Request For Proposal / Quotes
2023-2024 Request for Proposal/Quotation
QSD-IT-25-01 - CYBERSECURITY PILOT PROGRAM - MANAGED DETECTION & RESPONSE (MDR) ANTIVIRUS SERVICE
QSD-IT-25-01 Q&A
Question: The RFP says a signed response is required. The only signature item I see is Exhibit A, which is for the awarded bidder I assume. If a signed response is required where is it supposed to be signed? Or is a signature not required?
Answer: The only sections in the RFP that should require a signature are page 2 - signed statement of qualifications and Exhibit A - the addendum which would be signed after a contract is awarded.
Question: So we just need to sign anywhere on page 2?
Answer: No. Page 2 references the SOQ which is outlined on page 5 & 6. This is what would be signed.
Question: Would the district consider X platform for this opportunity? If X is an acceptable solution under this bid, would it be possible to schedule a meeting with our team and our X representative to further discuss how we can meet the district’s cybersecurity needs?
Answer: Please submit a response to the RFP.
Question: If we want to participate in the zoom meeting for your MDR RFP, what do we need to do?
Answer: Please see addendum 1 on the Quitman School District RFP page listed in the RFP for the Zoom information.
Question: If you could complete the attached quote form, I can provide accurate pricing tailored to your district. Additionally, you’ll find further details across our cybersecurity stack in the attached preliminary proposal. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Answer: Submit a repsonse to the RFP.
Question: To create an accurate pricing structure for our RFP submission, please review and respond to the questions outlined in the attached document.
Answer: Please attend the required Zoom meeting and ask any questions at that time.
Question: Can you please provide us the proper WEB SITE LINK or PDF document to participate in this ANTIVIRUS requirement.
Answer: https://www.quitmanschools.org/departments/technology/request-for-proposal-quotes
Question: Has this been released?
Answer: https://www.quitmanschools.org/departments/technology/request-for-proposal-quotes
Question: Do you want to see a demo or anything ahead of time?
Answer: A demo is not necessary.
Question: As we reviewed your application for cybersecurity pilot funding, we identified two strong solutions - X and Y - that align well with the program’s goals and requirements. Let me know if you’d like more details, pricing, or a brief walkthrough of how these would fit in a school environment.
Answer: Submit a response to the RFP.
Question: Is there a reseller you’d prefer to get a quote through? If not I plan to use X vendor.
Answer: I can not answer questions regarding preferred vendors. Please just submit a response to the RFP.
Question: I have been unable to locate to locate the CPPQuitmanFY2025RFP to accompany 470 CBR420250427. Could you please provide a copy or the link to access to download the RFP from Central Bidding?
Answer: Quitman School District did not use Central Bidding. The RFP and Addendum #1 was posted to the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration website using the Mississippi Bid Bank.
The RFP and Addendum #1 can be found on the DFA website:
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid/Details/41719?AppId=1&Status=Open&ProcurementCategoryID=02&SubProcurementCategoryID=02
The RFP and Addendum #1 was also uploaded as part of our Form 470 submission and can be found on the USAC website:
https://opendata.usac.org/stories/s/Cybersecurity-Pilot-FCC-Form-470-Download-Tool/jsy6-d5cw/
Question: I see there’s a mandatory Zoom meeting this morning at 9:00 for your CyberSecurity bid. Do you mind adding me to the invite?
Answer: Zoom link can be found in Addendum #1 - https://www.quitmanschools.org/departments/technology/request-for-proposal-quotes
Question: I’m writing to request the Zoom link for the mandatory vendor meeting scheduled for today.
Answer: Required meeting occurred at 9 AM with the appropriate link included in the RFP Addendum posted to the following locations:
Form 470 submission on the USAC website - https://opendata.usac.org/stories/s/Cybersecurity-Pilot-FCC-Form-470-Download-Tool/jsy6-d5cw/
Mississippi Department of Finance Adminisrtation - https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Bid/Details/41719?AppId=1&Status=Open&ProcurementCategoryID=02&SubProcurementCategoryID=02
Quitman School District RFP website - https://www.quitmanschools.org/departments/technology/request-for-proposal-quotes
Question: How many licenses are you requesting be quoted?
Answer: 500
Question: Are any of those devices Windows? Apple? Servers?
Answer: 15-20 Servers, 10-15 Apple, remaining are Windows
Question: Are the servers virtual or bare metal?
Answer: Servers are virtual through VMWare
Question: What does your network infrastructure look like?
Answer: That is outside of the scope of this RFP and not relevant.
Question: Do you currently run an MDM?
Answer: That is outside of the scope of this RFP and not relevant.
Question: Do you currently have and MDR solution or will this be a completely new solution?
Answer: Quitman School District does not currently have an MDR solution. This will be a completely new solution.
Question: Do you require 24/7 onsite response time?
Answer: There was not requirement in the RFP that there be 24/7 onsite response.
Question: How often do reports need to be sent?
Answer: The RFP did not detail how often reports should be sent. The report scheule can be part of the prospective bidders submission.
Question: Would we be able to get a copy of the recording of this webinar?
Answer: Unfortunately there was a technical issue this morning and the recording did not record, even though Zoom provided the announcement "Recording in Progress"
Question: Can you provide the # of seats we should quote out?
Answer: 500. All questions posed since the release of the RFP and the answers to those questions can be found here - https://www.quitmanschools.org/departments/technology/request-for-proposal-quotes
Question: Does the District have an established budget for this project?
Answer: The budget will be dictated by USAC. We have not received a FCDL so do not have a definitive budget at this time.
Question: Is the District currently working with a vendor for IT services? If so, can the District identify the vendor?
Answer: Quitman School District is not currently working with any specific vendor for IT services.
Question: Has the District previously undergone any cybersecurity assessments?
Answer: Yes
Question: Can the District confirm the total number of students currently enrolled across the entire district?
Answer: Total number of students currently enrolled has no relevance to this RFP.
Question: Regarding the “Criteria for Selection” on page 7 of the RFP: Can the District clarify whether offerors who have not previously worked with the District and are not Mississippi-based will automatically lose 30% of the evaluation score (i.e., 15% for "Prior Experience with the District" and 15% for "Preference to Mississippi Based Companies")?
Answer: Responses will be taken as a whole and have the rubric applied. Responders do not necessarily automatically lose 30%.
Question: To provide an accurate pricing, we would need quantity: Workstations (Laptops, Desktops) and server quantities (Physical and Virtual)?
Answer: Please see Q&A - https://www.quitmanschools.org/departments/technology/request-for-proposal-quotes
Question: Are there any mobile devises? (IPADS, Chrome, IOS)?
Answer: This is outside the scope of this project.
Question: Are there any OS (Operating System) requirements?
Answer: Please see Q&A - https://www.quitmanschools.org/departments/technology/request-for-proposal-quotes
Question: What term contract are you looking for (Contract Term Length)?
Answer: Please read the RFP for the contract term.
Question: Is there a preferred reseller partner?
Answer: No preference.
Question: Unfortunately my team and I were not able to make it to the pre proposal meeting. Are we still allowed to submit even though the chance of us getting rejected is probable?
Answer: Yes you may submit, however, as you stated because the pre-bid meeting was mandatory the chance of being rejected is probable.