State of Illinois General Notice for Pending Request for Proposal Statewide Telecom Network Voice &

Data Services Contract(s)RFP Request ID # 08-31864

June 4, 2008

DISCLAIMER: The State of Illinois reserves the right to make modifications to the chapters, bidding requirements, etc. prior to the release of the RFP. The rules/requirements outlined in the RFP are final and override any previous communications. 2

Overview

The State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) will be seeking vendors to enter into long-term contract(s), not to exceed 10 years, to fulfill the State’s private telecommunications network and voice/data services needs

The Illinois Century Network (ICN) is the dominant method for consolidating information technology services for State Agencies and for providing interconnection for K-12, higher education and other affiliated organizations ICN connects more than 8,000 sites across the State, and will continue

to grow

CMS is preparing to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP), Statewide Telecom Network Voice & Data Services Contract(s), anticipated to be released in August 2008 to fulfill the State’s telecommunications needs

Current contract(s), which expire in 2008, provide for procurement of a variety of voice and data services to support ICN backbone, ICN access and Internet Egress

DISCLAIMER: The State of Illinois reserves the right to make modifications to the chapters, bidding requirements, etc. prior to the release of the RFP. The rules/requirements outlined in the RFP are final and override any previous communications. 3

Goals of this Pending RFP

The State of Illinois’ goals are to create a multi-vendor environment to support anticipated network growth and provide enhanced flexibility and redundancy

The RFP will be designed to enable the State to: Create cost effective and flexible purchasing options that will endure five

or more years Identify new market entrants that can offer competitive solutions

Take advantage of new services, alternative providers and improved price / performance over the terms of the contracts

Integrate technological progress and industry evolution into the going-forward strategy

DISCLAIMER: The State of Illinois reserves the right to make modifications to the chapters, bidding requirements, etc. prior to the release of the RFP. The rules/requirements outlined in the RFP are final and override any previous communications. 4

Proposed RFP Design

Scope of services covered within this RFP is wide-ranging, which has led the State to develop a “chapter approach” as the structure for this RFP

What is the “chapter approach”? Individual sections within this RFP representing specific service

offerings Potential vendors are allowed to select particular services

(chapters) on which to bid Allows for flexibility in responses in order to foster best

competition and generate best pricing Responses to individual chapters are allowed Responses that address specific geographic areas are allowed

Allows for awarding best in class supplier(s) for each chapter Multiple awards may be appropriate, and will be allowed, due to the

service and geographic scope of this RFP.

DISCLAIMER: The State of Illinois reserves the right to make modifications to the chapters, bidding requirements, etc. prior to the release of the RFP. The rules/requirements outlined in the RFP are final and override any previous communications. 5

Sample RFP ChaptersRFP Chapters Chapter Scope

ICN Core High speed circuits between the State’s 15 points-of-presence (POPs) (620 Mbps and above) and from the ICN POPs to Tier 1 NSP POPs (1 Gbps and above). Pricing sought will include upgrade options to accommodate the dramatic growth anticipated in backbone capacity.

Dedicated Fiber Connectivity

Dedicated fiber (wholly-owned or irrevocable rights-to-use) between the State’s 15 POPs and from ICN POPs to Tier 1 NSP POPs. The State also seeks partners to offer managed services for the dedicated fiber links at an optical level.

Internet Egress Capacity

Increasing needs for Internet Egress requires the State to seek partners that can offer Tier 1 NSP capacity for connection to the ICN. The State will seek pricing for current and future needs.

Off-Net Private Line Circuits

Private line circuits connecting directly between Agency sites (Agency-to-Agency) instead of going through the ICN.

Last Mile Connections Last-leg connection from constituent facilities to associated ICN POPs, offering migration from today’s T-1 speeds to higher speed connections.

Centrex-like Voice Services

Centrex-like voices services, including basic and enhanced services and features.

Other Voice Services Includes a range of voice services, including long distance service, inbound toll-free services, audio-conferencing, calling cards and operator services.

VSAT Satellite Services

Statewide VSAT satellite data transport services, for both static and transportable applications.

DISCLAIMER: The State of Illinois reserves the right to make modifications to the chapters, bidding requirements, etc. prior to the release of the RFP. The rules/requirements outlined in the RFP are final and override any previous communications. 6

Example Chapter Framework Although each chapter will specify unique requirements, a framework is

provided which represents the basic structure that can be expected for the RFP chapters

Background / Scope Growth Forecasts

Service Definitions

Service-Specific Specifications Performance Response and Service Restoration Timelines Penalty Clauses Ordering and Provisioning Timeframes Terms and Termination Rights

Location-by-Location Service Availability

Geographic Scope of Service Availability

Service Response

DISCLAIMER: The State of Illinois reserves the right to make modifications to the chapters, bidding requirements, etc. prior to the release of the RFP. The rules/requirements outlined in the RFP are final and override any previous communications. 7

Vendor Opportunities

Vendors may bid on one or more chapters

The State wants to allow vendors that specialize in particular services, or offer services in specific geographic areas, to submit a proposal response for those specific services or areas (e.g., Last Mile capacity)

Vendors are allowed to respond with new services and differentiated support models

The State will allow multiple vendors to be awarded per chapter Vendor diversity is a key goal of the State

Anticipated growth and expansion requirements offers vendors substantial opportunities

DISCLAIMER: The State of Illinois reserves the right to make modifications to the chapters, bidding requirements, etc. prior to the release of the RFP. The rules/requirements outlined in the RFP are final and override any previous communications. 8

Upcoming Information

Additional information regarding the pending Statewide Telecom Network Voice & Data Services Contract(s) RFP will be posted to the Illinois Procurement Bulletin via upcoming “General Notices”