PROCUREMENT NUMBER 27-RFQ-017 Released: November 3, 2026 Responses Due: November 17, 2026
This Request for Quotation (RFQ) solicits proposals to provide Broadband Internet Service Provider ("ISP") services for Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) under Procurement Number 27-RFQ-017.
Key mandatory items and introductory requirements:
1. It is mandatory that Responding Contractors have a signed Network Services Agreement (NSA) and Broadband ISP Technical Addendum with Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech) in order to participate in and/or provide a response to this solicitation. Responses submitted by Contractors who do not have a signed NSA and applicable Technical Addendum will be disqualified.
2. By submitting a response to this RFQ Contractor agrees it can meet the Guaranteed Install Interval (Column G of Appendix A - Cost Model), or Shorter Install Interval (see Section B. Evaluation Model, Subsection 7. Cost Model Completion Assumptions, Subsection B. Contractor to Complete, Subsection 1 (MS) Contractor's proposed shorter Install Interval - as well as Column M of Appendix A - Cost Model) for each site it is submitting a response. Contractors that fail to meet the Guaranteed Install Interval for one or more sites it is awarded shall be subject to the remedies specified in the NSA and Addenda.
3. By submitting a response to this RFQ Contractor understands, accepts, and complies with all Special Mandatory Requirements in the RFQ (Column K of Appendix A - Cost Model).
Administrative and submission overview:
- RFQ Coordinator (Primary Contact): Susan Steele, susan.steele@watech.wa.gov, Phone: 360.407.8781. Backup RFQ Coordinator: Joanna Colvin, joanna.colvin@watech.wa.gov, Phone: 360.485.1955.
- All communications relevant to this procurement must be addressed in writing to the RFQ Coordinator. Oral communications are unofficial and non-binding. Unauthorized direct or indirect communication with WaTech employees or contractors regarding this RFQ may result in disqualification.
- Response Contents: To be considered, Contractor shall submit: (a) One signed Certificate and Assurances (Appendix B) for its response in PDF; and (b) A completed Cost Model (Appendix A) in Excel for the sites Contractor is bidding on. The proposed services must meet all Mandatory specifications in this RFQ and in the NSA and Technical Addendum.
- Electronic submission: An electronic copy shall be submitted via e-mail; the timestamp given by the WaTech contact's email inbox shall be used as the time received to measure adherence to the response deadline. WaTech is not responsible for any e-mail delay or problems the Contractor may experience while attempting to respond electronically.
- All requirements in this RFQ are mandatory. Contractor responses to mandatory requirements will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis; failure to meet any mandatory requirement will result in disqualification.
Schedule (all times Olympia Time):
- 2026-11-03 Solicitation released
- 2026-11-10 Final Contractor Comments and Questions due by 12:00 p.m.
- 2026-11-12 WaTech's Final Written Answers Issued
- 2026-11-13 Pre-proposal Conference, 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (teleconference)
- 2026-11-16 Complaints due by 12:00 p.m.
- 2026-11-17 Bid Responses due by 12:00 p.m. (Vendor Bid Response Deadline)
- 2026-11-23 Announcement of Apparently Successful Vendor(s)
- 2026-11-24 Contractor Request for Optional Debriefing due by 12:00 p.m.
- 2026-11-25 Optional Contractor Debriefing
- 2026-12-02 Earliest expected date to issue Statement of Work
Evaluation model and pricing highlights:
- Pricing must be provided as Individual Pricing (an individual end site circuit price quotation for each circuit the Contractor proposes) using the Cost Model (Appendix A). The Cost Model is the basis for evaluation.
- Cost evaluation formula for Individual Pricing: Contractor Base Price = NRC + 36 * MRC. The lowest Contractor Base Price for a site that meets all mandatory requirements receives maximum Cost points; others receive proportional points.
- Timeline (Install Interval) scoring: The shortest guaranteed Install Interval meeting mandatory requirements receives maximum Timeline points; others receive proportional points.
- Total Score per site = Cost Score + Timeline Score. WaTech may request a Best and Final Offer in the event of ties.
Other important provisions:
- Contractors must not include taxes in pricing on the Cost Model; taxes shall not be included in quoted pricing.
- Background checks: Contractors (and employees) providing services may be required to successfully complete criminal background checks and related screening prior to service commencement and must comply with ongoing changes to statutes, regulations, and WaTech policies relating to access to facilities.
- WaTech reserves rights to amend, cancel, reject responses, award more than one Statement of Work (SOW), or not execute a SOW without liability. WaTech shall not be liable for contractors' proposal preparation costs.
- Appendices: Appendix A (Cost Model) is provided as an Excel spreadsheet; Appendix B (Certification and Assurances) must be signed and returned with the Evaluation Model; Appendix C describes Protest Procedures.
Note: All content above is a condensed capture of the RFQ document's description, mandatory requirements, administrative procedures, schedule, and evaluation model as published in the solicitation. Any referenced appendices (Cost Model, Certification and Assurances, Protest Procedures) are part of the solicitation. All dates and requirements are as stated in the procurement document.
