nexus systems, inc

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Request for Proposals for Natchitoches Parish School Board

FY 2015-2016

Nexus Systems, Inc. 363 Venable Lane, Monroe LA 71203

Phone: 318.340.0750 FAX: 318.340.0580 http://www.nexussystems.net

Tax ID # 75-96423

Contact Person: Mark Stevenson

President Nexus Systems Inc.

363 Venable Lane, Monroe, LA 71203 Phone: 318.340.0750 FAX: 318.340.0580

[email protected]

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Nexus Systems, Inc.

363 Venable Lane Monroe LA 71203 Phone: 318.340.0750 FAX: 318.323.1478

http://www.nexussystems.net

January 12, 2015 Mr. Steven Solomon Business Manager Natchitoches Parish School District 310 Royal Street Natchitoches LA 71457 Dear Mr. Solomon: In response to your Form 470 posted for Funding Year 2015 for Category II Internal Connections, Nexus Systems, Inc. is pleased to offer options for connectivity for the district. We appreciate the opportunity to provide service and pledge our dedication to service for the district. The project manager for our implementation will be Heath Snell. He can be reached at the address and telephone number noted in the letterhead above. I am the party who is authorized to represent the company in dealing with the proposal. We are submitting alternatives for a range of service options to meet your needs. With any option selected, Nexus will act as the Total Care Solution. We provide prime contractor service on all services to allow the district to focus on educational objectives with a secure and reliable network to support those goals. Nexus Systems is currently providing high-speed WAN and Internet services to over 190 locations in 25 school districts, as well as private schools, libraries, public agencies, residential and commercial customers. We provide routing support for distance learning video conferencing units and have partnered with regional Universities to sponsor over 100 teacher certification courses. Nexus is also one of the largest Xirrus educational vendors today. The staff at Nexus numbers over 50 permanent professionals operating out of Monroe, Minden, Shreveport, Natchitoches, Ruston, Bastrop, and Jerome. The majority of our staff members are CS/CIS/EE/MBA or Educational Technology professionals. Most important, however, owners of the company and key personnel are all former educators and education is our primary purpose. Nexus Systems is a registered dealer for HP, Brocade, Xirrus, Brocade, Proxim Wireless, DragonWave, Lifesize, Motorola, Cisco Systems, and NetGear. In summary, Nexus Systems stands ready to provide complete professional services and comprehensive product line support for the educational customer.

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Please note that many of the options requested involve a much higher level of service than the traditional contractor offers, but these services are necessary for effective network utilization. In addition to Internet Services, Nexus Systems will provide equipment, installation, and maintenance services as needed. Thank you for reviewing this proposal. This proposal is a valid, cost effective solution for the district. Please feel free to contact me at any time, if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you in the future. Sincerely,

Mark Stevenson President (318) 340-0750 (Voice) (318) 340-0580 (FAX) [email protected] (E-MAIL) Attachments:

(1) Proposals & Options

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PROPOSAL – CATEGORY II INTERNAL CONNECTIONS

RFP Response Section 1: Nexus acknowledges and is providing a proposal to meet the Purpose of meeting one connection each three students. RFP Response Section 2: Nexus acknowledges and is providing a proposal to meet the Scope of the Project. RFP Response Section 3: Nexus acknowledges and is providing a proposal to meet Specifications. Please see specification sheets for the Xirrus and Juniper equipment The equipment will meet or exceed the specifications requested. RFP Response Section 4: Nexus acknowledges and will provide Xirrus with embedded controllers as well as the Xirrus XMS Enterprise server based management system. Please see attached specifications in the Appendix. RFP Response Section 5: Nexus acknowledges and will provide the Xirrus XMS Enterprise management system as a single point of configuration capable of access by multiple users concurrently. RFP Response Section 6-7: Nexus acknowledges and is providing a Project and Work Plan as requested. See Section 29. RFP Response Section 8-9: Nexus acknowledges the requirements for wiring and installation and will comply. Installation will be by factory trained and certified personnel. All cabling will meet required specifications and provide an end to end connectivity solution. RFP Response Section 10: Nexus acknowledges and will provide configuration as requested with approval and inspection by district personnel.

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RFP Response Section 11-12: Nexus acknowledges and will provide single mode fiber for all required interconnects. Fiber interconnects shall be at 10G. RFP Response Section 13-14: Nexus acknowledges and will provide Xirrus and Juniper switches to meet requirement specifications. Please see attached product documentation. RFP Response Section 15-22: Nexus acknowledges and will comply with required format. Please see pricing worksheets and “heat maps” in Appendix. RFP Response Section 23: Nexus acknowledges meeting requirements for Vendor qualification. Nexus is an authorized reseller for products provided. Nexus maintains over $10M of liability insurance and required Workman’s Comp insurance. Nexus is an authorized ERATE vendor (SPIN 143027251) and eligible to do business in the State of Louisiana as a corporate entity. Nexus also is a registered State Telecommunications Contractor and a State PSC authorized Competitive Local Exchange Provider (CLEC) for communications services. Nexus accepts complete responsibility for all facets of installation, acceptance testing, and certification. RFP Response Section 24-25: Nexus acknowledges the district right to reject and right to disqualify. RFP Response 26: 26.6 – It is understood the scope of work is an end to end total solution to provide wireless access coverage from the classrooms and selected commons areas back to the MDF in each school. Included will be equipment, wiring, installation, configuration, documentation, and training of key school personnel as well as long term maintenance and support. Nexus is prepared to meet all requirements. 26.7 – 26.9 – Executive Summary Nexus Systems is a licensed telecommunications contractor in Louisiana and the premier vendor of Xirrus wireless equipment in the State. The company began as a wireless long haul Internet vendor operating over 150 transmission towers in 19 parishes in both licensed and public band wireless service with 50 local and 10 remote employees serving our customer base. Nexus is uniquely qualified to provide wireless services to the district. Nexus has hundreds of Xirrus wireless access points in North

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Louisiana. The proposed plan will provide high capacity overlapping wireless coverage in all sites utilizing the Xirrus wireless series of access points. Xirrus is unique in the industry with a design allowing each AP to be custom configured with different plug-in radio links allowing much more coverage and transmission capacity. Xirrus also provides switches with high amperage POE ports to support the classroom access points where applicable and Nexus will be proposing Juniper switches with Gig-E ports for Xirrus access points and (4) 10G ports for stacking and/or backbone connectivity. The overall impact will be network capacity capable of supporting access points to an IDF with full Gig-E capacity and IDF to MDF connectivity at 10G or multiple 10G ports with Link Aggregation (LAG) configuration. The network will provide for overlapping coverage whereby the failure of one link will not destroy connectivity for an area; in most areas, adjacent nodes will overlap to provide coverage while the defective access point is replaced. The only limitations for the system will be the WAN connectivity between schools and Internet connectivity for the district. It is understood the district will be seeking expanded services in WAN and Internet which will be implemented at about the same time as this network expansion providing an overall network impact increase of over 10X of current capacity. The proposed plan will employ the Xirrus server-based network management platform in order to minimize costs and to provide in-house secure support base for the overall network management. Nexus will also provide expanded maintenance options for Xirrus access points, Juniper switches, and the Xirrus management system. 27.1 – 27.5 Company Qualifications and Experience Nexus has been designing and implementing school network systems for 16 years (since 1998) as a company. The principals, however, have been providing complex technology services for schools for over 30 years during former careers in Ouachita and Union Parishes as well as Monroe City Schools. References for WAN, Internet, and Xirrus Wireless services are provided in this proposal. In the Xirrus domain, Nexus has installed Xirrus wireless in over 100 schools as well as providing network support, warranty and maintenance on the hardware and management systems. The proposed project personnel will be:

1. Mark Stevenson, Partner, as customer contact and executive management 2. Albert Sit, Partner, as overall technical manager 3. Heath Snell as overall project manager 4. Karl Ware as wireless engineer 5. Matt Sanches as local site project manager and technical programmer 6. Tim Gordon as installation lead 7. Nexus Staff as general installation and support 8. Xirrus and Juniper Level I support through Nexus

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The proposed project personnel provide factory trained and certified support for the installation, configuration, and support phases of the Xirrus projects. Nexus provides over 50 local technical and field support personnel for general network design and field installation and repair. As a point of reference, Nexus personnel have recently completed Xirrus advanced training from factory personal for the devices being proposed. 28.1 – Approach and Methodologies The methodology for planning the RFP was based on research of the individual sites to determine heat map coverage of academic and commons areas to be served. Based on the coverage needed, various Xirrus access point configurations were proposed with various radio configurations for each access point. Efforts were made to allow for overlapping coverage where possible. Xirrus will allow for a stand-alone power supply (a “power brick”) or will operate via power over Ethernet (“POE”) service. However, the standard POE switch will not provide adequate power for the Xirrus units. Therefore, where a number of Xirrus access points were to collapse back to an IDF or MDF, Nexus proposed the Xirrus custom designed POE switch. Where a minor number of Xirrus units were to be installed in an IDF facility, Nexus proposed a Juniper backbone switch with 48 ports at 1G and 4 ports at 1/10G fiber backbone interconnection. Overall management, monitoring and statistics reporting will be directed from the NPSB server with Xirrus management software which will be assumed to be installed at the School Board Office. 29.1 - Proposed Plan Several points of the proposed plan have already been covered in preceding sections. The overall plan will encompass the following elements and steps:

1. Confirmation proposed plan meets district requirements. Nexus will provide any additional information needed and meet with district staff to answer any questions. Nexus will provide onsite review of any site where the district seeks confirmation or changes.

2. Contract awarded. Note any contract entered into with Nexus will be bound by RS statute where the district may void at any time for non-appropriation. The district may also amend or void any portion of the contract prior to implementation for changes needed by the district.

3. Plan scheduled. Nexus will coordinate with district personnel to affect an installation plan to accommodate the district timetable. It is expected the district will request installation on a per-school basis concentrating on the schools with higher priority needs first.

4. Wireplan installation. Nexus will install new wiring as required, test, label, and provide as-built schematic and test results.

5. Equipment ordered and staged. Nexus will, in coordination with each wireplan, order, receive, configure, test, and document each AP, switch, and other items necessary to provide an end to end solution as requested.

6. Equipment installed and tested by Nexus and confirmed by district. 7. Network monitoring implemented. In conjunction with each school installation, Nexus will

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configure and update Xirrus management server to properly monitor and maintain statistics for various links.

8. Project step closeouts. As each school is completed, Nexus will provide a project report card for the installation along with budget completed. It is assumed the district will request invoicing based on school installation completion milestones. Nexus will offer the district the choice of either the SPI or the BEAR discount method, although it is assume the district will request SPI (where Nexus will bill USAC direct for all discounted amounts).

30. - Project Schedule Project schedule is broken down into categories according to the proposed plan:

1. Network design confirmation. Projected 2-4 weeks for overall review with district. 2. Equipment ordering. Projected 4 weeks delivery after release of order (“ARO”). It is assumed

the district will provide a schedule of priorities where Nexus can order and stage equipment for overlapping installations.

3. Wireplan installation. Projected 2-3 weeks for each school with not more than 2 schools overlapping at the same time for wire installation. It is possible for a quicker wireplan installation; the time period is based on working within a school calendar and primarily working after hours for installation.

4. Equipment installation. Projected 1-2 weeks for each school overlapping in conjunction with wireplan installation.

5. Xirrus management software update. Projected to be completed concurrently with equipment installation.

6. Milestone closeout per school. Projected 1-3 days after equipment installation. 31-32. - Proposal Copies and Evaluation

Nexus is submitting electronic copy via Central Bidding and will deliver paper copy.

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APPENDIX

Mission and Beliefs

Nexus Systems Inc. was built on the assumption that the management of information technology for schools and businesses is like legal services, accounting, graphic designing, and other bodies of knowledge, in that it is not inherently a do-it-yourself project. Knowledgeable business people need the support of quality vendors who can provide reliable hardware, software, network service, and support. Businesses must be able to depend on vendors of technology services, as they depend on other professional service providers. They must be able to place great trust in the quality of their services.

Nexus is such a vendor. It serves its clients as a trusted resource, providing them with the loyalty and commitment of a business partner and the economics of an outside resource. We provide our clients with the resources needed to run their businesses with maximum efficiency and reliability. When business information applications are mission critical, clients have the assurance that their technology needs we will be met.

Availability is also very important. The business decision makers tend to want immediate, local solutions to problems. At Nexus, we prefer to be the “first call” and the “only call” for your networking and technology needs.

We have long-established relationships with school, parish and state governmental agencies that we have served through the years. By offering professional services that include workflow and network design, management information systems support, and value-added support benefits, such as "one call" solutions, we will continue to be the business technology provider of choice. Nexus services include:

Site Layout and Network Design Hardware and Software Consulting Router and Switch Configuration Proxy Services Internet Firewall Technology In-House Internet Service Provider PC, Server & Network Supplies Maintenance Programs Video Conferencing Equipment and Services Voice over Internet Protocol RF Engineering Fiber Optics Services Distance Learning Applications Software Provider Security Video Systems Internet Service Provider

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The best measure of an individual or company is from the review by others in the normal course of business. Nexus has been awarded seven United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Services Broadband Community-Connect contracts to implement very high-speed wireless Internet links in communities in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. We are honored to be considered as RUS is a professional utilities organization with exacting standards for review and approval. The normal percentage of RUS plans funded after submission is about 1%; Nexus has had 9 of the last 10 plans funded, each approved without a question or change requested. Nexus offers a proven technology record that documents a superior ability to integrate all technologies. Nexus offer the highest local investment commitment, provides best value service, which gives the best guarantee for success. Nexus stands ready to provide complete professional services and a comprehensive product line to support the customer. Nexus Systems is committed to providing the best service for all customers. We are positioned to provide a single source for hardware, software, installation and integration and technical support for all products. We have staff over the region dedicated to the education environment and understand the needs and priorities present in those demanding environments. Providing telecommunications and Internet services in addition to equipment and technical support mean we must provide a higher level of service than other vendors. Your business is our primary business, not just another sale. Thank you for reviewing this Nexus E-rate proposal. We appreciate the opportunity to serve.

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KEY TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL STAFF

Mark Stevenson – President Education – BBA/Accounting; MBA Work History – Interned at ULM in Computer Center (MBA); employed 15 years at Ouachita Parish School Board established computing center and all administrative and academic computing services at district; employed 8 years at Monroe City School Board, implemented 6 million dollar technology program linking 20 schools and over 3,000 network points; State evaluator for DANS, CBTF, TLCF programs; extensive technology consulting in wholesale, financial, insurance and related industries. Tze Hung Sit (Albert) – Vice President – Technical Services Education – BS/Civil Engineering; BS/Computer Science; MS/Computer Science Work History – Employed 10 years at Ouachita Parish School Board, established WAN and programming services at district; employed 10 years at Monroe City School Board designing and implementing model networking programs; extensive corporate consulting designing in wholesale, financial, insurance and related industries; primary systems designer for Nexus Systems Internet and WAN services. Bobbye Earle – Vice President – Customer Relations Education – BS – Medical Technology; MEd – Education Guidance & Counseling Related Certifications – Chemistry, Biology, Science, Counseling, Instructional Supervisor, Parish Superintendent; Certified Evaluator; State Notary Work History – Employed 15 years as technical sciences teacher; State DOE Administrative Officer 7 years; Instructional Supervisor and Technologist Union Parish 16 Years; primary contact for Nexus Systems customer relations/support and grant development and management Tom Snell – Vice President – Marketing & Business Development Education – BS in Business Finance, MEd in Education Administration & Supervision Related Certifications – Mathematics, Administration & Supervision, Instructional Supervisor, Parish Superintendent Work History – Employed 11 years as Mathematics teacher and Varsity Baseball/Basketball Coach, School and District Athletic Director, Technology Director for Union Parish School District for 5 years, Union Parish School Superintendent for 5 years

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Billy Jones - CFO Education – BA/Accounting; Work History – Employed over 10 years as Louisiana and Mississippi State Auditor; employed over 5 years at Faulk and Foster as CFO managing over 5,000 commercial microwave tower builds and operations. Kim Smalling – Accountant Education – BA/Accounting; MBA Related Certifications – LASBO, CSBO; State Notary Work History – Employed 22 years in Ouachita Parish and Monroe City as Chief Accountant responsible for over $50 million per year in budget covering over 50 funds; responsible for general accounting. Employed over 14 years with Nexus Systems D.L. Bosworth – WAN Engineer; Technical Staff Education – BS/Electrical Engineering Related Certifications – Cisco CE; (also teaches Cisco Academy at North Delta Community College) Work History – Employed over 14 years at Nexus Systems as primary WAN/Internet engineer and in-house Internet support; responsible for over 200 routed sites. Matt Sanches – Project Manager - Technical Staff Education – BS/Computer Science Work History – Employed 4 years at Monroe City providing network support services; employed at Nexus Systems over 14 years providing in-house and field support for all Internet installation and support services. Daniel Gummere – Technical Staff Education – BS/Computer Science Work History – Employed over 5 years at Nexus Systems providing network support services Jess Cade – Technical Staff Education – BS/Computer Science Work History – Employed over 4 years at Nexus Systems providing network support services William Ayers – Technical Staff Related Certifications – A+ Certified, MCSE Work History – Employed over 20 years in industry; 7 years with Time Trend supporting school networks. Employed with Nexus Systems over 7 years providing field support for networks.

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Karl Ware – Wireless Engineer Education - BS – Electronics Engineering Related Certifications – Alvarion Wireless Engineer, CWNA Work History – Senior Engineer for Northeast Wireless for five years (acquired by Nexus Systems). Employed over 8 years with Nexus Systems Gus Terrones – Tower Installer Related Certifications – Certified Tower Technician Work History – Foreman and installation chief, Bullock Tower, four years. Employed over 6 years with Nexus Systems Matt Duty – Sales Engineer Education – BS - Computer Information Systems Work History – Employed 2 years at Union Parish Schools providing network support services; network administration for Arkla Taylor, Inc. in Ruston. Employed over 5 years with Nexus Systems Kenny Beall – Technical Staff/Telephone Switch and Fiber Technician Education – 1000+ hours BellSouth Technical Schools Work History – Employed over 30 years BellSouth, LDS, Deltacom (fiber), installing ILEC and CLEC telephone “5E” switch systems. Employed over 5 years with Nexus Systems. Chris Davis– Technical Staff/Telephone Switch and Voice Technician

Education – 700+ hours BellSouth Technical Schools. Avaya/Lucent PBX and Key system Schools. Alcatel/Lucent DMX-Large Circuit schools. Work History – Employed over 20 years installing/maintaining various PBX, Key and VIOP phone systems. As well as ILEC and CLEC systems. Some years experience in Central Office work with CenturyLink. Building and maintaining large circuit equipment Laura Stallins – CLEC Admin Support Education – 600+ hours Nortel Networks, NEC, Hitachi, ROLM, PBX, Key Systems, & Voice Messaging Technical Schools. Work History – Employed over 19 years Williams Communications as Sales Engineer, Southern Telecommunications, Inc. as Telco Provisioner as an Authorized Partner for AT&T. Employed over a year with Nexus Systems. Tommy McCarthy – Project Manager Work History – Employed over 15 years as Senior Project Manager Breck Construction, Project Manager Trillion Digital Communications, Project Manager Skyrider Communications. Employed over 4 years with Nexus Systems project manager for fiber builds. Heath Snell – Project Manager

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Education – BS – Construction Managment Work History – Employed over 5 years as Project Manager with Nexus Systems. Tim Gordon – Wireline, Telephone, and Wireless Service and Installation Technician Related Training – Wireline and Wireless Installations Work History – Employed as cable installer for Time Warner Cable, Trained and proficient in CAT 5 and cable installations. Employed with Nexus for over 4 years. Steven Anderson – Fiber and Telephone Technician Related Certifications – Over 15 related fiber installation certifications Work History – Employed at Wye Electric as fiber technician and project manager. Employed for one year with Nexus Gene Yates – Electrical Services Technician Related Certifications – Licensed electrician Work History – Retired Maintenance Supervisor for the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Employed for over 10 years with Nexus in warehouse material management and electrical services

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CUSTOMER REFERENCES – WAN/INTERNET

The following schools and libraries are customers of Nexus Systems who may be called to secure a customer reference. Nexus Systems serves school districts in 18 parishes and 5 counties which (*) are contracted with carrier grade microwave or combination of fiber base with microwave to outlying areas.

District Schools/Sites Students

Bienville Parish Schools *(Fiber and Microwave) 9 2605 Caldwell Parish Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 6 1907 Catahoula Parish Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 10 1920 Claiborne Parish Schools *(Fiber and Microwave) 11 2881 Concordia Parish Schools * 10 3968 Dermott Public Schools * 2 411 DeSoto Parish Schools * (Fiber) 13 5099 Franklin Parish Schools * 9 3387 Hamburg Public Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 6 1935 Jackson Parish Schools * (Fiber) 7 2595

Sam Strozier P.O. Box 705, Jonesboro LA 71251 (318) 259-4456

Junction City Schools * (Microwave) 3 680 Lincoln Parish Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 16 4800 Wanda Mitchell

410 South Farmerville Street, Ruston, LA 71270 (318) 255-1430

Madison Parish Schools * (Fiber Internet) 5 1250 McGehee Public Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 2 1164

Morehouse Parish Schools * 15 5452 Richland Parish Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 11 3810 Strong Public Schools * (Microwave) 2 393 Star City Public Schools * (Microwave) 3 1570 Tensas Parish Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 4 895 Union Parish Schools *(Fiber and Microwave) 9 4200

Mike Tynes P.O. Box 308, Farmerville LA 71241 (318) 368-9715

Webster Parish Schools *(Fiber and Microwave) 22 7785 Winn Parish Schools * (Fiber and Microwave) 8 2976

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Libraries Sites Bienville Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 4 Caldwell Parish Library * (Microwave) 2 Catahoula Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 3 Claiborne Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 2 Concordia Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 4 DeSoto Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 4 East Carroll Parish Library * (Microwave) 1 Franklin Parish Library * (Microwave) 2 Jackson Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 2 Lincoln Parish Library * (Fiber) 1 Morehouse Parish Library * (Microwave) 1 Union Parish Library * (Microwave) 1 West Carroll Library * (Microwave) 1 Webster Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 8 Winn Parish Library * (Fiber and Microwave) 5

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CUSTOMER REFERENCES – XIRRUS WIRELESS

The following schools are customers of Nexus Systems who may be called to secure a customer reference for Xirrus wireless installations.

District Schools/Sites Installed

Bienville Parish Schools 9 Caldwell Parish Schools 6 DeSoto Parish Schools 13 Lisa Register 201 Crosby Street, Mansfield LA 71052 (318) 872-1198 Franklin Parish Schools 9 Lincoln Parish Schools 16 Wanda Mitchell


Monroe City Schools 15 Morehouse Parish Schools 15 Scott Lautigar 4099 Naff Road, Bastrop LA 71220 (318) 283-3031

Tensas Parish Schools 4 Union Parish Schools 9


Winn Parish Schools 8