Agenda Item
f. Approval of E-Rate Category 2 Network Equipment and Security Services (District Cost Not to Exceed $513,642.16)
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 2 eligible network equipment and technology services for the following:
CDWG in the amount of $961,065.68 for switches and related network hardware
ICN in the amount of $219,917.00 for internal connections and cabling
STEPCG in the amount of $579,493.08 for firewall licensing, managed services, and maintenance
Total cost not to exceed $1,760,475.76 before E-Rate reimbursement. The district cost should not exceed $513,642.16 after E-Rate reimbursement.
Why: This request will sustain reliable, secure, and high-capacity network infrastructure in support of instructional and business continuity across the DeKalb County School District. Leveraging E-Rate funding administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) allows DCSD to secure these services at a fraction of their commercial cost.
These services strengthen the district’s digital learning environment by expanding network capacity within schools, improving hard-wired connectivity in instructional and administrative spaces, and maintaining critical cybersecurity safeguards.
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:
Switches and Related Network Hardware
CDWG - $961,065.68 (District Cost $179,895.30)
This will increase switching capacity in schools to support the growing number of instructional devices and new data drops required for digital learning.
Internal Connections / Cabling
ICN - $219,917.00 (District Cost $34,636.55)
This will provide additional data drops and structured cabling to improve network reliability and alleviate wireless congestion in classrooms and offices.
Firewall Licensing and Managed Services
STEPCG - $579,493.08 (District Cost $299,110.31)
This includes firewall license renewals and expert managed security services for monitoring, patching, configuration updates, and network design documentation for firewalls, core switches, and wireless gateways. It also includes $62,500 in maintenance (time and materials) to be used only if troubleshooting or repairs are required.
These services collectively ensure uninterrupted access to instructional platforms, online assessments, district business systems, communication tools, and safety technologies.
Financial impact: $513,642.16 (District Cost)
SPLOST
306.2210.530000.80336.7600.9990.8010.070.0000
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
Chronology- ERATE Category 2
The Division of Information and Instructional Technology (DIIT) continues to upgrade the district’s
network infrastructure to support instruction, digital learning, and increasing wired and wireless device
utilization across schools. To minimize cost to the district, DIIT aligned these investments with federal
E-Rate Category 2 funding, which reimburses a significant portion of eligible internal connections,
basic maintenance, and managed services.
DIIT initiated a districtwide evaluation of switching capacity, cabling requirements, firewall lifecycle
status, and instructional technology expansion. This effort examined whether current infrastructure
could continue supporting growing digital learning demands.
Quantitative data—including service tickets, wireless performance analytics, and bandwidth
utilization—was analyzed to determine the most urgent networking priorities. The findings confirmed
the need to expand wired connectivity, add classroom data drops, and maintain secure firewall
operations.
Key Partners & Services:
CDWG- Cost $961,065.68 (District Cost $179,895.30)
Switches & Related Network Hardware
● Access-level switches
● Network transceivers and related switching components
● Required accessories to support switch deployment
ICN - Cost $219,917.00 (District Cost $34,636.55)
Internal Connections & Cabling
● Structured cabling materials
● Network jacks and terminations
● Patch panels and related cabling hardware
● Installation of new data drops
● Testing and certification of cabling
STEPCG- Cost $579,493.08 (District Cost $299,110.31)
Firewall Licenses, Managed Services & Maintenance
● Firewall software licenses (renewal and activation for main firewalls)
● Managed firewall services (configuration, monitoring, patching, security updates)
● Managed gateway services for Aruba wireless gateways and critical switches
● Break/fix support funds (to be used only if needed)
● Hourly maintenance bank (to be used only if needed)
DIIT aligned these needs with allowable services under E-Rate Category 2 and determined the
appropriate reimbursement structure. The analysis categorized components as fully eligible, partially
eligible, or ineligible under federal rules:
Project & Services: Fully E-Rate Services: Partially E-Rate Services: Not E-Rate
Vendor Eligible Eligible Eligible
Switches & Related
Network Hardware Access-level switches and Some switch licenses N/A
(CDW-G) related components
Internal
Connections & Structured cabling / data N/A N/A
Cabling drops
(ICN)
Firewall Licenses,
Managed Services Hourly maintenance bank Firewall licenses Network design documentation
& Maintenance ($37,500) / engineering beyond device
(StepCG) configuration
Break/fix funds ($25,000)
Cybersecurity hardening
Managed Services for activities outside the scope of
Firewalls and Wireless E-Rate’s definition of basic
Gateways network maintenance
The district cost below reflects the cost of partially eligible and ineligible services that are still required
for reliable and secure network operations but do not qualify for federal reimbursement under
program rules.This work will improve classroom connectivity, support digital learning growth across
schools, and sustain secure network operations for students and staff.
Financial Impact:
Project Total Cost District Cost Total Savings
(without E-rate (with up to 85%
discount) E-rate discount)
Switches & Related Network Hardware $961,065.68 $179,895.30 $781,170.38
(CDW-G)
Internal Connections & Cabling $219,917.00 $34,636.55 $185,280.45
(ICN)
Firewall Licenses, Managed Services & $579,493.08 $299,110.31 $280,382.77
Maintenance
(StepCG)
TOTAL $1,760,475.76 $513,642.16 $1,246,833.60