A. Information Required with Proposal Having potential vendors separate parts from labor will help in the comparison of bids. However, it can establish the special qualifications of certain vendors and increase the likelihood of a quality installation done to standards. However, it does not guarantee it. Jobs completed recently is a way to identify references and get an idea of their skill level. B. Specifications of the Installation Primarily, the purpose of this section is to clearly specify to a prospective vendor the level of quality expected in the installation, parts and labor.
Layout documentation is important for future reference.
Contrary to uninformed opinion, no field test equipment exists to accurately certify 100 Mbps performance of an installation. To maintain category 5 performance in a network, a vendor must observe standards based installation practices in such things as wire termination technique, bend radiuses, etc. Get them to commit to these things in writing because, for the most part, their installation practices will be hidden from view above ceilings and behind walls. For the most part, the performance of the network will really only be as good as the quality of the installation. Some installations are being warranted for 15 years, parts and labor.