City of Bogalusa School District committee accepts recommended E‑Rate vendors for equipment and broadband service

The City of Bogalusa School District finance committee voted to accept the technology department’s recommended E‑Rate bids and asked the superintendent to execute contracts for Category 2 equipment and managed internal broadband services.

Mia Wilson, a member of the district technology team, told the committee the district ran two competitive procurements under the federal E‑Rate program administered by the FCC and USAC: one for internal connections and equipment (Category 2) and one for managed internal broadband services (MIBS). Six proposals were received for each project and evaluators used the district’s scoring rubric, which weighted qualifications and experience, technical solution and value, approach and methodology, management team capabilities and pricing.

Wilson said Howard Technology Solutions received the top score for equipment with 92.75 out of 100 and was recommended for Category 2 purchases. SR Computers and Consulting LLC, based in New Orleans, received the highest score for MIBS at 88.75. Wilson described the recommended contracts as one‑year agreements with four optional one‑year renewals, and said both vendors demonstrated E‑Rate and USAC compliance, provided clear scopes of work, and offered competitive, itemized pricing. For the service category she cited pricing of approximately $27,000 a year.

The recommendation included contract language intended to protect the district through clear substitution, delivery and termination terms; full configuration and asset ledgers; license and warranty coverage for equipment; timely USAC filing (Form 474) and E‑Rate audit protections. Wilson said vendors agreed not to restrict access or withhold configurations and that billing would first apply E‑Rate reimbursement (85% per the filing structure) with the district responsible for the remaining share.

A board member moved to accept the bids as recommended and another member seconded. During the roll call on the motion, Ms. Mitchell, Mr. Creel and Dr. Williams were recorded voting yes; the motion carried unanimously. The committee recommended the superintendent be authorized to execute the contracts to ensure timely E‑Rate submission and implementation.

The board also moved to consider and approve the Category 2 E‑Rate RFP for 2026–2027 and advanced that item to the full board. No public commenters spoke during the committee session. The superintendent reported no addendums and the meeting was adjourned; the next meeting date was announced as April 23, 2026.