CIS Letter From the Executive Diretor

February 13, 2004

To The Quilt RFP Respondents:

The Quilt Commodity Internet Services group is now engaging in its third extensive, national review of Internet Service Providers. This RFP is the formal mechanism for this review. You will find the complete RFP materials available for download at http://www.thequilt.net/proj-cis.

Our goal is to identify those vendors who, through their IP transit Internet service offerings, are willing and able to be partners in the delivery and development of our research and education networks throughout the United States.

The Quilt participants today purchase an aggregate of over 24Gbps of commodity Internet Service. We project that this number will rise to at least 30Gbps by this time next year.

We will look to our commodity Internet services vendors for pricing discounts appropriate to our levels of bandwidth consumption. We will expect technical competence. We will expect reasonable administrative capabilities. We will expect these vendors to recognize the wealth of opportunities that exist through constructive partnerships with The Quilt community.

Today, there are four vendors who enjoy the distinction of being Authorized Quilt Vendors; however, The Quilt has no set quota for vendors. Vendors have been, and will continue to be, chosen strictly on qualifications and merit.

We look forward to reviewing your response to this RFP and invite you to learn more about The Quilt and our individual participants at www.thequilt.net.

Sincerely,

Wendy Huntoon

Executive Director