For Round 2 information please visit the 2016 Connectivity Initiative Round 2 RFP webpage.
JULY 22, 2016 NOTICE: The Department has determined that the July 5, 2016 dataset of eligible locations does not reflect contested locations submitted by a particular provider. The datasets below correctly reflect an additional 32 contested locations.
JULY 5, 2016 NOTICE: As a result of the volume of contested locations received by the Department of Public Service on June 17, 2016, the Department has published an updated list of eligible locations (see below) and revises the timeline for the 2016 Connectivity Initiative Request for Proposals. The revised timeline is as follows:
2016 Connectivity Initiative RFP Revised Timeline Effective July 5, 2016*
August 12, 2016 – Proposals due from Respondents by 4:30 p.m.
September 9, 2016 – Proposal Recommendation Submitted to Connectivity Advisory Board**
September 19, 2016 – Notice of Award and Department to Begin Negotiation with Selected Respondent(s)
*These revised dates supersede any previously announced or published dates
**Date subject to scheduling of a Telecommunications and Connectivity Advisory Board Meeting
2016 Connectivity Initiative RFP
The Department of Public Service, through its Division for Telecommunications and Connectivity, offers its second round of grant funding under the Connectivity Initiative to deploy broadband to under-served communities throughout Vermont. Applications for funding from the Connectivity Initiative are open to Internet service providers (ISPs). In 2015, $886,000 was awarded from the Connectivity Initiative to Comcast, FairPoint, and ECFiber. It is anticipated that approximately $556,000 will be available in this first 2016 grant round.
Conditionally Eligible Locations by County - See July 5, 2016 Updated Information Below
| County | Conditionally Eligible Locations |
| ADDISON | 3,835 |
| BENNINGTON | 4,212 |
| CALEDONIA | 6,198 |
| CHITTENDEN | 2,716 |
| ESSEX | 4,163 |
| FRANKLIN | 6,730 |
| GRAND ISLE | 2,880 |
| LAMOILLE | 5,226 |
| ORANGE | 6,660 |
| ORLEANS | 7,624 |
| RUTLAND | 3,150 |
| WASHINGTON | 3,314 |
| WINDHAM | 7,017 |
| WINDSOR | 4,650 |
| Total | 68,375 |
2016 Connectivity Initiative RFP - Note: See revised timeline effective July 5, 2016 at top of page
Department of Public Service Answers to Respondents' Questions - June 24, 2016
Eligible Census blocks and Locations MS Excel file (10 MB) Note: See July 5, 2016 updated information below
Eligible Locations with coordinates Note: See July 5, 2016 updated information below
July 5, 2016 Revised List of Eligible Locations
The Department received a large number of submissions from broadband service providers contesting the status of the conditionally identified underserved locations. The Department has reviewed these submissions and has prepared an updated dataset that reflects the July 5, 2016 revised list of eligible locations for the RFP. The breakdown of eligible locations by county is listed below:
| County | Underserved Buildings |
| ADDISON | 1104 |
| BENNINGTON | 1814 |
| CALEDONIA | 4769 |
| CHITTENDEN | 1252 |
| ESSEX | 2252 |
| FRANKLIN | 2162 |
| GRAND ISLE | 1907 |
| LAMOILLE | 1534 |
| ORANGE | 2911 |
| ORLEANS | 3441 |
| RUTLAND | 1176 |
| WASHINGTON | 1509 |
| WINDHAM | 3101 |
| WINDSOR | 1863 |
| Total | 30795 |
Eligible Census Blocks Updated July 5, 2016
Eligible Locations Updated July 5, 2016
Eligible Locations GIS data Updated July 5, 2016
July 22, 2016 update: The Department has determined that the July 5, 2016 dataset of eligible locations does not reflect contested locations submitted by a particular provider. The datasets below correctly reflect an additional 32 contested locations.
Eligible Census Blocks Updated July 22, 2016
Eligible Locations Updated July 22, 2016
Eligible Locations GIS data Updated July 22, 2016