The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is soliciting proposals, through this Request for Proposals (RFP), for a qualified Fiber Optics Engineer to review and evaluate grant applications and to assist applicants pursuing the phased approach plans outlined in the Broadband Construction Program’s RFP. The Fiber Optics Engineer shall also review the applications as a collective state-wide project and identify opportunities and gaps in the networks that could be filled to ensure redundancy and resiliency. Finally, the Fiber Optics Engineer shall be the go-to resource for all questions related to fiber optic design. This may include participating in conversations with utilities and private providers. The Board anticipates that the selected contractor(s) hired in connection with this Request for Proposal (RFP) will perform a detailed review and evaluate reports, drawings, and calculations of high-level and detailed designs submitted by the Communications Union Districts and offer expert advice to the Vermont Community Broadband Board and suggestions to applicants. This review and suggestions provided are designed to ensure the effective use of existing state assets and compliance with Outside Plant Design Standards set by the VCBB, among other goals established by Act 71.
The selected contractors will be expected to: conduct a preliminary review and evaluate reports, drawings, and calculations of between 6 and 12 grant applications and provide expert advice to the VCBB Governing Board; examine plans individually and collectively to ensure that the resulting state-wide network follows good design practices, is resilient and redundant and provide an assessment of notable issues and/or concerns to the Board; attend site visits and/or public hearings as needed and scheduled by the Board; attend site visits and/or public hearings as needed and scheduled by the Board; work with partners inside and outside the state government to identify collaboration opportunities and ensure all networks are built to meet current and future needs, including participating in remote meetings with the Agency of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Agency of Education, Department of Libraries, Public Service Department, and other agencies and coordination with electrical utilities, telephone providers, mobile wireless providers, and other private sector entities; and provide additional support to Board staff as needed.
The contract period will begin when a contract is executed and end one year from that date.
Bids will be accepted via email submission to vcbb@vermont.gov. Proposals are due by 4:30 p.m., Friday, February 4, 2022, with the goal of finalizing a contract as soon as practicable during February 2022.
For more information, including scope of services and schedule, please see the RFP Document.
Please send any questions to:
Rob Fish, Deputy Director
Vermont Community Broadband Board
Robert.Fish@vermont.gov