- Q. The current proposed timeline is exceedingly tight to accomplish this work. I see that the terms include an option for renewal for up to two additional, two-month periods. We would absolutely need to push this timeline out to even consider responding. Is pushing the timeline acceptable, should we decide to submit a proposal?
A. Please respond and detail a timeline that would be workable for your organization. - Q. 3 states that the contractor will plan and facilitate six in-person focus groups with reps of each AMO territory. Task 2 describes four AMO territories. Is it correct to assume that you're seeking six focus groups in total, with representation from across the four AMOs? Would it be acceptable to propose the in person focus groups be conducted via Microsoft Teams and/or Zoom type online platforms?
A. The maximum number would be six focus groups. However, utilizing an online platform might reduce the need to have so many. - Q. Has a similar study been done before? Can you share the link to the report (assuming it is public info)
A. 2016 Comcast Community Needs Assessment provided and linked here. - Q. Is there a specific reason this study is being conducted, or just due diligence?
A. The Public Utility Commission (PUC) requires this work to be done as part of the process for a cable television operator to renew its Certificate of Public Good (CPG) to do business in Vermont. Please see section 8.231 of Rule 8.000. - Q. What contact information can VTel give us (so we can survey customers)?
A. PSD has requested confirmation that VTel will be able to provide contact information. - Q. How many customers in VT does VTel have?
A. At this time, VTel serves 15,002 customers (it is possible that not all are cable television subscribers.) As for locations passed, VTel calculates it passes between 16,636 and 17,436 service locations. - Q. The RFP says, “The contractor hired will support” the Department to administer the survey. Does the survey that is to be used already exist?
A. The Department has surveys from past proceedings that can be used as a framework. - Q. Does “support” include: questionnaire design, data collection plan design, full analysis of data?
A. Yes - Q. I have only one question: Have there been previous surveys, and if so, is any information about these surveys — such as questionnaires, reports, testimony, and the like — available to bidders?
A. 2016 Comcast Community Needs Assessment (CNA) report provided and linked here. - Q. As I understand it, the survey will be “…a representative sample of VTEL’s cable customers in the company’s cable service territory” (page 2), though the 2016 survey included both customers and non-customers, and the Statement of Work only stipulates a less specific “…representative sample of randomly selected households” (page 19).
A. The former might include both residential and commercial customers, but the latter would only be residential customers. - Q. The Statement of Work’s first task is to “refine the survey (attachment 1)” (page19), but I could not find an attachment 1.
A. Draft survey provided here. - Q. Focus groups are often conducted before a quantitative study to help clarify issues for the questionnaire, but the RFP calls for them to be conducted after the survey has been completed (p 19). In this case, what is their objective?
A. These focus groups are meant to be an opportunity for AMO board members, community members, and VTel customers to provide qualitative input for the Community Needs Assessment.
ATTACHMENTS FOR 2016 COMCAST CNA