EGBA FY25 Broadband Middle Mile Initiative Support

Background
The Colorado Broadband Office (CBO), part of the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT), is responsible for statewide broadband collaboration and coordination. The CBO aims to achieve 99% broadband coverage in Colorado by 2027 and enhance broadband connectivity and infrastructure resilience across the state.

To support these goals, the CBO is undertaking a Middle Mile Initiative, which requires specialized services to consult and support the planning and execution of this project. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to gather essential information from experienced vendors to help refine requirements and approaches to the Middle Mile Initiative, focusing on vendor pricing structures and staffing capabilities.

Work Details
The CBO seeks a skilled technical consultant with expertise in broadband middle mile network mergers, acquisitions, strategic plan development, state-owned dark fiber audit and inventory, stakeholder engagement, and leasing of the state-owned middle-mile network. The work includes:

1. Strategy One: Planning and Execution of Existing Integrated Networks into a Statewide Network - Integrate existing fiber networks into a state-owned Middle Mile Network.
2. Strategy Two: Strategic State-Wide Middle Mile Program Roadmap - Conduct assessments, feasibility studies, develop a strategic roadmap for the initiative.
3. Strategy Three: State-Wide Fiber Inventory Plan and Project - Audit and inventory state-owned fiber infrastructure, develop a public-facing portal for access.

Deliverables include due diligence reports, strategic roadmaps, stakeholder engagement strategies, comprehensive inventory reports, GIS mapping data, and a functional public-facing portal.

Period of Performance
The RFI outlines a schedule with key dates including solicitation publication on May 1, 2024; written inquiry deadline on May 5, 2024; state response to inquiries by May 7, 2024; and vendor response submission deadline by May 9, 2024.

Place of Performance
The contract will be performed across various locations in Colorado where state-owned fiber infrastructure exists.

Bidder Requirements
Vendors must demonstrate experience in broadband network planning, acquisition, integration management, fiber infrastructure inventory, GIS mapping, and portal development. They should provide detailed information about their staffing models and key personnel qualifications.