Worcester Public Schools Seeks Bids for Next Generation Firewall Purchase and Licensing

The Worcester Public Schools is requesting bids for the purchase, licensing, and warranty for three years for two new next gen firewalls. The Worcester Public Schools is an urban public school district located in Worcester, MA. The district has approximately 25,000 students and 5,000 staff with over 50 buildings.

Our buildings are all connected with 10Gbps fiber optic cable and our current firewall connection is 20Gbps. Currently the district uses Palo Alto next gen firewalls to protect the district’s external connection. With this project, the district plans to add two additional next gen firewalls in order to protect the district’s servers from internal threats.

The Worcester Public Schools will receive sealed written bids until Friday September 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM EST. The bid(s) shall be clearly marked on the outside of the envelope, SEALED BID FOR WORCESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NextGen Firewall RFP 2025, and addressed as follows: Bob Walton, IT Director Worcester Public Schools 20 Irving St.

Worcester, MA 01609 All vendors must accept SPI Invoicing, the district will not accept bids that require BEAR invoicing. All pricing must include freight costs delivered to: 299 Highland St, Worcester, MA 01602. This location has a loading dock and elevator. Shipping must include inside delivery. This will be for a 3 year contract billed annually.

Vendors must finance the cost of the firewalls, licenses, and warranty and charge the district in three equal annual payments. Bids must provide the following: 1. Erate SPIN Number. 2. Acknowledgment that the vendor will accept SPI invoicing. 3.

Costs for the following: Quantity 2, Palo Alto PAN-PA-3440 next gen firewall or equivalent Quantity 2, Palo Alto PAN-PA-3440-ATP-3YR-HA2 three advanced threat protection bundle or equivalent Quantity 2, Palo Alto PAN-SVC-PREM-3440-3YR three premium service bundle or equivalent 4.

Any ineligible costs must be identified and listed on the quote The district staff will handle all installation and configuration, no costs associated with these services need to be included. Any questions must be emailed to waltonb@worcesterschools.net by Friday 9/19/2025. Bids are due and will be opened on Friday September 26, 2025 at 2:30 PM EST.

Agency: Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Status: Certified