Request for Quote/Proposal (RFQ/RFP)

Attachments to RFP:

1. Attachment “A” – CommoditySpecifications
2. Attachment “B” – Instructions toBidders/Sellers
3. AllPO Terms and Conditions are listed on our website at forth at:

https://www.rti.org/sites/default/files/rti-purchase-order-terms-and-conditions-v1.16.pdf, http://www.rti.org/files/PO_FAR_Clauses.pdf or for commercial items: http://www.rti.org/files/PO_FAR_Clauses_Commercial_Items.pdf (hereinafter the “Terms”). Supplier’s delivery of products, performance of services, or issuance of invoices in connection with this purchase order establishes Supplier’s agreement to the Terms. The Terms may only be modified in writing signed by both parties.

All bidders/sellers are responsible to carefully review each attachment and follow any instructions that may be relevant to this procurement.

Attachment A

Commodity Specifications or Statement of Work

Statement of Work

Indicate a description of the activity/service that is expected from the supplier. Provide product specifications or service expectations (both if applicable). Include deliverables, timelines, and any special terms and conditions.

Description of Activity/Service:

Provision of a primary link of fiber optic internet for RTI’s Rwanda Hanga Akazi (HA) project offices located on 5^th floor of Equity Bank (Former Cogebanque building)

Please quote for bandwidth capacity of dedicated fiber optic internet 40Mbps Up and down  

The terms of reference aim to provide a framework for full TCP/IP Internet Service Provision of a dedicated fiber optic internet 40Mbps Up and down at the above described location.

The service should be provided based on fixed fee to be paid monthly with an option for quarterly payments.

Connection should be fiber optic end-to-end (i.e., from customer premises equipment to the internet) and the service is expected to be highly stable and reliable.

The successful internet provider must have 7x24x365 coverage for technical assistance and/or helpdesk facilities, where possible a dedicated contact support person.

Deliverables, Timelines, Special Terms and Conditions:

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INTERNET SERVICE PROVISION FOR RTI Hanga Akazi Project offices.

TechnicalRequirements: 

• Internet service should be based on fixed monthly fee with an option for aquarterly payment plan with no additional payment or limitation by traffic amount and 
• Speed requirement: 40 Mbps Ups amd Down.
• No limitations on traffic/ports; bandwidth capacity should be ensured through directIP connection; no mandatory proxy servers and firewalls
• Subnet of at least 6 static publicly routable IP addresses is required
• Service reliability must be ensured. Overall uptime should not be less than 99%- Please provide a detailed SLA
• The ISP should have redundancy on the major international gateways- Pleaseprovide details of existing international links that you 
• Support Managed VPNServices
• The ISP equipment must be compatible with our firewalls and the last mile termination should be
• Avail free and unlimited 24/7 technical support throughout the service provisionperiod
• Dedicated engineer and Accountmanager
• Provide traffic management tools, network monitoring and access to bandwidth utilization
• Quality of Service on the fiberlinks
• The vendor is also responsible for contacting / communicating to designated Hanga Akazi (HA) technical personnel for both scheduled and unscheduleddowntime
• The Internet service provider will provide Internet services for the Rwanda HA office atcontracted bandwidth capacity of  40 Mbps Ups and down 

Key services to be supported include the following internet-centrictasks:

• Emails
• Virtual private networks (i.e., no port blocking for VPNservices)
• Multimedia presentations, including Skype
• Large file transfers (ftptraffic)
• Cloud services (hosted email, hosted accounting applications,)
• Onlinebanking
• Downloading/uploading largefiles
• Onlinebackup
• Onlineresearch
• Remote supportapplications
• VOIP in place of PBX phone systems (when the needarises)

Additionalrequirements:

• The vendor(s) may carry out a site visit in order to establish the feasibility of a proposed Internet
• Selected vendor should provide a mechanism of Internet traffic monitoring to enable the client keep track of the usage on site (See technical requirements). This can be web interface facility to allow the program office to retrieve real time and historical information on network performance, utilization and usage
• Clearly indicate the initial contract period, during this period either party can terminate the contract by giving 30days
• The successful provider must have a physical presence, including availability of technical support inKigali, Rwanda.
• The vendor will be responsible for providing all hardware equipment required to carry out the full implementation of the Internet service at office site. Kindly specify the make/model of equipment that will be provided. The hardware provided should be able to integrate with our Cisco Meraki appliances.

Pricing

By signing this attachment, the bidder confirms he has a complete understanding of the specifications and fully intends to deliver items that comply with the above listed specifications.

Signature: Title: Date:

Attachment “B”

Instructions to Bidders/Sellers

Procurement Narrative Description: The Buyer (RTI) intends to purchase commodities and/or services identified in Attachment A. The Buyer intends to purchase the quantities (for commodities) and/or services (based on deliverables identified in a Statement of Work). The term of the Ordering Agreement shall be from Award Date to the Delivery date of the Offeror unless extended by mutual agreement of the parties. The Buyer intends to award to a single “approved’ supplier based on conformance to the listed specifications, the ability to service this contract, and selling price. We reserve the right to award to more than one bidder. If an Ordering Agreement is established as a result of this RFQ/RFP, supplier understands that quantities indicated in the specifications (Attachment A) are an estimate only and RTI does not guarantee the purchase quantity of any item

Procuring Activity:This procurement will be made by Research Triangle Institute (RTI International), located at

RTI shall award the initial quantities and/or services and any option quantities (if exercised by RTI) to Seller by a properly executed Purchase Order as set forth within the terms of this properly executed agreement.

Proposal Requirements. All Sellers will submit a quote/proposal which  contains  offers  for all items and options included in this RFQ/RFP. All information presented in the Sellers quote/proposal will be considered during RTI’s evaluation. Failure to submit the information required in this RFQ/RFP may result in Seller’s offer being deemed non-responsive. Sellers are responsible for submitting offers, and any modifications, revisions, or withdrawals, so as to reach RTI’s office designated in the RFQ/RFP by the time and date specified in the RFQ/RFP. Any offer, modification, revision, or withdrawal of an offer received at the RTI office designated in the RFQ/RFP after the exact time specified for receipt of offers is “late” and may not be considered at the discretion of the RTI Procurement Officer. The Seller’s proposal shall include thefollowing:

• The solicitationnumber:
• The date and timesubmitted:
• The name, address, and telephone number of the seller (bidder) and authorized signature of same:
• Validity period ofQuote:
• A technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in the solicitation. This mayinclude product literature, or other documents, if
• If RTI informs Seller that the Commodity is intended for export and the Commodity is not classified for export under Export Classification Control Number (ECCN) “EAR99” ofthe
• U.S. Department of Commerce Export Administration Regulations (EAR), then Seller must provide RTI the correct ECCN and the name of Seller’s representative responsible for Trade Compliance who can confirm the export classification.
• Lead Time Availability of theCommodity/Service.
• Terms of warranty describing what and how the warranties will be
• Special pricing instructions: Price and any discount terms or special requirements or terms (special note: pricing must include guaranteed firm fixed prices for items requested.
• Payment address or instructions (if different from mailingaddress)
• Acknowledgment of solicitation amendments (ifany)
• Past performance information, when included as an evaluation factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including points of contact with telephone numbers, and other relevantinformation)

(m Special Note: The Seller, by his response to this RFQ/RFP and accompanying signatures, confirms that the terms and conditions associated with this RFQ/RFP document have been agreed to and all of its attachments have been carefully read and understood and all related questions answered.

4. Forms: Sellers (potential bidders or suppliers) must record their pricing utilizing the format found on Attachment “A”. Sellers must sign the single hardcopy submitted and send to address listed on the cover page of thisRFQ/RFP.
5. Questions Concerningthe  All questions in regard to this RFQ/RFP to be directed to

(Insert name of procurement officer)

at this email address:

(Insert email address of the procurement officer).

The cut-off date for questions is (insert date).

Notificationsand Deliveries: Time is of the essence for this  Seller shall deliver.

the items or services no later than the dates set forth in the contract that will be agreed by both parties as a result of this RFQ/RFP. The Seller shall immediately contact the Buyer’s Procurement Officer if the specifications, availability, or the delivery schedule(s) changes. Exceptional delays will result in financial penalties being imposed of Seller.

7.Documentation: The following documents will be required for payment for eachitem:

• A detailed invoice listing Purchase Order Number, Bank information with wiring instructions (whenapplicable)
• PackingList
• All relevant product/service documentation (manuals, warranty doc, certificate of analysis,)

8. Payment Terms: Refer to RTI purchase order terms and conditions found in https://rti.org/sites/default/files/rti-purchase-order-terms-and-conditions-v1.16.pdf,

http://www.rti.org/files/PO_FAR_Clauses.pdf,  OR http://www.rti.org/files/PO_FAR_Clauses_Commercial_Items.pdf. Payment can be made via wire transfer or other acceptable form. Sellers may propose alternative payment terms and they will be considered in the evaluation process.

9. Alternative Proposals: Sellers are permitted to offer “alternatives” should they not be able to meet the listed requirements. Any alternative proposals shall still satisfy the minimum requirements set forth in Attachment A

10.Inspection Process: Each item shall be inspected prior to final acceptance of the item. All significant discrepancies, shortages, and/or faults must be satisfactorily corrected and satisfactorily documented prior to delivery and release of

11.Evaluation and Award Process: The RTI Procurement Officer will award an agreement contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Seller (bidder) whose offer conforms to the RFQ/RFP will be most advantageous to RTI, price and other factors considered. The award will be made to the Seller representing the best value to the project and to RTI. For the purpose of this RFQ/RFP, price, delivery, technical and past performance are of equal importance for the purposes of evaluating and selecting the “best value” awardee. RTI intends to evaluate offers and award an Agreement without discussions with Sellers. Therefore, the Seller’s initial offer should contain the Seller’s best terms from a price and technical standpoint. However, RTI reserves the right to conduct discussions if later determined by the RTI Procurement Officer to be

The evaluation factors will be comprised of the following criteria:

• PRICE. Lowest evaluated ceiling price (inclusive of all taxes)

Submission of all administrative documents (Checklist)

1. Fully signed and stamped RFP,
2. RDB registration certificate,
3. RURA License,
4. Valid RRA tax clearance
5. At least 3 recommendation letters proofing the experience in providing the same services.

N.B: Non-Submission of one of the above requested administrative documents may lead to direct disqualification of the bidder.

1. TECHNICAL. Items/Services shall satisfy or exceed the specifications described in RFQ/RFP Attachment
2. PAST PERFORMANCE- Seller can demonstrate his/her capability and resources to provide the items/services requested in this solicitation in a timely and responsive manner.

Other Evaluation Criteria

1.Award Notice. A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnishedto the successful supplier within the time acceptance specified in the offer, result in a binding contract without further action by either party.

2.Validity of Offer. This RFP in no way obligates RTI to make an award, nor does it commit RTI to pay any costs incurred by the Seller in the preparation and submission of a proposal or amendments to a proposal. Your proposal shall be consideredvalid for 30 days after submission.

3.Representations and Certifications. Winning suppliers under a US Federal Contract are required to complete and sign as part of your offer RTI Representations and Certifications for values over$10,000.

4.Anti- Kick Back Act of 1986. Anti-Kickback Act of 1986 as referenced in FAR 52.203-7 is hereby incorporated into this Request for Proposal as a condition of acceptance. If you have reasonable grounds to believe that a violation, as described in Paragraph (b) of FAR 52.203-7 may have occurred, you should report this suspected violation to the RTI’s Ethics Hotline at 1-877-212-7220 or by sending an e-mail to ethics@rti.org. You may report a suspected violation 

5.The John  S.  McCain National  Defense  Authorization  Act  for  fiscal  year  2019  -  section 889. RTI cannot use any equipment or services from specific companies, or their subsidiaries and affiliates, including Huawei Technologies Company, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications Corporation, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Company, and Dahua Technology Company (“Covered Technology”).  In response to this request for proposal, please do not provide a quote which includes any Covered Technology. Any quote which includes Covered Technology will be deemed non-responsive. Additionally, if the United States Government is the source of funds for this RFP, the resulting Supplier shall not provide any equipment, system, or service that uses Covered Technology as a substantial or essential component

Acceptance:

Seller agrees, as evidenced by signature below, that the seller’s completed and signed solicitation, seller’s proposal including all required submissions and the negotiated terms contained herein, constitute the entire agreement for the services described herein.