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PSS IFB26-022
Posted Date: 03/30/2026 03:54 PM
RFP/IFB Title: PSS IFB26-022
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ADDENDUM No.1
(April 10, 2026)
PSS IFB 26-022 Fiber Optic Internet and Landline Voice Services for the CNMI PSS Special Education Program
To: All Bidders
Please be informed of the following questions received and the Public School System's responses to the above-referenced IFB. This response provides clarification on the questions received from the Bidders, as listed below.
1. Regarding IFB 26-022, is fiber optic infrastructure the exclusive method permitted for delivering the
required internet service, or will the agency consider other service delivery technologies that satisfy the
specifications and service level requirements outlined in the IFB?
PSS: As specified in the IFB, the required internet service must be delivered via fiber optic infrastructure.
Alternative technologies will not be considered, as the IFB explicitly requires fiber optic connectivity.
2. Please clarify whether the required delivery method for the internet service under IFB 26- 022 must be
installed underground (buried) or aerial, or if either installation method is acceptable.
PSS: Either aerial or underground installation methods are acceptable, provided the proposed solution
meets all the performance and reliability outlined in the IFB.
3. Does PSS IFB 26-022 establish a defined Service Level Agreement (SLA), including minimum
thresholds for uptime, latency, response time, or fault resolution? If so, please advise where these
requirements are specified.
PSS: The IFB does not prescribe specific SLA thresholds. However, as stated in the Scope of Work,
bidders are required to propose a comprehensive SLA that addresses uptime, response time, issue
resolution, and service quality.
4. Will the proposed SLA, including performance guarantees and support response commitments, be
considered as part of the bid evaluation and responsibility determination, or is evaluation based solely on
responsiveness to the minimum technical specifications and pricing?
PSS: While the SLA is not a scored evaluation criterion, it is a required component of the bid submission
under the Scope of Work. Failure to provide a complete SLA may impact a bidder’s determination of
responsiveness.
5. Will PSS conduct—or require the selected vendor to conduct a site survey of the service locations as part
of the IFB 26-022?
PSS: PSS will facilitate optional site surveys for interested bidders upon request. This is intended to
support accurate proposal submission.
6. If a site survey is required, will it be conducted prior to bid submission for proposal development
purposes, or only after contract award as part of the implementation process?
PSS: Site surveys may be conducted prior to bid submission upon request to ensure accurate
proposal submission.
7. The IFB indicates that PSS reserves the option to extend the contract for an additional one-year term based
on its assessment of services and/or availability of funding. In the event PSS elects to exercise this option,
the pricing proposed in the initial bid remain fixed for the extension period, or will pricing be subject to
renegotiation?
PSS: If PSS exercises the optional one-year extension, pricing shall remain fixed as proposed in the
original bid.
8. Under the Responsibility Determination section, the IFB states that the award will be made to the lowest
responsive bidder. For clarification, does “lowest responsive bidder” refer solely to the lowest price that
meets the minimum requirements, or will technical aspects of the proposed services (such as solution design,
service quality, SLA commitments, and implementation approach) also be considered as part of the
responsiveness or responsibility evaluation?
PSS: “Lowest responsive bidder” refers to the lowest-priced bid that fully meets all material requirements of
the IFB, including technical specifications, Scope of Work, and required submission components.
§ 60-40-240 Responsible Bidders and Duties. Responsiveness includes, but is not limited to:
• Compliance with fiber optic requirements
• Ability to deliver required services to all listed locations
• Submission of all required documentation (technical solution, SLA, project plan, pricing, references,
etc.)
• Conformance with Scope of Work requirements
Bids that fail to meet these requirements may be deemed non-responsive, regardless of price.
9. Does the CNMI Public School System campuses have any existing spare RJ-11 cabling or Category 6
Ethernet runs from the MDF to SPED classrooms that require phone service?
PSS: PSS no longer utilizes RJ-11 cabling as part of its current infrastructure. Cabling pathways vary by site;
in many cases, connectivity is structured from the MDF to IDF, then to classrooms, rather than direct MDF to
classroom runs. The availability of spare Category 6 cabling to SPED classrooms is not guaranteed and
varies by location. Bidders are encouraged to request a site survey to determine suitability and availability.
10. Additionally, if such infrastructure is available, would bidders be permitted to demarcate at the school MDF
and utilize existing PSS spare cabling to interconnect phone services to the SPED classrooms?
PSS: Yes, bidders may utilize existing spare cabling that is not currently in use by PSS. However, the availability
and condition of such cabling are not guaranteed. If a bidder elects to use existing infrastructure and it is found
to be defective or inadequate, the bidder will be responsible for installing new cabling as necessary to ensure
reliable service delivery to the SPED classrooms.
We kindly ask you to review the questions and responses to ensure that all information is understood.
Sincerely,
Michael Jason A. Babauta
Chief Procurement & Supply Officer
Cc: Donna Flores, Special Education Program Director
(April 10, 2026)
PSS IFB 26-022 Fiber Optic Internet and Landline Voice Services for the CNMI PSS Special Education Program
To: All Bidders
Please be informed of the following questions received and the Public School System's responses to the above-referenced IFB. This response provides clarification on the questions received from the Bidders, as listed below.
1. Regarding IFB 26-022, is fiber optic infrastructure the exclusive method permitted for delivering the
required internet service, or will the agency consider other service delivery technologies that satisfy the
specifications and service level requirements outlined in the IFB?
PSS: As specified in the IFB, the required internet service must be delivered via fiber optic infrastructure.
Alternative technologies will not be considered, as the IFB explicitly requires fiber optic connectivity.
2. Please clarify whether the required delivery method for the internet service under IFB 26- 022 must be
installed underground (buried) or aerial, or if either installation method is acceptable.
PSS: Either aerial or underground installation methods are acceptable, provided the proposed solution
meets all the performance and reliability outlined in the IFB.
3. Does PSS IFB 26-022 establish a defined Service Level Agreement (SLA), including minimum
thresholds for uptime, latency, response time, or fault resolution? If so, please advise where these
requirements are specified.
PSS: The IFB does not prescribe specific SLA thresholds. However, as stated in the Scope of Work,
bidders are required to propose a comprehensive SLA that addresses uptime, response time, issue
resolution, and service quality.
4. Will the proposed SLA, including performance guarantees and support response commitments, be
considered as part of the bid evaluation and responsibility determination, or is evaluation based solely on
responsiveness to the minimum technical specifications and pricing?
PSS: While the SLA is not a scored evaluation criterion, it is a required component of the bid submission
under the Scope of Work. Failure to provide a complete SLA may impact a bidder’s determination of
responsiveness.
5. Will PSS conduct—or require the selected vendor to conduct a site survey of the service locations as part
of the IFB 26-022?
PSS: PSS will facilitate optional site surveys for interested bidders upon request. This is intended to
support accurate proposal submission.
6. If a site survey is required, will it be conducted prior to bid submission for proposal development
purposes, or only after contract award as part of the implementation process?
PSS: Site surveys may be conducted prior to bid submission upon request to ensure accurate
proposal submission.
7. The IFB indicates that PSS reserves the option to extend the contract for an additional one-year term based
on its assessment of services and/or availability of funding. In the event PSS elects to exercise this option,
the pricing proposed in the initial bid remain fixed for the extension period, or will pricing be subject to
renegotiation?
PSS: If PSS exercises the optional one-year extension, pricing shall remain fixed as proposed in the
original bid.
8. Under the Responsibility Determination section, the IFB states that the award will be made to the lowest
responsive bidder. For clarification, does “lowest responsive bidder” refer solely to the lowest price that
meets the minimum requirements, or will technical aspects of the proposed services (such as solution design,
service quality, SLA commitments, and implementation approach) also be considered as part of the
responsiveness or responsibility evaluation?
PSS: “Lowest responsive bidder” refers to the lowest-priced bid that fully meets all material requirements of
the IFB, including technical specifications, Scope of Work, and required submission components.
§ 60-40-240 Responsible Bidders and Duties. Responsiveness includes, but is not limited to:
• Compliance with fiber optic requirements
• Ability to deliver required services to all listed locations
• Submission of all required documentation (technical solution, SLA, project plan, pricing, references,
etc.)
• Conformance with Scope of Work requirements
Bids that fail to meet these requirements may be deemed non-responsive, regardless of price.
9. Does the CNMI Public School System campuses have any existing spare RJ-11 cabling or Category 6
Ethernet runs from the MDF to SPED classrooms that require phone service?
PSS: PSS no longer utilizes RJ-11 cabling as part of its current infrastructure. Cabling pathways vary by site;
in many cases, connectivity is structured from the MDF to IDF, then to classrooms, rather than direct MDF to
classroom runs. The availability of spare Category 6 cabling to SPED classrooms is not guaranteed and
varies by location. Bidders are encouraged to request a site survey to determine suitability and availability.
10. Additionally, if such infrastructure is available, would bidders be permitted to demarcate at the school MDF
and utilize existing PSS spare cabling to interconnect phone services to the SPED classrooms?
PSS: Yes, bidders may utilize existing spare cabling that is not currently in use by PSS. However, the availability
and condition of such cabling are not guaranteed. If a bidder elects to use existing infrastructure and it is found
to be defective or inadequate, the bidder will be responsible for installing new cabling as necessary to ensure
reliable service delivery to the SPED classrooms.
We kindly ask you to review the questions and responses to ensure that all information is understood.
Sincerely,
Michael Jason A. Babauta
Chief Procurement & Supply Officer
Cc: Donna Flores, Special Education Program Director
Important Dates:
Availability of Scope of Work/Specifications: Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Due Date for Questions Submission: Thursday, April 9, 2026 04:30 p.m.
Proposals/Bids Due: Friday, April 17, 2026 09:30 a.m.
Description:
Fiber Optic Internet Services and Landline Voice Services for the CNMI PSS SPED Program
