Tiffany’s Networking
Request for Proposal for a Technology Network Infrastructure

May 6, 2011

1 Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to invite prospective vendors to submit a proposal to supply a Structured Cabling solution to Tiffany’s networking. The RFP provides vendors with the relevant operational, performance, and architectural requirements for the solution.

2 Coverage & Participation

The intended coverage of this RFP, and any agreement resulting from this solicitation, shall be for the use of all departments at Tiffany’s networking along with any satellite offices. Tiffany’s networking reserves the right to add and/or delete elements, or to change any element of the coverage and participation at any time without prior notification and without any liability or obligation of any kind or amount.

General Information

The Enterprise Insert Enterprise Description Here Describe the enterprise in a few brief paragraphs. State the core business of the enterprise, the number of employees and the general size of the IT infrastructure: number of workstations, servers, etc. Include a description of the business and location including any satellite offices that will be involved in the project. Describe the overall objectives of the Structured Cabling solution purchase. Focus on larger business goals, not technical specifications. For example, most enterprises put the purchase of a Structured Cabling solution in the context of meeting specific goals in a data center expansion or a building project, and to ensure a specific level of availability and future growth for the facility. List how the structured cabling solution will contribute to these goals. For example:

• Improve application availability through cabling and access redundancy.

• Create a more efficient and flexible cable management environment.

• Make maximum use of available cable pathway capacity through efficient utilization.

• Centralize management of all cable management through structured method.

1 Original RFP Document

Tiffany’s Networking shall retain the RFP, and all related terms and conditions, exhibits, and other attachments in original form in an archival copy. Any modification of these, in the vendor’s submission, is grounds for immediate disqualification. The RFP may not be distributed without prior written permission of Tiffany’s Networking.

2 Schedule of Events

The following is a tentative schedule that will apply to this RFP but may change in accordance with the organization’s needs or unforeseen circumstances.

Issuance of RFP May 1, 2011 Technical Questions/Inquiries due May 9, 2011 RFP Closes May 11, 2011 Complete Initial Evaluation June 1, 2011 Final Award Notification June 9, 2011

4 Vendor’s Understanding of the RFP

In responding to this RFP, the vendor accepts the responsibility fully to understand the RFP in its entirety, and in detail, including making any inquiries to Tiffany’s networking as necessary to gain such understanding. Tiffany’s networking reserves the right to disqualify any vendor who demonstrates less than such understanding. Furthermore, Tiffany’s networking reserves the right to determine, at its sole discretion, whether the vendor has demonstrated such understanding. That right extends to cancellation of award if award has been made. Such disqualification and/or cancellation shall be at no fault, cost, or liability whatsoever to Tiffany’s networking.

5 Good Faith Statement

All information provided Tiffany’s networking in this RFP is offered in good faith. Individual items are subject to change at any time. Tiffany’s networking makes no certification that any item is without error, Tiffany’s networking is not responsible or liable for any use of the information or for any claims asserted there from.

6 Communication

Verbal communication shall not be effective unless formally confirmed in writing by a specified procurement official in charge of managing this RFP process. In no case shall verbal communication govern over written communication. Vendors’ inquiries, questions, and requests for clarification related to this RFP are to be directed in writing to:

Tiffany’s networking: Tiffany Crawford 555 E Main St. Elizabethton, TN 37643

Applicable terms and conditions herein shall govern communications and inquiries between Tiffany’s networking and vendors as they relate to this RFP.

Informal Communications shall include, but are not limited to: requests from/to vendors or vendors’ representatives in any capacity, to/from any Tiffany’s networking employee or representative of any kind or capacity with the exception of Tiffany’s networking for information, comments, speculation, etc. Inquiries for clarifications and information that will not require addenda may be submitted verbally to the named above at any time.

Formal Communications shall include, but are not limited to:

• Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in writing and be received prior May 9, 2011 by 5pm.

• Errors and omissions in this RFP and enhancements: Vendors shall bring to Tiffany’s networking, any discrepancies, errors, or omissions that may exist within this RFP. With respect to this RFP, vendors shall recommend to Tiffany’s networking any enhancements, which might be in Tiffany’s networking best interests. These must be submitted in writing and received prior May 10, 2011.

• Inquiries about technical interpretations must be submitted in writing and received prior to May 5, 2011 by 5pm

• Inquiries for clarifications/information that will not require addenda may be submitted verbally to the buyer named above at any time during this process.

• Verbal and/or written presentations and pre-award negations under this RFP.

• Addenda to this RFP.

Addenda: Tiffany’s networking will make a good-faith effort to provide a written response to each question or request for clarification that requires addenda within 3 business days. Tiffany’s networking Tiff_7010@yahoo.com 423-555-9087 Fax: 423-55-9000

Tiffany’s networking will not respond to any questions/requests for clarification that require addenda, if received Tiffany’s networking after May 5, 2011 by 5pm.

7 Overview of Proposed Solution

Provide the high-level description of the proposed educational institution structured cabling solution as well as its basic elements (racks and cabinets, terminations, documentation, cross-connect subsystem, expansion options, testing, industry standards referenced). Describe in general terms the critical attributes of the solution which will have a major impact on Tiffany’s networking meeting our overall goals as stated in Section 2 above. Also list included software for cable management as well as inventory management software inputs.

8 Technical Specifications

Please describe in detail how the proposed structured cabling solution will meet or exceed each of the following baseline requirements. Provide baseline technical requirements for the structured cabling solution. For each requirement have the vendor list what their solution provides. The vendor, of course, will be motivated to exceed baseline requirements.

9 Main Equipment Room (MER)/ Telecommunications Room (TR)

A MER or TR is an area within the data center to house equipment associated with the telecommunications/data wiring systems. State a baseline requirement for specification from the solution as well as expectations for longer-term incremental non-disruptive growth. For example: a single intra-building backbone with the capability to grow capacity to a campus-wide distribution frame. Vendors should also indicate if their solution meets grounding and bonding requirements, and lightning and surge protection requirements.

10 Voice Communications

Specify whether patch panels (RJ-45) or 110 cross-connect system (rack mounted field terminated wiring blocks) will be required. Include current baseline requirements for number of terminations as well as long-term growth expectations. For example: vendor must install adequate cross-connect equipment to allow for a minimum of 20% additional growth (terminations) upon acceptance. Mounted and fixed cross-connect fields and frames must to allow for easy expansion.

11 Data Communications

Provide specific details about the number of connections required by application (e.g. LANs, IP telephony servers and switches, SANs, WANs, high-end workstations, server clusters). Additionally, provide guidance on cabling media to be included or excluded (e.g. Category 5E, Category 6A Infiniband, Multimode fiber (OM3), Single mode fiber (OS1), etc.) Include current baseline requirements for number of terminations as well as long-term growth expectations. For example: the solution shall provide for a minimum 20% additional growth (terminations) for each application after all base-line requirements described by [Insert Enterprise Name Here] have been met. All patched panels and cross-connect frames must allow for easy expansion.

12 Equipment Cabinets, Racks & Tray Systems

Provide specific details about the current number of connections required by application (e.g. LANs, IP telephony servers and switches, SANs, WANs, high-end workstations, server clusters). Additionally provide the vendor with architectural drawings of the room. Include any specific requirements such as lockable cabinet requirements, if electrical strips are to be included in the solution, fill ratio limits, etc. For example: the solution shall be well placed, flexible, and accessible. Data center hosted applications require that cables and cable pathways be protected from damage, degradation, and heat loads. All cabling equipment and mechanical pathways must provide separation of power and data, ensure accessibility and security, and have a maximum pathway fill at a delivery of 25% to allow for future growth.

13 Cable Management

State the enterprise requirements for the ongoing cable management of the solution. For example: the vendor’s solution is expected to allow [Insert Enterprise Name Here] to maintain a database of structure cabling components across the data center. This solution must utilize proper labeling schemas for terminations (e.g. color coded to indicate application, no hand written labels), include Visio, CAD and/or shop floor drawings for all solution sub-systems and rooms, and equipment lists in an electronic format.

14 Testing

Testing shall conform to ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-C.1 standards. Testing is expected to be completed using level IIe or higher field testers. Submit electronic media with test results.

15 Warrant/ Support

Unless otherwise specified, the vendor should unconditionally guarantee in writing the materials, equipment, and workmanship for a period of not less than fifteen (15) years from the date of acceptance by the enterprise. Tiffany’s networking shall deem acceptance as beneficial use.

16 Sequence & Scheduling

Submit schedule for installation of equipment and cabling. Indicate delivery, installation, and testing for conformance to completion dates.

Vendor Qualifications & References

All vendors must provide the following information in order for their proposal to be considered:

1. A brief outline of the vendor company and services offered, including:

• Full legal name of the company.

• Year business was established.

• Number of people currently employed.

2. An outline of the product line-up they currently support.

3. A description of their geographic reach and market penetration.

4. An outline of their partnerships and relationships to date.

5. An outline of their current and future strategies in the marketplace.

6. Information on current clients, including:

• Total number of current clients.

• A list of clients with similar needs using the same solution.

• Evidence of successful completion of a project of a similar size and complexity.

7. References: contact information for 3 references (if possible) from projects similar in size, application, and scope, and a brief description of their implementation.

Budget & Estimated Pricing

Tiffany’s networking has a total budget of [Insert Total Budget Figure & Currency Type Here] for this project.

All vendors must fill out the following cost breakdown for the implementation of their structured cabling solution for Tiffany’s networking’s project as described in this RFP. Costs should be identified as either capital or non-capital in nature. The vendor must agree to keep these prices valid for 60 days as of May 1, 2011.

Provide a five year cost summary as displayed below.

|Five Year Total Cost Summary |
|Costs |Total |Year 1 |Year 2 |Year 3 |Year 4 |Year 5 |
|Structural/room costs, coring, etc. | | | | | | |
|Cross-connect material and hardware | | | | | | |
|Equipment cabinets, racks, and cable tray | | | | | | |
|systems | | | | | | |
|Electrical, grounding, bonding, surge | | | | | | |
|protection | | | | | | |
|Support/maintenance | | | | | | |
|Installation | | | | | | |
|Integration | | | | | | |
|Miscellaneous | | | | | | |
|Other (specify) | | | | | | |
|Total: | | | | | | |

. 4. Scope of Work, Specifications & Requirements
Include a detailed list of the Business and System Requirements. Include further description for each requirement and ask the vendor to describe how they will fulfill each requirement. Use the list of potential structured cabling features listed below as a starting point. Add, expand upon, modify, or delete requirements as needed.

Vendor Certification

This certification attests to the vendor’s awareness and agreement to the content of this RFP, and all accompanying calendar schedules and provisions contained herein.

The vendor must ensure that the following certificate is duly completed and correctly executed by an authorized officer of your company.

This proposal is submitted in response to the Request for Proposal for a Data Center Structured Cabling Solution issued by Tiffany’s networking. The undersigned is a duly authorized officer, and hereby certifies that:

| |

(Vendor Name)
Agrees to be bound by the content of this proposal and agrees to comply with the terms, conditions, and provisions of the referenced RFP and any addenda thereto in the event of an award. Exceptions are to be noted as stated in the RFP. The proposal shall remain in effect for a period of 60 calendar days as of the Due Date of the RFP.

The undersigned further certify that their firm (check one): IS IS NOT
Currently debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment by any federal entity. The undersigned agree to notify Tiffany’s networking of any change in this status, should one occur, until such time as an award has been made under this procurement action.

Person(s) authorized to negotiate on behalf of this firm for purposes of this RFP are:

|Name: | |Title: | |
|Signature: | |Date: | |
| | |Title: | |
|Name: | | | |
|Signature: | |Date: | |

Signature of Authorized Officer:
|Name: | |Title: | |
|Signature: | |Date: | |

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