1. Purpose
Boulder County is issuing a request for information (RFI) to obtain input and feedback from all interested parties that can assist in identifying guidelines to prepare for, and structure specific requests directly related to broadband funding.
Federal and State broadband grant programs, specifically the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Program, Capital Projects Fund Program and BEAD Program (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) are being targeted by Boulder County to support the construction and deployment of additional broadband infrastructure, primarily in our rural and remote (unserved and underserved) communities. The goal is to provide affordable and reliable access to high-speed internet in areas that are typically perceived as high cost or geographically restrictive by providers. Boulder County’s program will outline a strategy designed to deliver network infrastructure that supports Governor Polis’ Executive Order D2022-009 to provide access to broadband for 99% of all Colorado households by December 2027.
Boulder County is committed to developing policies and programs that promote an environment of diversity and equity to provide economic and social benefits for all residents, that are essential in today’s digital economy. The deployment of more fiber capacity and the replacement of legacy technologies is an absolute necessity to make the generational change of providing affordable high-speed broadband access to all Boulder County communities. Community feedback and research indicate some areas of the county, may have required communications infrastructure improvements for an extended period of time.
The county is requesting information from providers and other entities that may also be applying for funding as part of any current or future initiatives. This includes public or private organizations that may be interested in developing public – private partnerships, formulating co-operatives or providing support in other ways. Boulder County has created a Broadband Program that has identified unserved and underserved areas that require access to broadband, or the implementation of improved technologies, and may incorporate feedback from this RFI to finalize an overall strategy that is currently under development by the IT department.
A map identifying current areas considered as unserved and underserved can be supplied as part of this RFI upon request.
Background
In June 2021, the Boulder County Broadband Program was established to focus on facilitating projects, partnerships, and leveraging funding opportunities that enable resilient, affordable, and reliable broadband connectivity to all residents. The objectives of the Program are:
- Work to increase the availability and access to broadband in areas that have no access, or have limited availability to broadband (ex: subscriber costs, # of providers in an area, increased capacity, and improved data speeds,)
- Provide resources that can assist with digital literacy education and communications equipment programs for residents to help close the digital divide and establish equity in our communities
- Develop public-private partnerships with Vendors, Providers, Co-ops, and Carriers that can expand network availability and encourage competitive options for consumers
- Utilize Federal/State funding and grant opportunities to assist in financing broadband construction efforts
- Identify alternative technologies and methods that can be deployed to deliver broadband
- Forecast required costs and timelines to deliver a reliable, resilient network that meets everyone’s needs
2.Written Inquiries
All inquiries regarding this RFI will be submitted via email to the Boulder County Purchasing Office at purchasing@bouldercounty.org on or before 2:00 p.m. September 30th, 2022. A response from the county to all inquiries will be posted and sent via email no later than October 7th, 2022.
Do not contact any other county department or personnel with questions or for information regarding this solicitation.
3.Submittal Instructions
Submittals are due at the email box only, listed below, for time and date recording on or before 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time on October 14th, 2022. Vendors must answer whether line-item pricing information submitted with a bid is confidential or closely held.
Please note that email responses to this solicitation are limited to a maximum of 50MB capacity.
NO ZIP FILES OR LINKS TO EXTERNAL SITES WILL BE ACCEPTED. THIS INCLUDES GOOGLE DOCS AND SIMILAR SITES. ALL SUBMITTALS MUST BE RECEIVED AS AN ATTACHMENT (E.G. PDF, WORD, EXCEL).
Electronic Submittals must be received in the email box listed below. Submittals sent to any other box will NOT be forwarded or accepted. This email box is only accessed on the due date of your questions or proposals. Please use the Delivery Receipt option to verify receipt of your email. It is the sole responsibility of the proposer to ensure their documents are received before the deadline specified above. Boulder County does not accept responsibility under any circumstance for delayed or failed email or mailed submittals.
Email purchasing@bouldercounty.org; identified as RFI # 7382-22 in the subject line.
All RFIs must be received, and time and date recorded by authorized county staff by the above due date and time. Sole responsibility rests with the proposer to see that their RFP response is received on time at the stated location(s). Any responses received after due date and time will be returned to the proposer.
