Agenda Item
e. Approval of E-Rate Category 1 Network Services (Not to Exceed $139,087.33 after E-Rate Discount)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the purchase of E-Rate Category 1 eligible network equipment and technology services for the following:
● Zayo in the amount of $37,500 for Dark Fiber
● Cogent in the amount of $99,999 for 100Gb Internet Access
● AT&T in the amount of $1,253,374.32 for Lit Fiber Network
Total cost not to exceed $1,390,873 before E-Rate reimbursement. The district cost should not exceed $139,087.33 after the 90% E-Rate reimbursement.
Why: This request will ensure reliable, scalable, and resilient network infrastructure to support instructional and business continuity across the DeKalb County School District. Leveraging E-Rate funding administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) allows the district to secure these critical network services at a reduced amount of their commercial cost, with DCSD qualifying for a 90% discount based on free and reduced lunch eligibility.
These services strengthen the district’s digital learning environment and reduce risk of outages by increasing bandwidth, expanding resiliency, and establishing redundant network pathways between schools and core locations.
Details: DCSD utilizes E-Rate to extend purchasing power for eligible services and receive reimbursements on approved expenditures. For the FY26 funding cycle, DCSD applied for the following services:
Dark Fiber
Zayo-$37,500 (District Cost $3,750)
This provides the primary physical path between DCSD’s network and the Internet. Two bids were received, one for dark fiber and one for lit fiber. After evaluating recurring lease rates, required equipment, and maintenance costs over a 12-month period per E-Rate evaluation rules, dark fiber represented the lowest total cost and most cost-effective solution, even when lighting and maintenance expenses were included.
Internet Access - 100Gb Resilient Circuit
Cogent-$99,999.00 (District Cost $9,999.90)
This will provide supplemental high-capacity Internet bandwidth to relieve congestion caused by increasing student device usage and cloud-based applications. This connection will also serve as a failover to the state-provided PeachNet circuit, ensuring continued access to instructional and business systems during disruptions.
Lit Fiber Network
AT&T-$1,253,374.32 (District Cost $125,337.43)
This will provide a secondary connection path from each school to one of DCSD’s core network hubs (AIC, Sam Moss, or WBBC), independent of the existing self-provisioned fiber network. This layer of resiliency protects learning and operations from fiber cuts, facility outages, and accidental infrastructure damage.
Financial impact: $139,087.33 (District Cost)
General Fund
100.2800.530000.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information and Instructional Technology, 678.676.1274
Effective: July 2026
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
E-Rate Bid Evaluation Matrix
Funding Year 2026-2027
Product or Service: Data Transmission and/or Internet Access DCSD Internet Connection - AIC - 56
Marietta
School/Library Name: _______________________________
DeKalb County School District
Vendor 1 Vendor 2 Vendor 3 Vendor 4 Vendor 5 Vendor 6
AT&T Cogent Comcast Cytranet ipFone Zayo
Evaluation Criteria* Points Available
Annual Price N/A $148,824.24 $99,999.00 $138,432.00 N/A N/A $78.859.87
Price 20 7 16 8 0 0 20
Past Experience with
District 15 15 15 10 0 0 12
Changeover costs 15 5 10 5 0 0 5
Bid Responsiveness 15 15 15 15 0 0 15
Coverage for entire
district 15 15 15 15 0 0 15
Product/Service
Features 15 15 15 15 0 0 15
SPI Invoicing 5 5 5 5 0 0 5
TOTAL POINTS: 100 77 91 73 0 0 87
*Criteria may be customized during the assessment as long as Price always has the highest point value and the sum of all criteria totals 100. Please list any
disqualified vendors in the Notes
Vendor Selected: Cogent
Approved By: Joseph Swing
Title: Manager III Telecommunications
Award Date. 11/20/2025 Change due to BOE Approval
Bid Assessment Notes/Comments
Cogent's pricing was considered to be the most-cost effective due to their competitive pricing, their superior service and the changeover costs that would be
necessary to switch services to a new vendor. Although Zayo offerred a slightly lower price, the District has had issues with Zayo's services in the past -
specifically regarding service outages and communication problems. This made them not cost-effective. AT&T and Comcast had higher prices and the
same changeover cost issues. While Cytranet and ipFone bid, they did not read the Form 470 or bid the correct speed, so were evaluated at a zero.