Each Child. Every Community.

The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) will conduct a competitive selection process to select a vendor to provide Data Center Colocation Services.

NCPC limits contractual relationships to only those with governmental agencies or businesses such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, or sole proprietorships conducting the business as described herein.

Respondents are cautioned that this is a Request for Proposals (RFP), not a request to contract. NCPC and/or its agent reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities, and to be the sole judge of suitability of the services for its intended use and specifically reserves the right to make awards based on what is determined by NCPC to be in the best interest of the State of North Carolina.

The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) will conduct a competitive selection process to select a vendor to provide Data Center Colocation Services.

NCPC limits contractual relationships to only those with governmental agencies or businesses such as corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, or sole proprietorships conducting the business as described herein.

Respondents are cautioned that this is a Request for Proposals (RFP), not a request to contract. NCPC and/or its agent reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive technicalities, and to be the sole judge of suitability of the services for its intended use and specifically reserves the right to make awards based on what is determined by NCPC to be in the best interest of the State of North Carolina.

RFP Release Date: May 12, 2025

Location of RFP: http://www.smartstart.org/jobs/

Questions: Questions must be received by 5:00 PM (ET) May 23, 2025.

Submit Questions to:
Jonathan Moore
Submissions@smartstart.org

Answers to any submitted questions will be posted on May 30, 2025, at the same location as the RFP.

Deadline for Proposals:
Proposals must be received by 5:00 pm, June 6, 2025 for furnishing services specified herein.

Submission: Email to: submissions@smartstart.org
Subject: Colocation – “Contractor Name”

Award Notification: Applicants will be contacted via email by June 13, 2025 with the award decision.

I. BACKGROUND
In 1993, The North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) was created to lead Smart Start. NCPC supports a network of 75 Local Partnerships (LPs), nonprofit organizations across the state, that collectively make up the Smart Start Network. Tailored to meet the specific needs of each community, Smart Start invests in early learning, physical and relational health, and family support so children are ready to succeed.

II. PROJECT DETAILS
NCPC is conducting an open and competitive process to select a vendor to provide Server Colocation Services for 1 Full Colocation cabinet (40 usable rack units).

III. CONTRACT PROVISIONS

Contract Period

Funding for this project is available beginning August 1, 2025. NCPC is limited in contract length and required to periodically solicit cost proposals. Proposals should be for at least 12 months to a maximum of 36 months.

IV. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

A. Services and Costs

Proposals should include information on the following services:
1. Bandwidth – 500Mbps burstable up to customizable limit include DDoS delivered on 10G port with blended providers of service
2. Power – Distributed redundant Uninterruptible Power System. 208V/30A Single Phase Primary/Redundant Power (4.99 usable kW). Two (2) rack mount PDUs
3. Connectivity – /29 IP Block – 5 usable IPv4 addresses
4. Compliance Certifications – NIST 800-53, SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA Compliant
5. Service Level Agreements:
a. 100% SLA for Power
b. 100% SLW for Network Availability
c. 100% SLA on IP Bandwidth including Automated DDos Scrubbing
6. Remote Hands – (1) Hour of Remote Hands per month

Proposals should include a cost breakdown for any initial and ongoing costs for services. Proposals may include multiple options as available by the vendor.

B. Legal information (Optional submissions)

Proposals may include copies of Respondent Master Service Agreements and Work Orders, if applicable. NCPC may require our standard contract to be completed. Prior to contracting with a vendor, a W-9 and Certificate of Insurance will be required.

Proposals received after the Submission Deadline will be considered late and will be disqualified from competitive review and be ineligible for contracting under this announcement.

V. EVALUATION AND SELECTION
Proposals will be evaluated based on their ability to meet the needs of NCPC and overall costs.

VI. RFP TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. TERMS AND CONDITIONS: All proposals are subject to the terms and conditions outlined herein. All responses shall be controlled by such terms and conditions and the submission of other terms and conditions, price lists, catalogs, and/or other documents as part of an offeror’s response will be waived and have no effect either on this Request for Proposals or on any
contract that may be awarded resulting from this solicitation.

Respondent specifically agrees to the conditions set forth in the above paragraph by submitting a proposal to the RFP.

2. CERTIFICATION: By executing the proposal, the submitter certifies that this proposal is submitted competitively and without collusion (G.S. 143-54), that none of our officers, directors, or owners of an unincorporated business entity has been convicted of any violations of Chapter 78A of the General Statutes, the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (G.S. 143-59.2), and that we are not an ineligible vendor as set forth in G.S. 143-59.1. 3. ORAL EXPLANATIONS: NCPC shall not be bound by oral explanations or instructions given at any time during the competitive process or afterwards.

4. REFERENCE TO OTHER DATA: Only information that is received in response to this RFP will be evaluated; reference to information previously submitted shall not be evaluated.

5. COST FOR PROPOSAL PREPARATION: Any costs incurred by respondents in preparing or submitting offers are the respondents’ sole responsibility; NCPC will not reimburse a respondent for any costs incurred prior to award.

6. TIME FOR ACCEPTANCE: Each proposal shall state that it is a firm offer that may be accepted within a period of 45 days. Although the contract is expected to be awarded prior to that time, the 45-day period is requested to allow for unforeseen delays.

7. TITLES: Titles and headings in this RFP and any subsequent contract are for convenience only and shall have no binding force or effect.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY OF PROPOSALS: In submitting its proposal, the respondent agrees not to discuss or otherwise reveal the contents of the proposal to any source outside of NCPC, its agent, and the Office of State Auditor, until after the award of the contract. Respondents not in
compliance with this provision may be disqualified, at the option of NCPC, from contract award. Only discussions authorized by NCPC are exempt from this provision.

9. RIGHT TO SUBMITTED MATERIAL: All responses, inquiries, or correspondence relating to or in reference to the RFP, and all other reports, charts, displays, schedules, exhibits, and other documentation submitted by the respondents shall become the property of NCPC when received by NCPC or its agent.

RF25006 – IT Colocation Service RFP