May 11, 2007

Strategic Network Connectivity Grant Application 

ODE will be making available up to $150,000 in funds to ESDs and/or school districts for projects that improve telecommunications for K-12 schools.  High Desert ESD, as the contracting agent for EBITS on behalf of the EESC, will disseminate these grant funds to winning applicants, based on selection by the Review Committee and endorsement by the EESC.

Section A.  Background: The Legislature provided funds to improve connectivity to schools for the 05-07 biennium. ODE, in conjunction with the Education Enterprise Steering Committee, is using these funds for two purposes.  The first purpose is to address last mile connectivity issues around the state.  The remainder of the money, up to $150,000, is being used to enhance connectivity in and between schools in a school district.  The goal of this Strategic Grant Fund is to provide companion options to Phase 1 E-BITS efforts. The Phase 1 E-BITS effort is for last mile connectivity.  Applications demonstrating the highest quality for innovation and strategic networking will be funded.  And, in the grant selection process, special consideration will be given to innovative Application Proposals from ESDs (and their school districts) outside of Qwest Territory.

Section B.  Funding Objective:  To provide one-time grants that allow for strategic innovation in improving network connectivity to schools.  The grant criteria (below, Section E) are intended to be broad in order to elicit flexible and innovative proposed solutions.Strategic is defined as: purchases or contracts that are critical to improving long term broadband services to, and within schools.

Section C.  Grant Process: The Process will be a competitive grant process approved by the EESC, and open to ESDs and school districts.  As fiscal agent for EBITS, High Desert ESD will let and receive grant applications.  An independent Review Committee, exclusive of ODE, ESD, and K12 district personnel, will score and select successful applications.  EESC leadership will ratify the winning applications.  The Review Process will be jointly supported by the EESC and ODE staffThe Application Process will be open for four weeks.  Successful Applicants should expect an award not to exceed $20,000.  However, the Review Committee reserves the right to exceed that amount and EESC reserves the right to fund in excess of that amount.  HDESD may issue a second round of awards if lower installation pricing is achieved through the initial E-Bits ordering process (i.e. if 350 orders are received by Qwest within 120 days of contract execution).  If a second round of funding does become possible, only applications received during this primary process will be eligible.

Section D.  Application Process: 

• Process Opens May 11:  Application packet posted on www.K12partners.org .

• All questions regarding the Application must be posted at www.k12partners.org , under “Technology,” and “EBITS.” (Note:  Please post under general “EBITS” section, NOT under “EBITS RFP.”)  Questions will be answered at the site within 24 hours, or as soon as possible.

• Process Closes June 11 @ 12:00pm:  Applications must be received at HDESD by 12:00pm.  Proposals received after 12:00pm will not be accepted.

• Application Submission: Applications may be received in the follow ways:

1.      Electronically: an e-mail sent to ddempsey@hdesd.k12.or.us, time stamped before 12:00pm, June 11, 2007.

2.      Mail or Courier: Applications may be sent by mail or courier.  Applications must be received at HDESD by 12:00pm, June 11, 2007.

3.      In Person Delivered:  Applications may be delivered in person. Applications must be received at HDESD by 12:00pm, June 11, 2007.

• Selection Committee Recommendations completed June 18, 2007 and ratified by EESC leadership.  Strategic Grants announced June 22, 2007. 
• Section E.  Grant Selection CriteriaThe Partnership will endorse, and HDESD will fund within the dollar limits, one-time, Network transport projects that focus on the OSI Physical Link & Data Link Layer Infrastructure.  The funding scope is as follows:  

1.       Infrastructure Projects: This funding avenue recognizes that in some areas of the state, ESDs and districts have been very successful in creating infrastructure with partners and providers that interconnect schools for data services.  This one-time funding is intended to support innovative solutions to connectivity and transport issues that build upon infrastructure already established.

2.       Options for funding:Physical connections and transmission hardware required to transport data. These include, but are not limited to the following examples:

• Fiber, Coax, Copper  acquisition projects: leasing of fiber/or other physical infrastructure, or one time expenditures to connect schools to a broadband infrastructure;         
• Wireless Infrastructure projects: Microwave, or 802.11x, 802.16, and 3^rd generation wireless technology that interconnect schools, enable mobile computing, or provide campus wide connectivity.These funds cannot be used to purchase Network equipment that is not essential to implementing OSI Layer 1 and 2 services. As an example, primary WAN routing equipment would not be an acceptable use of funds.

3.      E-BITS Strategic Contract Services:  For service or school districts outside of Qwest territory or connecting regions, an E-BITS service purchase could be subsidized through this grant application. Special consideration:  Applications demonstrating the highest quality for innovation and strategic networking will be funded.  And, in the grant selection process, special consideration will be given to innovative Application Proposals from ESDs (and their school districts) outside of Qwest Territory.

Section F.  Application Requirements:Applications may use a format chosen by the applicant but must be limited to 5 pages (not including the Budget Page) and must include ALL of the following information.  Applications exceeding the page limit and/or not including all of the information itemized below will not be reviewed for funding.

1.       Project description – describe the telecommunication challenge you seek to overcome, and how your proposal provides a viable, long-term solution.

2.       Description of how the proposal satisfies the Criteria outlined in Section E.

3.       Description of site(s) covered and projected numbers of students and educators served.

4.       Key ESD and/or school staff involved in Proposal.

5.       Description and role of any contractors involved in Proposal.

6.       If applicable, a description of how the grant funds leverage other resources and their value.

7.       If equipment is part of the funding request in the Application, a description, manufacturer and make of equipment is required. [Reminder: These grant funds cannot be used to purchase Network equipment that is not essential to implementing OSI Layer 1 and 2 services. As an example, primary WAN routing equipment would not be an acceptable use of funds.] 8.       Proposal Budget Page. Budget page must articulate Proposal costs, funding sources, and sustainability model. [Reminder:  Budget Page is considered supplemental to the five-page maximum for the Application itself.]