The City of Worcester is seeking proposals for eRate program consulting services to manage federal Universal Service Fund discounts and reimbursements for K12 schools. Services include strategic planning, competitive bidding support, application submission, invoicing, audit defense, and assistance with emerging FCC programs. The contract is for one year with two optional one-year renewals. Proposals must include a fixed annual retainer fee and demonstrate compliance with FCC rules, including the prohibition of services from covered companies. A ten-year post-contract audit defense obligation is required. Proposals are due August 19, 2026.
Proposals must be delivered no later than Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time. Late submissions will be rejected.
The text does not specify payment terms, only that the contract will be governed under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that expenditures are made on a fiscal year basis, subject to appropriation.
The vendor shall provide a warranty and commitment that all equipment and services perform as expected and promised.
Proposals will be evaluated based on mandatory and comparative criteria. The city shall select the proposer which, in the city's opinion, has made the proposal best suited to the needs and goals of the city, considering evaluation rankings and cost proposals. Cost of eligible services is the highest valued criterion.
Offerors must possess an active consultant registration number (CRN) issued by USAC, not act as an agent, reseller, distributor, or service provider for any technology equipment, telecommunications, or internet service provider seeking to do business with the district (conflict of interest), and commit in writing to the ten-year post-contract audit defense obligation and record retention/transfer requirements.
In case of default, the surety shall be forfeited to the city as liquidated damages. If a proposer fails to contract after acceptance, the proposal security shall become the property of the city as liquidated damages. The city may terminate the contract for cause if the contractor attempts to assign, transfer, sublet, convey, or otherwise dispose of the contract without prior written consent.
The document does not mention a site visit.
The document does not mention sample submission.
Any prospective proposer requesting a change in or interpretation of existing specifications or terms and conditions must do so within 5 days (Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays excluded) before the scheduled proposal opening date.
Proposals may be disqualified for not meeting mandatory criteria, including lacking a USAC CRN, having a conflict of interest, refusing the ten-year post-contract audit defense, failing to identify all fees, including unstated or additional fees, spam or robotic responses, or offering services beyond the scope.
