Additional Description 1
<p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>The NYC DOE, the largest public school district in the U.S., serves 1.1 million students and employs over 150,000 staff. The Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT) manages the DOE's vast telecommunications infrastructure. This RFEI is issued to explore industry capabilities and inform a future procurement strategy to transition from aging digital PBX systems to a unified, resilient, and cost-effective VoIP ecosystem.</span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong>Objective</strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>The focus of this RFEI is to gather information from Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), solution providers, and resellers capable of designing, deploying, and supporting a secure, scalable, and modern Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solution to replace NYC DOEs legacy telephony systems across over 1,800 school and administrative sites.</span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong>Compliance & Regulatory Requirements</strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>All proposed solutions must comply with applicable federal and New York State regulations governing data privacy, security, and telecommunications, particularly those related to educational institutions and emergency services.</span></span></p><table cellspacing='0' class='MsoTable15Grid1LightAccent1' style='border-collapse:collapse; border:none'> <tbody> <tr> <td style='background-color:#f2f2f2; border-bottom:2px solid #45b0e1; border-left:1px solid #83caeb; border-right:1px solid #83caeb; border-top:1px solid #83caeb; vertical-align:top; width:348px'> <p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> FEDERAL REGULATIONS</span></strong></span></span></p> </td> <td style='background-color:#f2f2f2; border-bottom:2px solid #45b0e1; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid #83caeb; border-top:1px solid #83caeb; vertical-align:top; width:372px'> <p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NEW YORK STATE REGULATIONS</span></strong></span></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td style='border-bottom:1px solid #83caeb; border-left:1px solid #83caeb; border-right:1px solid #83caeb; border-top:none; vertical-align:top; width:348px'> <ul> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)</span></span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)</span></span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA)</span></span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Enhanced 911 (E911)</span></span></span></li> </ul> </td> <td style='border-bottom:1px solid #83caeb; border-left:none; border-right:1px solid #83caeb; border-top:none; vertical-align:top; width:372px'> <ul> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NYSED Education Law § 2-d</span></span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NYS Encryption Standard (NYS-S14-007)</span></span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NYS Access Controls & Authentication (NYS-S20-001)</span></span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>NYS Information Security Policy (NYS-P03-002)</span></span></span></li> </ul> </td> </tr> </tbody></table><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong>Desired Solution Characteristics</strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>The DOE seeks a modern, secure, and scalable VoIP solution that aligns with its operational, technical, and compliance needs across a large and diverse educational environment.</span></span></p><ol style='list-style-type:upper-alpha'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>User Scope</span></span> <ul style='list-style-type:disc'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Support for 150,000+ staff across 1,800+ schools</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Must accommodate parent-facing and multilingual features</span></span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Deployment Model</span></span> <ul style='list-style-type:disc'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Cloud, on-premises, or hybrid options</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>WAN-independent calling capabilities for emergency functions</span></span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Integration & Interoperability</span></span> <ul style='list-style-type:disc'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Microsoft Teams Calling & Presence</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>SIS platforms (e.g., ATS, NYCSA), ServiceNow, HR systems</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>API, webhooks, telemetry, and event-driven integrations</span></span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Network & Performance</span></span> <ul style='list-style-type:disc'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>=99.99% availability for core call services</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Real-time monitoring of QoS, MOS, jitter via RTCP</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Must handle large, sudden call volumes without service degradation</span></span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Features Required</span></span> <ul style='list-style-type:disc'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Unified dial plan</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Voicemail, transcription, and analytics</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Presence, call queues, IVR, paging, recording</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Emergency services, SMS/MMS, verified business messaging</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Device management (provisioning, updates, troubleshooting)</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Site-based delegated administration (RBAC and audit logging)</span></span></li> </ul> </li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Compliance & Security</span></span> <ul style='list-style-type:disc'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Encryption (e.g., TLS, SRTP, AES-256)</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>MFA, RBAC, SAML integration</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>E911 compliance (location routing, RAY BAUMS Act, Karis Law)</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Audit logs and incident response plans</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>SOC 2, ISO 27001 or equivalent certifications preferred</span></span></li> </ul> </li></ol><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong>Procurement Platform Access</strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>This RFEI is published via the NYC DCAS City Record Online https://a856-cityrecord.nyc.gov/ and is publicly accessible through the Vendor Portal https://www.finance360.org/vendor/vendorportal/</span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong>Submission Instructions</strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>All Respondents must submit their completed responses by the deadline through following method:</span></span></p><ul> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Via Email: Send to dcptech@schools.nyc.gov </span></span> <ul style='list-style-type:circle'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Subject Line: Response to the VoIP RFEI from [Name of Firm]</span></span></li> </ul> </li></ul><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>To ensure consistency all Respondents are required to complete and submit the Appendix C- Vendor Response Template, which is provided as an attachment to this RFEI. Vendor Submission Package Must Include:</span></span></p><ol> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Completed Vendor Response Template (PDF or Excel format)</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Any supplementary documentation referenced in the Template:</span></span> <ol style='list-style-type:lower-alpha'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Product architecture diagrams</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Case studies or references</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Security certifications</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Costing model details</span></span></li> </ol> </li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Optional: Marketing brochures, white papers, or other materials</span></span></li></ol><p> </p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Formatting Guidelines:</span></span></p><ul> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Limit narrative content to 15 pages, excluding appendices.</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Number all pages.</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Include a table of contents.</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Use standard file formats: PDF, DOCX, XLSX, or PPTX.</span></span></li></ul><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'><strong>Important Notice</strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>This RFEI is issued for information-gathering purposes only. It is not a solicitation for bids or proposals and does not obligate the NYC DOE to:</span></span></p><ul> <li style='list-style-type:none'> <ul style='list-style-type:disc'> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Enter into negotiations or a contract</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Commence any procurement process</span></span></li> <li><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>Select or shortlist any Respondent</span></span></li> </ul> </li></ul><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Aptos,sans-serif'>The DOE is not responsible for any costs incurred by Respondents in connection with preparing or submitting responses to this RFEI.</span></span></p>