01GO-S2478 Q and A Questions 1-38 Answered.pdf

QUESTION_NBR CREATED_BY QUESTION_SUBJECT QUESTION_TEXT ANSWER_TEXT

1 BPENGA Maintenance Requirements

The routine maintenance, repair and fiber cut restoration requirements are located under Exhibit C ?Construction and Construction Project Management Specifications?. Are we to assume that these activities are to be performed only during the construction period and the State Partners will take over these responsibilities after construction?

These activities are post-construction and are the responsibility of the fiber construction and marketing partner if a contract is awarded. OSIT expects these activities to be undertaken by the fiber construction and marketing partner if a contract is awarded. In Exhibit C of the RFP, the ongoing maintenance responsibilities of the Fiber Construction and Marketing partner are outlined. The selected Fiber Construction and Marketing Partner, if one is selected, will perform these functions at no cost to the State.

2 BPENGA Project Budget

The I-80 Middle Mile Project budget includes $8.8M for feasibility studies, community engagement and public feedback processes, equity assessments and planning, and needs assessments. These activities do not appear to be included in the scope of work for the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner. Would these tasks be performed by a third party outside of the requirements of this RFP?

These activities will be normal construction communication activities with local communities along the route and may not require this much funding. The RFP budget is a suggested framework, not a requirement.

As the RFP requests, the proposal from a prospective Fiber Marketing and Construction vendor should include a proposed budget.

3 BPENGA Project Budget

The I-80 Middle Mile Project budget includes $3.68M for collecting and measuring performance data and activities needed to establish and maintain a performance management and evaluation regime related to projects funded by CPF. Are these activities part of the scope of work for the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner? If so, please provide additional detail regarding the requirements for these tasks.

The RFP budget is a suggested framework, not a requirement. As the RFP requests, the proposal from a prospective Fiber Marketing and Construction vendor should include a proposed budget.

4 BPENGA Hut Locations Page 34 indicates that the Applicant will review collocation options and/or recommend new locations for huts or other sites. What quantity of the huts/sites are the State Partners estimating to be required for the project?

There is no required number of huts/sites, other than the State would like huts/interconnection facilities should be sited in population centers along the route rather than just at normal regeneration distances. The purpose of the route is to enhance the availability of upstream transport, access and backhaul services to these local markets. The proposal should include the prospective fiber marketing partners citing of huts.

5 BPENGA Route Mileage Page 2 indicates 950 miles of fiber in the project. In reviewing the fiber routes on the map, we are measuring approximately 845 miles. Can additional information be provided regarding the projected quantity of construction?

The calculation of mileage is in error. At a minimum the route should follow a pathway similar to this outline:

Eastern NV Middle Mile

Caliente and through Pioche

41.11250291566847, -114.96901689920762

I-80 Route

120.00361854685875

The Fiber Construction and Marketing Partner proposal should include the specific proposal for a turn-by-turn route.

6 CDMSMITH Environmental What is the anticipation for Environmental documentation on the project?

OIST expects that the projects will require a full environmental assessment including coordination with State Historic Preservation Offices, other appropriate State and Federal Agencies including the EPA and the Bureau of Land Management, Tribal Governments, and all other agencies. OSIT does not expect these projects to be granted categorial exclusions meaning a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will need to be issued prior to commencement of construction.

Bid 01GO-S2478 Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner for High Speed Nevada Phase II Nevada Middle Mile Network Bid Q&A

7 CDMSMITH What agency will be the lead federal agency?

For environmental review, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency will be the lead review agency. The builds mainly traverse Nevada Department of Transportation Right of Way in land owned by the US Government through the Bureau of Land Management.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Maps Can you provide a KMZ file of the request routes?

A KMZ file has been added to the NevadaEPro RFP site. OSIT will consider slight deviations from the proposed route particularly if the respondent wants to utilize its existing pathways.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Permit/Assessments Has any permit work or environmental assessments taken place? If so, can you share what was completed?

No existing permitting or environmental work has been completed.

Permitting and environmental assessments will be the responsibility of the winning Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner if the project is awarded.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

IRU Term The industry standard for an IRU is 20 or 25 years. Why is 30 years being requested?

To clarify, the Middle Mile Construction and Marketing Agreement Contract associated with this RFP offers a 10-year contract for the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner if one is awarded. There are also four 5-year renewals for this agreement.

The thirty-year IRU period is suggested for dark fiber transactions. OSIT is open to other IRU terms for third-party customers. The respondent is welcome to include alternative terms in their proposal.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

IRU Rate Structure If the applicant has contracted rates with its customers for the procurement of LHDF, will the state honor those rates?

The respondent is responsible for proposing a final rate card. While OSIT supplied basic parameters it provided to the NTIA and OSIT strongly desires respondents to this RFP to adhere to those parameters, respondents are free to propose their own rate card.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

IRU Rate Structure Distance is only one factor that can impact the rate of the service. Can pricing be adjusted for the quality of service taken?

The respondent is responsible for proposing a final rate card. While OSIT supplied basic parameters it provided to the NTIA and OSIT strongly desires respondents to this RFP to adhere to those parameters, respondents are free to propose their own rate card.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Fiber type Which cable manufacturers and fiber type is required?

Specifications for fiber are listed in Exhibit C of the Middle Mile Construction and Marketing Agreement Contract that is located on the NevadaEPro RFP site. No specific fiber manufacturer is recommended.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Conduit systems

There is a total of 2 six-way conduit systems required in section 2. Exhibit D specifies a 1 six-way conduit system, which is how costs were derived. Was there a feasibility study completed for each requested route (not a vendor quote) containing the correct scope? If so, can you please share? Also, was there any "management fee" included for the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner to manage the construction of the route? If so, what was it?

The table has a typo. The feasibility study was based on installation of two six-way conduits.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

IRU Renewals How would renewals be handled after the initial period if there is a change to the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner?

The State will choose another Fiber Marketing Partner through a competitive process. The existing vendor will remain in place, under the terms and conditions of the Middle Mile Construction and Marketing Agreement Contract until a transition to a new vendor can be made.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

State Refusal of IRU Agreement Can you provide a hypothetical example of a scenario where the state would refuse an IRU agreement?

A lessee who would not agree to basic, industry standard terms of controlled fiber hut access or who demanded first-priority for repair of cut fibers or a lessee who proposes to lease a number of strands that would not leave inventory for other lessees.

OSIT plans to address these types of situations with the chosen Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner before dark fiber leases are marketed to third parties.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

State IRU Contract What if end users have an existing master agreement with Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner? A concern is that state contract may not work for some customers.

OSIT has only offered a Middle Mile Construction and Marketing Agreement Contract that defines the relationship between the Fiber Construction and Marketing partner (if one is awarded) and the State/OSIT. OSIT has not dictated terms and conditions by which the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner (if one is chosen) provides dark fiber, conduit access or lit fiber services to end customers. OSIT has only proposed Service Level Agreement standards for these services in the Middle Mile Construction and Marketing Agreement Contract (see Exhibit A). The services agreements offered to third-party customers/lessees will be negotiated between OSIT and the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner (if one is chosen).

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

State IRU Contract Can the State provide a copy of your standard IRU agreement? Yes. It will be posted on Epro as soon.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Project Overruns Is the expectation that the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner funds overruns of each project?

That is correct. the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner would be responsible for any cost overruns. OSIT believes that the budget provided, with an allocation of funding from the CPF, NTIA Middle Mile Grant and Nevada DOT; the use of existing DOT right-of-way and the provision of supervisory engineering and supervisory field labor from OSIT and NDOT is sufficient to complete the project.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

ILA/Colo There is no mention of ILA colo as a service offering or revenue share. Was ILA colo accounted for in the design and costs?

Page 10 of the Middle Mile Construction and Marketing Agreement Contract mentions colocation revenue as part of the revenue share.

Colocation was accounted for in the design costs.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Local ISPs Will the state provide a priority list and/or catalog of local IPSs?

Yes, the State will provide the winning bidder with a list of all localized terrestrial and wireless ISPs that have registered with the OSIT. OSIT does not have a priority list of ISPs.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Interconnection How do you define interconnection? Is it the customer dropping out of the NV middle mile fibers to connect to a facility anywhere along the route? What about ILA colo that is being used for amplification/regeneration?

The question asks for a definition of interconnection, but what this network is being built for is to allow for local ISPs serving unserved and underserved markets along the route to interconnect with network.

The Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner (if one is selected) should deliver lit fiber service or leased dark fiber to a location desired by the third-party customer or lessee. If that includes additional construction on the part of the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner, those charges should be added to the rate card rate for the desired service and will not be part of the revenue share. If the end customer desires colocation space, there will be a rate card for space rental and that will be included in the State’s revenue share calculation.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Conduit sale When conduit is sold, the customer will populate it with fiber creating competition with the state. Had the state thought through this on how it would impact it's anticipated revenue?

This question seems to assume the State is undertaking this effort to maximize revenue. That is not the case. The State is undertaking this effort as part of the overall High Speed Nevada initiative whose goal it is provide every Nevadan with an affordable, scalable, reliable, and resilient broadband connection at their home or business. The evaluation criteria for this RFP clearly outlines that goal, as reasonableness of commission structure for the State is assigned 5 points in the rating system.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Environmental Findings What options will the state have to help expedite environmental studies? We anticipate that environmental findings would not be concluded until the end of 2024 putting the September 2026 delivery date in jeopardy.

The September 2026 deadline is driven by the I-80 route, which is funded by CPF dollars. The Highway 93 route with NTIA funds has a longer time horizon. OSIT and NDOT will work with the winning bidder to provide information necessary for the environmental submission in a timely manner.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Conduit/Fiber Inventory How will the state manage the conduit and fiber inventory of the network? Will the state purchase, or has, an existing GIS system that will keep an inventory of the assets? Or is that expected from the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner?

The State has a fiber management system that can be utilized. Data will be shared with the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner (if one is selected).

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Splicing/lateral construction For the conduits and cables dedicated to state use, who will perform and work (splicing, lateral builds, etc...) when needed? Will the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner be responsible for that and charge the state accordingly?

The Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner (if one is selected) should deliver lit fiber service or leased dark fiber to a location desired by the third-party customer or lessee. If that includes additional construction on the part of the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner, those charges should be added to the rate card rate for the desired service and will not be part of the revenue share. If the end customer desires colocation space, there will be a rate card for space rental and that will be included in the State’s revenue share calculation.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Feasibility study Per page 31, in the "Time Schedule and Project Milestones" section, this can not be determined without a feasibility study. Has one been performed?

OSIT contracted with a third-party engineering vendor to do a feasibility and cost study for both the Eastern NV middle mile and the I-80 project.

This engineering firm worked closely with the Nevada Department of Transportation. The engineering firm used prevailing wage rates to calculate cost estimates.

All information from the feasibility study including the detailed budget was included in the RFP.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Current customers with NDA Some current long haul cusomters are under NDA. How does the state wish we represent these companies in our proposal?

Classify customers under NDA as either enterprise, service provider or government and give them a numerical designation. OSIT wants to know the scope and number of relationships.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Reporting Will the Local ISPs report to the State or to Zayo on CFP reporting requirements such as homes passed or post-CFP investment broadband availability (ref: Project Use Code 1A ? Broadband Infrastructure Projects)

Local ISPs will report to OSIT.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Feasibility Study In Exhibit B, this wouldbe covered under a feasibility study. Has one been completed for each requested route? There is not enough time to conduct a feasibility study in the time frame provided.

OSIT contracted with a third-party engineering vendor to do a feasibility and cost study for both the Eastern NV middle mile and the I-80 project.

This engineering firm worked closely with the Nevada Department of Transportation. The engineering firm used prevailing wage rates to calculate cost estimates.

All information from the feasibility study including the detailed budget was included in the RFP.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

SLAs Can the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner propose other spec's based on their existing service schedules used for fiber services?

The prospective Fiber Construction and Marketing Partner can propose other service specifications such as service level agreement standards for lit fiber service and dark fiber repair, but understand that the State will score the response based on the standards in the RFP and the Middle Mile Construction and Marketing Agreement Contract.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Hand Holes/enclosures On page 50, "All splicing enclosures and Hand Holes shall be of a type to be determined by the County."

This needs to determined upfront due to the cost implications.

Here is a base, most stringent specification, but understand in certain areas of the build the weight load limit for handholes may not be required.

• On buried routes, all handholes shall be DOT approved, 45,000 lb. load rated CDR or comparable enclosures on roadways and railways, and pedestrian rated handholes for non-roadways and non-railways.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

NIST Reporting Requirements Per the NIST reporting requirement, "Monitoring project progress and reporting progress to NTIA and NIST". Is this requirement included in the quarterly progress and financial reports provided by the sub-recipient to the State?

Yes, this requirement will be included in the quarterly report to the State.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

O&M Fee Does the proposed O&M fee include non-routine maintenance?

Yes, this fee should cover both routine and non-routine maintenance.

OSIT feels the risk for non-routine maintenance and relocation are minimized by utilizing the existing NV DOT ROW on these routes.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Exhibit D In Exhibit D, how were the costs complied? Was a feasibility study completed? If so, is the State able to provide it.

OSIT contracted with a third-party engineering vendor to do a feasibility and cost study for both the Eastern NV middle mile and the I-80 project.

This engineering firm worked closely with the Nevada Department of Transportation. The engineering firm used prevailing wage rates to calculate cost estimates.

All information from the feasibility study including the detailed budget was included in the RFP.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Exhibit D In Exhibit D, what is the expectation of who provides the "in-kind" items in the scope?

The State will provide the in-kind items. OSIT included them in the proposed budget in Exhibit D so that prospective bidders would understand the level of support they could expect on the project from the State.

CCAMPBELL@ONETELGEM.

COM

Land acquisition Will Nevada State and it's partners secure the land required to install the ILA's? Or will the Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner be responsible for the land acquisition?

If the prospective Fiber Construction and Marketing Partner indicates a need for private land for ILA locations in their due diligence, the prospective Fiber Construction and Marketing Partner should include these costs in their proposed budget.

38 ECCTEC2023 General

1. Do the fiber design and construction, and fiber sales, both have to be submitted or can we bid on just one or the other?

2. Does the Nevada group have funding set aside to build co-location facilities or is that expected to be customer/sales funded?

3. Are there any restricted groups that will not be commissioned?

4. Are there any carries/service providers/ enterprise customers that have already been sold or given fiber on these routes via the grant application or matching funds?

5. Will Nevada be willing to build off of this network to get to an end customer location?

6. Are there any funds set aside for builds to end customer locations?

a. If so, will the customer have to fund 100% of that cost up front or can it be amortized?

1) Both must be submitted

2) The construction of co-location facilities was included in the feasibility study for the projects and were included in the budget proposed to the US Treasury for the I-80 project and the NTIA for the Eastern Nevada Middle Mile.

3) OSIT does not understand this question

4) No. OSIT has had expressions of interest in leasing fiber on the routes from third party providers but is waiting on the selection of the Fiber Marketing and Construction partner to pursue these leads. Several letters of support were included in both the justification to Treasury for investment in the I-80 route and in the application for NTIA Middle Mile Grant funds.

5) OSIT’s primary goal is that every Nevadan has access to a high-speed internet connection that is affordable, reliable, and scalable. This network is an important part of that goal and building off this network to reach end customer locations is something OSIT expects to happen through various means. This project and its funding, however, is only tied to the construction of the middle mile network.

6) OSIT’s primary goal is that every Nevadan has access to a high-speed internet connection that is affordable, reliable, and scalable. This network is an important part of that goal and building off this network to reach end customer locations is something OSIT expects to happen through various means. This project and its funding, however, is only tied to the construction of the middle mile network.

Bid Q&A for Export Report