area. Frames are relayed through the network from source to destination by means of PVCs. PVCs are virtual paths that are defined in software and established from the data terminal equipment (router), through the dedicated Access Facilities, to (and through) the switch, and on to the distant location. PVCs are provisioned on either a 56Kbps or a 1.5 Mpbs Access Facility depending on the NPS networking requirements. The PVC connection is established through a service order provisioning process and is available throughout the entire subscription period. Each PVC end point is defined in the Frame Relay Network software with a Virtual Address.

PVC Parameters: NPS will jointly define with the Vendor the quality of service characteristics associated with each PVC; throughput (Committed Information Rate) and burst capabilities.

Frame Relay Access Facilities: Frame Relay Access Facilities are physical network connections from the customer’s premise to the Frame Relay network switch. Frame Relay access facilities connect to Frame Relay ports at the Frame Relay switch.

Frame Relay Ports: Frame Relay Ports are part of the network switch and are physical entry and termination points for the Frame Relay Access Facilities.

Frame relay requires the use of NPS owned terminal equipment. NPS currently uses Bay Networks 16 port 10/100 (Category 5) or 28K Autosensing switches with 28K Four Port Switch modules (Fiber Optic) as cable distances require.

Conditions of Service

NPS will pay the usual and customary monthly charges for FRS as determined by the bid process. In compliance with the stipulations of the Universal Service Fund, contracts should be automatically renewing yearly with tariffs calculated over a one, three or five year term.

Additional costs associated with FRS should be detailed. These may include, but not be limited to:

• Installation of service.
• Modification or upgrade of service
• Early termination of service.

Terminal equipment shall be the responsibility of NPS and conforms to the standards as set forth by the Consultive Committee for International Telephone and Telegraph (CCITT) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Vendor shall maintain and retain sole responsibility for those facilities used to provide FRS, and shall insure they comply with CCITT and ANSI standards.

Liability

The Vendor shall be liable for any damages arising as a result of furnishing FRS to Naugatuck Public Schools. NPS shall be permitted an allowance for interruptions in service.

Use of FRS

The FRS is solely for the use of NPS and will not be resold.

Customer Information

NPS acknowledges that the Vendor will collect proprietary information about the NPS network so as to provide a high quality of service. This information is available for sharing only with affiliated entities as it directly impacts the quality of service provided to NPS. Neither the Vendor, nor the Vendor’s affiliates, are authorized to share this proprietary information with an unaffiliated entity.

Table 1.- Naugatuck Public Schools – Frame Relay Service
 

Circuit From:	Circuit To:	Type	Acc. Speed	CIR	Be
	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	DS1	1.5
City Hill M. S. 441 City Hill Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Hillside M. S. 51 Hillside Ave. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Andrew Avenue 164 Andrew Ave. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Central Avenue 28 Central Ave. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Cross Street Cross St. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Hop Brook 75 Crown St. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Maple Hill 641 Maple Hill Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Prospect Street 100 Prospect St. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Salem 124 Meadow St. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Western 100 Pine St. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	FDS1	128	0.064	0.064
Board of Ed. 380 Church St. Naugatuck, CT	Naugatuck H. S. 543 Rubber Ave. Naugatuck, CT	DS0	0.056	0.028	0.028

Description of Service Requirements

Naugatuck Public Schools seeks an integrated provider of communications products and services. The Vendor should be a single point of contact, responsibility and accountability for telecommunications needs of the Naugatuck school system. Naugatuck Public Schools expects the service provider to perform professionally, keep it’s promises and work to meet the needs of the school district with quality products and services. The telecommunications system recommended should accommodate current needs while allowing for additions and growth as these needs change over time.

The service shall consist of outgoing traffic originated by the Naugatuck Public Schools from its facilities, delivered to the Vendor’s network via switched and dedicated facilities, and terminated to various locations; domestically and internationally incoming traffic originated domestically and terminated at the Naugatuck Public Schools facilities.

The following Conditions of Service should be mentioned:

1.- Pricing

• Domestic
• International
• Miscellaneous – such as, directory assistance, 800 calls, operator handled calls, calling card calls.

3.- Term of Service

• Initiation of service
• Cancellation of service
• Termination liability (if applicable)

5.- Liability for Damage

6.-Tariff Filings

The Vendor should offer financing options with the choice of purchasing the equipment outright, or selecting a finance plan to match the Naugatuck Public Schools’ particular needs. The district is interested in a complete telecommunications solution for now and into the future.

So as to insure that the employees of the Naugatuck Public Schools understand how to use the telecommunications system effectively, a training program will be included. The training program should be designed to include: station-user training, Attendant training and Post-cutover support.

Any and all contracts ensuing from this Request for Proposal shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut.

Current Telecommunication System

The recommended system should meet or exceed the current NPS cofiguration:

Centralink 3100

Standard Features

 

• Automatic Callback Calling
• Call Forwarding

-all calls
-busy line incoming
-busy line all calls
-don’t answer incoming
-don’t answer all calls
• Call Hold
• Call Pick-Up

-call pickup group
-directed call pickup with barge-in
-directed call pickup without barge-in
• Call Transfer
• Call Waiting
• Consultation
• Customer Software Change Feature
• Dial Access
• Direct Inward Dialing
• Direct Outward Dialing
• Distinctive Ringing
• Identified Outward Toll Dialng
• Night Answer
• Speed Call (Station)
• Station Hunting

-series completion hunt service
-multiline hunt service
-preferential hunt service
• Station Line Restrictions
• Station To Station Calling
• Three Way Calling
• Optional Features
• Abbreviated Dialing
• Attendant Features (Customer Provided Equipment)

-attendant camp on with indication
-attendant conference
-attendant call transfer
-night service
-attendant call hold
• Centralink 3100 – Optional Features continued
• Automatic Route Selection

-basic
-deluxe
• Call Forwarding Over Private Facilities
• Centralink Multiple Bill Arrangement
• Dial Transfer Tandem Tie Lines
• Foreign Exchange Transfer
• INWATS/800 Transfer (Per Line)
• Recorded Announcement
• Six (6) Way Conference Access
• Staton Message Detail Recording (SMDR)
• System Integration Digital Acces Links

-integrated voice mail access link
-electronic mail access link
-modem poolink access link
-attendant console loop access link
• Telephone Number Reservation
• Tie Line Terminals
• Two (2) Digit Speed Call Lists
• Uniform Call Distribution (UCD)

Table 2.- Naugatuck Public Schools Centrex Lines
 

Description of Service Requirements

Naugatuck Public Schools seeks an integrated provider of long distance telephone services. The Vendor should be a single point of contact, responsibility and accountability for the long distance needs of the Naugatuck school system. Naugatuck Public Schools expects the service provider to perform professionally, keep it’s promises and work to meet the needs of the school district with quality products and services. The long distance telephone recommended should integrate fully with the present telecommunications system, accommodate current needs while allowing for additions and growth as these needs change over time.

The service shall consist of outgoing traffic originated by the Naugatuck Public Schools from its facilities, delivered to the Vendor’s network via switched and dedicated facilities, and terminated to various locations; intrastate, interstate and internationally.

The following features are expected:

• Call anywhere within the United States, anytime, and pay a flat per minute rate.
• No term commitments, early termination penalties, monthly fees or complicated rate schedules
• Quality service at very competitive prices.
• Simple rate that applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Same rate for Instate and Out-of-State calls
• No up-front fees
• Convenience of one bill for all long distance calling needs
• Automatically receive competitive International rates at no additional charge

• Competetive rate for each minute for instate and out-of-state calls
• Domestic and International calls are billed to the second
• No monthly fees
• Receive the same usage rate for 1+ Outbound, Toll-Free Inbound, Calling Card and Operator Handled calls

• Outside-of-network carriers.
• A per call minimum.
• Surcharges for Operator Handled and Calling Card calls.
• Calling Card calls originating from specific states that are carried and billed by other carriers.
• Carrier Line Charges and Universal Service Fund charges.
• Variance by type of service and usage volumes.

Description of Service Requirements

Naugatuck Public Schools seeks an integrated provider of telecommunication system service. The Vendor should be a single point of contact, responsibility and accountability for the maintenance needs of the Naugatuck school telecommunications system. Naugatuck Public Schools expects the service provider to perform professionally, keep it’s promises and work to meet the needs of the school district with quality products and services. The system maintenance plan recommended should adequately cover repairs (parts and labor) to the present telecommunications system, accommodate current needs while allowing for additions and changes as needs change over time.

Typical Plan Types Expected:
Note: *These items are defined in the Glossary of Terms*.

A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

The comprehensive plan would cover all repairs performed on the telecommunication system (parts and labor) during business hours*. In addition, should Naugatuck Public Schools experience Total System Failure* outside of the normal business hours, all parts and labor would also be covered by the annual fee.

For emergencies during business hours, the Vendor will dispatch a representative to your premises generally within two business hours. In the event of a Total System Failure, the Vendor should respond* immediately. During business hours, the district would be quickly connected to a qualified member of the technical staff. In the case of catastrophic events*, the Vendor will provide the temporary use of equipment, if necessary, until the system is repaired or replaced. Installation of the temporary equipment is covered by this plan.

This plan should also be available with an option for 7-days-a-week, 24 hours-a-day coverage for key system locations.

A DEDUCTIBLE PLAN

The deductible plan would protect the telecommunication system, including parts and labor, during business hours. A flat-rate deductible amount would apply for each repair call made within the business day. The annual fee covers the remainder of the charges.

In emergency situations*, a representative will be dispatched to the premises generally within two business hours. Total System Failure repair calls should receive immediate priority handling. During business hours, the school district will be directed to a technical specialist. In the case of catastrophic events, the Vendor will provide the temporary use of equipment, if necessary, until the system is repaired or replaced. Labor charges for the installation of temporary equipment and out-of-hours service are the only repair labor charges Naugatuck Public Schools would ever pay.

A SECURITY PLAN

A low up-front fee plan, this plan would protect the school district against the impact of a Total System Failure.

If the telecommunications system is rendered incapable of switching calls and processing information, at anytime of the day or night, the Vendor should respond immediately. Prevailing out-of-hours rates woould apply to repair calls made outside of the business day. In case of catastrophic events, the Vendor will provide the temporary use of equipment, if necessary, until the system is repaired or replaced (Installation charges will apply).

If Naugatuck Public Schools should experience other troubles with the telecommunications system Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., the Vendor will have trained technicians and engineers ready to fix the problem. A prompt response is provided for under this plan. All parts and labor would be billed at prevailing rates.

TIME AND MATERIAL

If Naugatuck Public Schools does not wish to enter into a Service Agreement with the Vendor, the Vendor will still provide service in the event of an equipment or system malfunction. Labor and materials will be billed at prevailing rates and an additional administrative charge would apply per visit to cover overhead cost normally factored into Service Plan pricing. These cost are associated with items such as test gear, spare parts inventory and technical documentation brought to the premises.

Out-of-hours charges would apply for all calls outside of the normal business hours. Response time would be dependent upon the severity of the problem and commitments to other customers. If service should be affected by a major emergency, the Vendor will do their best to respond as quickly as possible, based upon workload and the availability of technical personnel.

In the event of a Total System Failure due to catastrophic events, the Vendor will rent the school district temporary equipment (based upon availability) until the system can be repaired or replaced. Installation charges will apply.

A PREMIUM PLAN

The premium plan would provide coverage for PBX systems (switch* and stations *), 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Troubles resulting in Total System Failure will receive immediate priority handling. During business hours, the school district would be quickly directed to a qualified technical staff member. For other emergencies, a representative would respond generally within 2 hours. In the case of catastrophic events, the Vendor would provide the temporary use of equipment, if necessary, until the system is repaired or replaced. All repairs, except as defined under the conditions of the service contract, would be covered by the annual fee.

Special features of the plan might include critical software changes within one business day and a discount off list price on any station and common equipment* moves, adds or changes within the same building. In addition to a standard one-year payment option, an alternative two-year plan could also be available.

Business Hours: 8:00 am. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding school holidays.

Catastrophic Events: Damage to the telecommunications equipment rendering it inoperative and not readily repairable, caused by factors local to a building site such as water pipes bursting or fire in the equipment room.

Common Equipment: Components inherent in the physical PBX switch.

Coverage Time: Contracted hours in which the Vendor will provide repair service.

Charges may or may not apply depending upon the specific service plan selected.

Response outside of indicated coverage times would be charged at prevailing rates.

Emergency Service: Service provided when a telecommunications system problem severely restricts the processing of calls either externally or internally. Examples: Console out-of-service, can't make or receive calls, large percentage of telephones out-of-service.

Priority Service: Service provided when a telecommunications system problem affects telephone service to some individual users but does not severely restrict the processing of calls either externally or internally to the system. Examples: A non-working telephone set a defective line or trunk circuit pack.

Remote Diagnostics: Accessing the PBX system from a maintenance center for the purpose of interrogating the system and potentially clearing any troubles.

Response Time: Time elapsed between when trouble is reported and the time that the Vendor begins to act on behalf of the school district to resolve the trouble. Generally this includes, but is not limited to, dispatching a technician to the premises or remotely accessing the switch, if technically possible. Stated response objectives are generally within the business day hours. For all plans, a commitment would not be made out of business hours unless specifically requested. Charges may or may not apply depending upon the specific service plan selected.

Routine Service: Service provided when telecommunications systems problem impairs a minor feature of the system or station and does not restrict the processing of calls either externally or internally to the system. Examples: A frayed receiver cord or a crack in a telephone set.

Station: Telephone set associated with the common switching equipment.

Switch: All common call processing equipment, including the console up to the mail distribution frame.

Total System Failure: Loss of productive use of a processing unit such that the system is incapable of switching calls/data and processing information.