IT Infrastructure Products, Software & Services *** The bid closing date and time has been extended from 3:00 PM on April 17, 2026 to 3:00 PM on April 24, 2026. *** Addendum 1 (PDF, )

MONTGOMERY COLLEGE OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES
IT INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE & SERVICES
RFP NUMBER: E526-007
RFP CLOSING DATE AND TIME: APRIL 24, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
ADDENDUM #1
Issued: April 13, 2026
ADDENDUM FOR THE PURPOSE OF:
To replace Section 4.2 Data Protection - first paragraph with the following paragraph:
"All college vendors or potential vendors who provide technology resources or services in the form of
software, hardware, electronic content, or support documentation and services as well as those vendors who
host and/or process College data in support of service offerings must provide evidence of its security program
and posture applies to any proposed solution at the time of evaluation and procurement of a product. This
includes the satisfactory completion (as determined by Montgomery College IT Security personnel) an
associated questionnaire(s) on security and privacy controls, and/or provide supporting documentation, e.g.
SOC 2 report. *Note: The College reserves the right to disqualify any bidding firm that fails to provide a
satisfactory questionnaire and/or current SOC 2 report, upon request."
To replace Section 2.4 Information Technology Infrastructure Categories -with the following Paragraph:
Offerors may respond to one or more of the six categories listed below. It is anticipated that multiple awards will be made
in each Category and responding firms may be awarded in one or more categories:
Category 1 - Network Hardware and Software
Category 2 - IT Security
Category 3 - Data Center Infrastructure
Category 4 - Telecommunications
Category 5 - Systems and Storage
Category 6 - Labor
To extend RFP closing date, from April 17, 2026 at 3:00 pm, to April 24, 2026 at 3:00 pm.
To provide the questions and answers on pages 3 - 6 of addendum.
All other specifications, terms and conditions remain unchanged.
Patrick Johnson, MBA
Director of Procurement
Please sign below to acknowledge receipt of this Addendum, and return with the proposal. Failure to return
this Acknowledgement of Addendum may deem a proposal nonresponsive.
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MONTGOMERY COLLEGE OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES
IT INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE & SERVICES
RFP NUMBER: E526-007
RFP CLOSING DATE AND TIME: APRIL 24, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
ADDENDUM #1 - continued
Issued: April 13, 2026
NOTE: All proposals MUST BE RECEIVED electronically by 3:00pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on April 24, 2026
Electronic proposal and addendum or addenda shall be sent to the following email address prior to the submittal
deadline date and time at vendor.proposals@montgomerycollege.edu. No responses will be accepted after this
date and time.
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Company Name Authorized Signature
___________________________________ ____________________________________
Date Printed/Typed Signature
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MONTGOMERY COLLEGE OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES
IT INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE & SERVICES
RFP NUMBER: E526-007
RFP CLOSING DATE AND TIME: APRIL 24, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
Vendor Questions MC Response
1. Are we required to complete Attachment G? I don't understand The Mid-Atlantic Purchasing Team (MAPT)
this purchasing team rider clause or if/how it applies. Are you able Cooperative Rider Clause is a provision that allows
to clarify? other public agencies to "ride," or piggyback, on a
contract awarded by the lead agency (MC). This
clause notifies vendors that designated public
entities may utilize the contract under the same
terms and conditions. It is provided for
informational purposes only and does not require
any action from the vendor unless an Offeror elects
not to permit participation under the contract.
2. In Section 6, the sections for proposal response are stated. As stated in the RFP, Section 6 outlines the
However, requirements for the proposal response are also required structure and format for proposal
provided in Sections 3 and 4. Does Montgomery College expect submissions and should be used as the primary
offerors to respond to every subsection of Sections 3 and 4 in their guide. Sections 3 and 4 outline qualification &
technical response? Please clarify the proposal organization experience requirements. Offerors are expected
requirements. to ensure that their technical response adequately
addresses all applicable requirements outlined in
Sections 3 and 4, as relevant to the services being
proposed. We encourage all offerors to carefully
review the RFP in its entirety to ensure full
compliance with submission requirements.
3. In Section 2.3 Scope of Work & Services there is a requirement Bidding firm's proposal must address sections
to respond to 2.3.1 Infrastructure Products, 2.3.2 Software and 2.3.1, 2.3.2, and 2.3.3 of RFP. In addition, 2.4
Licensing, and 3.2.2 Professional and Managed Services. Are (Information Technology Infrastructure Categories)
these meant to be responded to as subsections within each of the simply reflects hardware, software and associated
6 categories (Section 2.4) an offeror is responding to or are these labor that may be purchased under the resultant
meant as standalone areas separate from the 6 categories to be contract. Bidding firm's proposal should also
responded to? Please clarify. include all categories outlined in section 2.4, that it
can offer under the contract.
4. The RFP mentions three positions in Section 3.2, Account The RFP states that resumes must be
Manager, Sales Engineer and Solutions Architect. The RFP states provided for the Sales Engineer and Solutions
that resumes must be provided for the Sales Engineer and Architect or similar position only as part of the
Solutions Architect as part of the proposal. Does a resume for the proposal. Account Manager is not required.
Account Manager also need to be included as part of the
proposal? Please clarify which positions require resumes as part of
the proposal.
5. Will the College consider extending the due date by 2 The closing date has been extended to April
weeks? 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
6. If an Offeror seeks award in multiple categories, does that An Offeror seeking award in multiple categories is
automatically make the Offeror eligible for consideration as a not automatically considered for designation as a
Solutions Contractor, or must the Offeror explicitly state that Solutions Contractor. Offerors must explicitly state
intent and provide a distinct integrated-solution narrative in its their intent to be considered as a Solutions
Technical Proposal? Contractor and provide a clear, integrated-solution
narrative within their Technical Proposal.
7. Please confirm whether an Offeror that is awarded a category, Yes.
but not initially awarded a specific brand within that category,
may later request that brand be added through contract
modification, subject to college approval.
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MONTGOMERY COLLEGE OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES
IT INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE & SERVICES
RFP NUMBER: E526-007
RFP CLOSING DATE AND TIME: APRIL 24, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
8. Section 2.4 shows Category 2 as Telecommunications and See cover page of Addendum. The paragraph
Category 4 as IT Security, but Section 2.4.1 appears to list them has been replaced with the revised paragraph.
differently. Can you please confirm the correct category numbers
and which manufacturers belong to each category?
9. Section 3.6, Will the College accept a link to a list of an offeror's Yes.
certifications, rather than as separate attachments?
10. Should pricing remain firm for 120 days after the proposal The basis of pricing for any award resulting from this
submission deadline or after contract award? These provisions RFP will be based on a percentage discount from
are contradictory and materially impact pricing risk. Standard Educational List Price (SELP). An actual
price proposal is not required as part of this
solicitation.
11. What criteria and scoring thresholds determine Solutions See all of Section 5 of the RFP document.
Contractor designation? Are Solutions Contractor awards Evaluation criteria is provided in detail.
separate contracts, or a designation applied to already-awarded
IDIQ vendors?
12. Please confirm the correct category numbering. There is a See cover page of Addendum. The paragraph
direct conflict between Sections 2.4 and 2.4.1 in the labeling of has been replaced with the revised paragraph.
Categories 2 and 4.
13. Is full coverage of all listed brands/products required within Full coverage of the listed, hardware, software and
each category, or may Offerors propose partial capabilities services brands/products is highly desired, but are
within a category? not be limited to the list and/or providers. Vendors
are encouraged to offer other industry leading
hardware & software solutions.
14. Does the background check requirement apply to all offerors The College requires specific background and
across all six categories, or is it specific to Category 6 (Labor) and reference checks for each placement. Any potential
categories where contractor staff will have on-site College contractors who would be working on-site are
access? required to undergo the necessary background and
reference checks.
15. Is there a required form or format for acknowledging The Offeror should acknowledge and sign the
addenda, or is a written statement within the transmittal letter cover page of the Addendum and return with
sufficient? the proposal submission.
16. Please confirm that there are no font size requirements, no There are no font size or font type requirements, and
font type requirements, and no page limits. no page limits.
17. Section 2.4 states that Offerors for all categories shall submit The RFP states that resumes must be
a resume for their proposed Solutions Architect, while Section provided for the Sales Engineer and Solutions
3.2.2 states that this is required only for Offerors seeking to be Architect or similar position only as part of the
considered as Solutions Contractors. Please clarify which proposal. Account Manager is not required.
instruction applies.
18. Section 2.4 lists Category 2 as Telecommunications and See cover page of Addendum. The paragraph
Category 4 as IT Security, while Section 2.4.1 appears to reverse has been replaced with the revised paragraph.
those labels. Please confirm the correct category numbering and
corresponding manufacturer/category alignment.
19. The title page states that prices must remain firm for 120 days The basis of pricing for any award resulting from
after proposal closing, while Section 1.5 states 120 days after this RFP will be based on a percentage discount
award date. Please confirm the correct proposal validity period. from Standard Educational List Price (SELP). An
actual price proposal is not required as part of this
solicitation.
20. If an Offeror bids Category 6 - Labor and proposes The RFP states that resumes must be
subcontractor personnel, is the College seeking resumes only for
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MONTGOMERY COLLEGE OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES
IT INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE & SERVICES
RFP NUMBER: E526-007
RFP CLOSING DATE AND TIME: APRIL 24, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
key proposed lead personnel, or for all labor categories that may provided for the Sales Engineer and Solutions
be provided under future task orders? Architect or similar position only as part of the
proposal. Account Manager is not required.
21. For proposed personnel resumes, should resumes be See answer provided on question 20.
included within the main Technical Proposal narrative, or may
they be provided as an appendix/attachment to the Technical
Proposal?
22. Sec 3.15: Background and Reference Checks Requirements; Are The College requires specific background and
only on-site engineers required to undergo background checks or reference checks for each placement. Any potential
would all personnel involved in the sales and engineering process contractors who would be working on-site are
for Montgomery College sales also be required to undergo required to undergo the necessary background and
background checks? Would off-site engineers providing remote reference checks.
services (engineers who would access MC internal infrastructure
thru secure systems) also require background checks? Please also
indicate of non-technical personnel such as account managers,
order processors or inside salespeople must pass background
checks. Please provide any clarification you can.
23. Sec 4.2: Data Protection; Will vendors who do not intend to Section 4.2 (Data Protection) applies to any proposed
host ANY Montgomery College data or applications on vendor solution at the time of evaluation and procurement
premises be required to fill out the security questionnaire and/or of a product, rather than at the time of contract
SOC 2 report? Is this requirement intended to be for the specific award. Data protection and accessibility
solution that is being proposed (which usually is based on the requirements are only applicable if the product or
security status of the OEM or Software Publisher) of is it based on solution being procured falls within the scope of
the security status of the vendor/reseller of the IT product? those requirements.
Essentially, will a vendor/reseller be disqualified from E526-007 in
its entirety if they are not SOC 2 compliant?
24. Would also like to request an extension of the due date The closing date has been extended to April
of 1 week to April 24th. 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.
25. Clarification related to Category 6: Labor. Yes, there are existing incumbent contractors
Specifically, could you please advise whether there is an existing performing work under Category 6. Providing
incumbent contractor or contractors performing work under professional and managed Services.
Category 6? If so, to the extent permitted, any high-level
information regarding the incumbent(s) would be helpful for
proposal planning purposes.
26. Should OEM or Software Publishers respond to this RFP? Typically, the responders to the RFP are
authorized resellers, rather than OEM or
Software Publisher vendors.
27. Can the College confirm whether there are any Minority No, however minority vendors are encouraged to
Business Enterprise (MBE) or Women Business Enterprise (WBE) respond to this solicitation in accordance with the
participation goals associated with this solicitation? If so, please terms and conditions, and requirements.
provide the required percentage and any documentation or
reporting requirements.
28. Can the College provide a detailed evaluation criteria See all of Section 5 of the RFP document.
breakdown, including scoring weights for hardware, software, Evaluation criteria is provided in detail.
services, pricing, and qualifications?
29. Please clarify how the College will evaluate vendors The College will be evaluating vendors at the
proposing across multiple categories versus those proposing in category level. Vendors proposing only one
a single category, and how "Solutions Contractor" designation single category will not be negatively affected.
impacts award decisions and task order opportunities.
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MONTGOMERY COLLEGE OFFICE OF BUSINESS SERVICES
IT INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTS, SOFTWARE & SERVICES
RFP NUMBER: E526-007
RFP CLOSING DATE AND TIME: APRIL 24, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
30. Can the College provide estimated annual spend by The contract due to expire on June 30, 2026 was
category or historical purchasing volumes to assist vendors in awarded by the Board of Trustees for a total five-
preparing competitive pricing and resource planning? year estimated contract amount of $25,000,000.
31. Can the College provide guidance on expected or target No, not at this time.
discount ranges for each category, or historical discount
benchmarks from prior contracts?
32. Will the College allow vendors to propose select The Offeror shall be an authorized reseller,
manufacturers within a category, or is authorization required for distributor, or partner of the manufacturers for the
all listed manufacturers within a category? products and solutions proposed under this RFP.
Offeror is encouraged to include additional
brand(s) or manufacturer(s) not listed in the Pricing
Discount Proposal.
33. Can the College clarify the approval process and The prime contractor shall be responsible in all
evaluation criteria for subcontractors, and whether matters required by this RFP for any and all sub-
subcontractors identified at proposal submission will be contractors. Sub-Contractors must be identified
pre-approved upon contract award? with stated roles and responsibilities. Payments
for goods and services will be made only to prime
contractors. The College reserves the right to
approve or disapprove any subcontractor who will
be performing work related to the contract.
34. Can the College provide defined Service Level Agreement No, not at this time.
(SLA) requirements for support services, including response
times, resolution times, and performance metrics?
35. Will manufacturer-standard warranties be acceptable where Yes, also see section 3.11.
they differ from the stated requirements, and can exceptions be
proposed for specific OEMs?
36. Will the College consider certified refurbished or Yes, also see section 3.8.
remanufactured equipment as part of cost-optimization strategies
when aligned with manufacturer warranties?
37. Will the College consider holding a pre-proposal conference No, questions are addressed with this
or issuing additional clarifications to address vendor questions addendum.
and ensure aligned responses?
38. For vendors awarded under hardware-only categories, will they No.
be eligible to participate in Task Order Requests that include both
hardware and associated services, either independently or through
approved subcontractors?
***************************** End of Questions & Answers ********************************
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