Addendum: Due date has been changed to February 28, 2020 at 4:00PM.
Answers to vendors' questions: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/telecommunications-plan-rfp-answers-vendor-questions
The Vermont Department of Public Service is seeking proposals to develop and write a State Telecommunications Plan that meets all new requirements set forth by Act No. 79 "An act relating to broadband deployment throughout Vermont."
The act amended 30 V.S.A. § 202d with additional directions for what should be included in the preparation, writing, and adoption of the State’s Telecommunications Plan. The current version of the State Telecommunications Plan can be found on the Department of Public Service website.
The draft plan addressed major ongoing developments in the telecommunications industry, including broadband and cellular infrastructure developments and regulatory policy. The Plan set forth a clear strategy for continuing to improve broadband access and quality in Vermont. It included an overview of the state’s existing telecommunications infrastructure and strategies for increasing the availability of broadband and wireless voice services. It described the state of the industry and the challenges facing Vermont and offered concrete recommendations for addressing them. The Department expects the 2020 plan to update these strategies and integrate all new requirements specified in Act No. 79.
The selected Contractor will work at the direction of the Department of Public Service to complete a draft Plan for Public Comment. The Plan shall be for a 10-year period and shall serve as the basis for State telecommunications policy. The Plan must be implementable and include concrete steps for achieving the goals described in 30 V.S.A. § 202c. The Plan should describe the public and private costs and the consequences of each implementation step.
For more information, please see the Department’s RFP.
Department response to vendor questions: https://publicservice.vermont.gov/content/telecommunications-plan-rfp-answers-vendor-questions
Responses are due by February 28, 2020.
Contact psd.telecom@vermont.gov with any questions.