Specifications include, but are not limited to: The South Carolina Office of Broadband Coordinator, more commonly known as the SC Broadband Office (SCBBO), within the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS), seeks a Contractor that significant experience assisting government and economic development agencies with regional/community broadband needs assessment, developing and implementing a strategy for optimizing grant processes, demonstrate experience coordinating large-scale telecommunication infrastructure projects and other related activities. Therefore, SCBBO is seeking a Contractor to support the following: Development of a five-year strategic plan which will fulfill federal requirements of the IIJA Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and — optionally — the Digital Equity Act (DEA). A separate program director will work on the issue of digital equity. The Contractor will interface and work with that program director and include the State's digital equity plan in the BEAD five-year plan. The final plan will identify specific areas of broadband infrastructure gaps, digital inclusion/access/equity strategies, stakeholder partnerships, and other essential stratagems to bring affordable broadband to every South Carolinian. The plan will serve as the guiding star to meet that end goal. Incorporate the five-year strategic plan into the state’s BEAD Initial Proposal to be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Active outreach, in partnership with other state agencies and stakeholders, to solicit input from various county, community, state, tribal, and local governments and agencies, businesses, social services, educational organizations, nonprofits including, but not limited to, AARP, United Way, Chambers of Commerce, and other volunteer organizations regarding a statewide digital connectivity plan. Engagement with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and local government partners to strategize regarding the expansion and adoption of broadband service and the programs administered by the SCBBO.
