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1 NC-IPS Solicitation# 20-11042020 ALEXANDER COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 2020 ALEXANDER COUNTY WIRELESS BROADBAND EXPANSION PROGRAM ALEXANDER COUNTY DESIRES TO ENGAGE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE HIGH SPEED INTERNET SERVICE TO PORTIONS OF ALEXANDER COUNTY. Alexander County Government plans to offer a grant in the amount of $200,000 to a qualified Internet Service Provider to extend broadband internet service to residential and business customers in unserved and underserved areas of Alexander County, NC and is seeking proposals from qualified Internet Service Providers to provide broadband services. Project Description: A Broadband Feasibility Study, completed in 2017, identified portions of Alexander County in which residents reported inadequate or non-existent broadband internet service. The areas are generally displayed on “Attachment A” at the end of this document along with an additional map showing potential vertical assets displayed on “Attachment A copy of the feasibility study is available at ( feasibility-study-for-alexander-county-nc_1-2-18.pdf Following this study, Alexander County EDC contracted with an Internet Service Provider to deploy broadband internet service in the form of a fixed wireless broadband system to certain areas of Alexander County as a pilot program. Alexander County government is now seeking proposals from qualified Internet Service Providers to expand upon the existing infrastructure and service provided under the pilot program and extend broadband internet service availability to additional unserved and underserved areas of Alexander County. Project Funding & Match Requirement: The County will provide financial assistance in the form of a grant as authorized by NCGS 153A-349.60 to the selected ISP in the amount of $200,000 for this project. The selected ISP will be required to provide a financial match of $200,000 or greater for the project. An in-kind match will not be considered in lieu of matching funds The selected ISP will be required to design, build, operate and maintain a broadband network capable of providing data services which meet the Federal Communications Commission basic broadband transmission speeds of 25 Mbps and 3 Mbps upstream or greater. All equipment associated with the installation and operation of the broadband network shall remain the sole property of the selected ISP. ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 If permitted by state law and approved by Alexander County Commissioners, the selected ISP may be offered access to vertical assets and other related infrastructure owned by the County on a competitively neutral basis to assist with the deployment of broadband as it relates to the scope of services. ISP’s may also be able to obtain access to other vertical assets not owned by the County. See vertical assets map, “Attachment at the end of this document. Scope of Services: Alexander County is looking for a qualified ISP to design, build, and maintain broadband infrastructure to connect previously identified unserved and underserved areas of Alexander County. Method of internet service delivery shall be identified by the ISP in their proposal. The goal of this project is to provide affordable, adequate internet access to as many unserved and underserved residents and businesses as possible. The selected ISP will be required to provide the County with periodic progress reports on a schedule as agreed upon by both parties. The selected ISP must display capacity to accomplish the following services: 1. Design a network that is cost-effective and which provides redundancy 2. Develop environmental documents, project recommendations, and cost estimates 3. Prepare detailed design and construction plans, technical specifications, and documents 4. Act as project manager for all construction phases 5. Provide on-site construction inspections and management 6. Conduct system performance tests 7. Conduct final project inspections and prepare final construction report 8. Maintain the equipment needed to provide retail broadband services to residential and business customers 9. Provide management functions of the service provision, including sales, billing and customer service 10. Provide broadband data services of at least 25 Mbps and 3 Mbps upstream to customers Proposed Project Schedule: Proposal Submittal Deadline December 14, 2020 – 4:00 p.m. Contract with Selected Partner January 11, 2021 Project Design Complete April 5, 2021 Project Construction Complete October 3, 2022 ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Proposal Requirements: Proposal submissions must include: 1. Description of the company, including location, number of employees, number of years of experience providing internet access, available resources, and other information necessary to determine to capacity of the company to properly execute the work proposed 2. Description of past company record of network reliability and customer satisfaction 3. Business and technical plan describing the method to conduct the Scope of Services above 4. Description of anticipated technology to be utilized in project 5. Anticipated service speeds provided to customers 6. Description of anticipated area to be served 7. Commitment of matching funds for the project 8. Detailed timeline of project 9. Sample service fee structure detailing cost and service levels offered to customers 10. Proposed project performance goals and metrics Proposal Evaluation: The following criteria and associated importance will be used to evaluate proposals and select a Partner: Evaluation Criteria Points Capability to perform all aspects of the project 20 Ability to meet project schedule 10 Displayed history of network reliability and customer satisfaction 15 Cost-effectiveness of anticipated technology 5 Ability to offer service to the largest amount of unserved/underserved residents/businesses 10 Anticipated service speed 10 Capacity to supply and maintain the equipment installed 5 Relevant experience and expertise 10 Experience partnering with local governments on projects 5 Additional Funding Match Offered 5 Quality and responsiveness of proposal 5 Total Possible Points 100 The selected qualified Partner will be invited to negotiate a contract with Alexander County. Should Alexander County and the selected Partner not be able to reach an agreement, Alexander County will then select another company who provided a proposal under this RFP. Alexander County reserves the right to discontinue the selection process at any time prior to the awarding of a contract and to reject any or all proposals. ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Proposal Submissions: Proposals must be received no later than 4:00 pm on Monday, December 14, 2020. Submit written proposals to: Alexander County Broadband Project Alexander County Administration 621 Liledoun Road Taylorsville, NC 28681 ATTN: Rick French, County Manager Faxed proposals will not be accepted. Proposals received after the submission deadline will not be reviewed. ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- NC-IPS Solicitation# 20-11042020 ALEXANDER COUNTY REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS 2020 ALEXANDER COUNTY WIRELESS BROADBAND EXPANSION PROGRAM ADDENDUM #1 11/09/2020 This addendum to the Alexander County RFP for the 2020 Alexander County Wireless Broadband Expansion Program is being issued to clarify the point of contact for questions regarding the RFP. This information was omitted from the original RFP. Please direct all questions regarding this RFP to the contact listed below. David Moose – Compliance Specialist Email: Phone: [PHONE REDACTED]