When is the submission deadline?

Submissions are due October 29, 2026. Questions must be submitted by October 2, 2026.

It was issued by The School District Of Manatee County. The work is located in Bradenton, Florida, United States.

Who is a good fit for this opportunity?

Internet service providers with experience delivering managed Layer 3 services. Telecommunications firms capable of providing leased lit fiber. Vendors experienced with E-Rate program requirements and funding cycles. Providers with public-sector, school, or library connectivity experience.

E-Rate Funding Internet Service (Due October 29, 2026)

A Bradenton, Florida government authority seeks E-Rate funding year 27 internet service, including leased lit fiber and fully managed Layer 3 internet service. Questions are due by October 2, 2026, and proposals are due by October 29, 2026.

Must possess a SPIN number or have applied for one at the time of bid submission.
Must be a registered service provider with the USAC Schools and Libraries Division.
Must provide 20 Gbps sustained throughput, upgradable to 80 Gbps per circuit.
Must provide fully managed Layer 3 internet service with bundled UTM.
Must provide connectivity and handoff via two 10 Gbps Multi-mode SFP+ at each site.
Must guarantee 99.99% monthly uptime.
Must support dynamic routing utilizing BGP and portable AS numbers.
Must support IPv4 and IPv6 routing addresses.
Must provide E-rate compliant firewall as a service bundle.
Must provide network engineering support 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Must maintain network monitoring with notification to SDMC within 5 minutes of disruption.
Must provide web-based real-time bandwidth utilization visibility.
Must comply with Jessica Lunsford Act and Level 2 background screening requirements.
Must provide proof of insurance including $1,000,000 general liability and other specified coverages.

September 16th, 2026: Request for Proposal notice e-mailed and posted.

October 2nd, 2026: Questions/Clarifications due.

October 9th, 2026: Addenda posted.

October 29th, 2026: Proposals due by 3:00 p.m. E.T.

November 9th, 2026: Evaluation of bids and selection of contractor(s).

November 10th, 2026: Notice of Intent to Award posted.

December 2026: School Board Award of Proposal.

Primary procurement contact — name, title, email, and phone

Additional decision-makers and their departments

A government authority in Bradenton, Florida is seeking a vendor to provide E-Rate funding year 27 internet service and leased lit fiber. The requested solution includes fully managed Layer 3 internet service with bundled services.

The E-Rate program helps make telecommunications and information services more affordable for eligible schools and libraries through discounts funded by the Universal Service Fund. The selected vendor will support the provision of qualifying internet access services under the program.

E-Rate Funding Internet Service

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