Specifications include, but are not limited to: Environmental Services for Broadband Middle Mile Network. The purpose of this RFP is to contract with an outside vendor to provide environmental analysis services for the Broadband Middle Mile Network (BMMN) project (“Project”), which involves installation of 10,000 miles of broadband infrastructure throughout the state to expand service to unserved and underserved areas by substantially reducing their upfront infrastructure costs, creating new opportunities for municipal fiber networks, and promoting affordability for consumers. All infrastructure will be placed within the State Highway System (SHS) right-of-way owned and operated by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and approximately 900 miles of the network will occur within the coastal zone. Caltrans is responsible for the planning, designing, permitting, and construction of the Project and is required to obtain coastal development permits from the Commission (and/or from local jurisdictions with certified Local Coastal Programs) for the portions of the Project within the coastal zone pursuant to the Coastal Act. As certain components of the Project are expected to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Commission is seeking a qualified and experienced outside vendor to conduct a CEQA-equivalent environmental analysis with a focus on resources protected by the Coastal Act to support the coastal development permit review process.
