The project, labeled Next-Generation-Network (NGN), is expected to cost ~ $80 million and span several years. Over the last few months, Request For Proposal (RFP) responses have been gathered and are now being scored. Vendor selection is expected by September, and phased implementations are expected to start in 2017.
ITSS is actively participating in this project and currently reviewing/scoring RFP responses. At UMD, the immediate need is to replace all of our end-of-life, or soon to be end-of-life network gear. That equates to approximately 50% of the equipment in service. Other goals for this project are to improve scalability and reliability, increase speed and throughput, and enhance wireless. We expect to accomplish all of this while leveraging competitive RFP pricing. The price tag for UMD’s upgrade is estimated at $3 to $6 million depending on RFP outcomes and scope decisions.