State of Illinois General Notice for Pending Request for Proposal

1. 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

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 Chapters 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” 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.