Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) requires a single, qualified vendor to provide federal E-Rate application support and technical assistance (Project) for qualified public libraries across the State of Texas that are seeking to increase their existing Internet service speeds up to the current standards set in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ERate Modernization Order. The Contractor will provide application support and assistance to participating libraries for federal funding programs (E-Rate Category One, Category Two, etc.), with a maximum of three hundred (300) qualified libraries across the State of Texas receiving support for Category One within a two-year period. Contractor will NOT be required to travel to provide the services required under this solicitation. Contractor may provide all services, conduct training, and deliver presentations via electronic media. However, the Contractor may travel to deliver services, conduct training, and/or deliver presentations if the Contractor determines in-person interaction would be more beneficial, provided TSLAC incurs no additional costs under the potential contract. Services shall be provided to TSLAC in the Library Development and Networking (LDN) Division at TSLAC Headquarters, 1201 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701. • A minimum of 100 Mbps for libraries serving populations of fewer than 50,000 • A minimum of 1 Gbps for libraries serving over 50,000 persons TSLAC conducted a Public Library Speed Test in 2019 and determined that only 30% of Texas libraries were meeting those standards. This project builds the capacity of Texas public libraries to provide access to technology and online information for their communities through robust internet connections that meet FCC standards. The project directly addresses two goals of the Commission’s 2021-2025 Agency Strategic Plan: • Goal 2: To ensure that all types of libraries have the tools, training, and resources needed to meet the informational, educational, and economic needs of the people they serve. o This includes Action Item 4: Assist libraries in acquiring and managing technology tools, including access to broadband Internet service, to ensure public access to the most efficient possible operation of community libraries by August 2025.
