On August 15, the state released Addendum No. 12, which made significant changes to the request for proposal (RFP). Feedback from a wide variety of sources, including vendors and customers, was used to shape the revised RFP.
At the vendor forum, the state will provide a brief overview of the RFP and procurement process. The state may also take oral questions at the conference and provide non-binding oral answers. All potential bidders are encouraged to attend.
Bidders who have been involved in the CALNET II procurement must submit new letters of intent to bid. The state encourages vendors who have not been involved in the CALNET II procurement to consider the renewed opportunity to bid the requested services. More information, including key action dates and deadlines, is available on the CALNET II home page.
The conference will run from 10 a.m. to noon. It will be held at the auditorium on the first floor of the Department of General Services' headquarters at 707 Third Street in West Sacramento. The public is welcome to attend. Garage parking is available for $2 per hour or $12 per day.
CALNET is a contract for voice and data communications services that provides the state and more than 2,000 local government agencies with services at discounted rates. Currently, the state receives communications services from joint contractors SBC (formerly Pacific Bell) and MCI.
The original CALNET contract, worth roughly $300 million per year, was awarded in December 1998. The new CALNET II contract is expected to be awarded in September 2006. It will be a five-year contract with two optional one-year extensions and will be administered by the Department of Technology Services.
