26-60_May_11_26_solicitation_doc.pdf

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued by Norwich Public Utility on behalf of the City of Norwich, Connecticut, for fiber installation, splicing, troubleshooting, and repair services. The solicitation (Number 26-60) seeks qualified vendors to install fiber cable, splice closures, prepare cables and fibers for termination, and perform fusion splicing of single-mode fibers at multiple locations. Work will typically involve fiber-to-fiber splicing within splice closures and break-out boxes, with periodic splicing required at rack-mounted fiber patch panels. Norwich Public Utility will generally provide fiber materials, splice closures, and patch panels; however, vendors may be asked to assist in acquiring shorter lengths of 12-count, 48-count, or 144-count fiber and associated hardware as needed. The solicitation opened April 23, 2026, at 1:00 PM EDT with proposals due May 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM EDT. No bidders' conference or site visit dates are specified in the documentation. The contract will be awarded for an initial three-year term with an option to renew for two additional years at NPU's discretion, for a potential total term not exceeding five years.

Submission is required through the City of Norwich Procurement Portal, with no alternative submission methods accepted. Norwich Public Utility reserves the right to make multiple awards and may evaluate bids on factors beyond price alone, including consideration of any active or pending civil litigation between NPU and bidders. Vendors must demonstrate capability through references for similar work, maintain current insurance certificates, and comply with OSHA, federal, state, and local regulations. A Certificate of Good Standing from the Connecticut Secretary of State may be required. Connecticut state sales and use taxes are not applicable and must not be included in vendor pricing. No specific contract value, budget range, or estimated line-item quantities are disclosed. Payment terms are vendor-specified with Free On Board Destination delivery terms. Bidders are bound by a sixty-day withdrawal restriction from the bid opening date, and NPU explicitly reserves the right to reject any or all bids and award to other than the low bidder if deemed in the best interest of the city.