Amendment 1.docx

SAP

State of South Carolina

Request for Proposal Amendment 1

Solicitation:

Date Issued:

Procurement Officer:

E-Mail Address:

Mailing Address:

5400023848 09/1/2022

KIMBER CRAIG

kcraig@mmo.sc.gov SFAA, Div. of Procurement Services PO Box 101103 Columbia SC 29201-3734

DESCRIPTION: Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (“BEAD”) Plan Development

USING GOVERNMENTAL UNIT: Office of Regulatory Staff

SUBMIT YOUR OFFER ON-LINE AT THE FOLLOWING URL: http://www.procurement.sc.gov

SUBMIT OFFER BY (Opening Date/Time): 09/13/2022 11:00:00 (See "Deadline For Submission Of Offer" provision)

QUESTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY: 08/30/2022 (See "Questions From Offerors" provision)

NUMBER OF COPIES TO BE SUBMITTED: Online Submission

CONFERENCE TYPE: Not Applicable

DATE & TIME:

(As appropriate, see "Conferences - Pre-Bid/Proposal" & "Site Visit" provisions) LOCATION: Not Applicable

You must submit a signed copy of this form with Your Offer. By signing, You agree to be bound by the terms of the Solicitation. You agree to hold Your Offer open for a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days after the Opening Date. (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

NAME OF OFFEROR

(full legal name of business submitting the offer) Any award issued will be issued to, and the contract will be formed with, the entity identified as the Offeror. The entity named as the offeror must be a single and distinct legal entity. Do not use the name of a branch office or a division of a larger entity if the branch or division is not a separate legal entity, i.e., a separate corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE

(Person must be authorized to submit binding offer to contract on behalf of Offeror.)

DATE SIGNED

TITLE

(business title of person signing above)

STATE VENDOR NO.

(Register to Obtain S.C. Vendor No. at www.procurement.sc.gov)

PRINTED NAME

(printed name of person signing above)

STATE OF INCORPORATION

(If you are a corporation, identify the state of incorporation.)

OFFEROR'S TYPE OF ENTITY: (Check one) (See "Signing Your Offer" provision.)

___ Sole Proprietorship ___ Partnership ___ Other_____________________________

___ Corporate entity (not tax-exempt) ___ Corporation (tax-exempt) ___ Government entity (federal, state, or local)

COVER PAGE - ON-LINE ONLY (MAR. 2015)

SAP

PAGE TWO

(Return Page Two with Your Offer) HOME OFFICE ADDRESS (Address for offeror's home office / principal place of business)

NOTICE ADDRESS (Address to which all procurement and contract related notices should be sent.) (See "Notice" clause)

_________________________________________________ Area Code - Number - Extension Facsimile

_________________________________________________ E-mail Address

PAYMENT ADDRESS (Address to which payments will be sent.) (See "Payment" clause)

____Payment Address same as Home Office Address ____Payment Address same as Notice Address (check only one) ORDER ADDRESS (Address to which purchase orders will be sent) (See "Purchase Orders and "Contract Documents" clauses)

____Order Address same as Home Office Address ____Order Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF AMENDMENTS

Offerors acknowledges receipt of amendments by indicating amendment number and its date of issue. (See "Amendments to Solicitation" Provision)

DISCOUNT FOR PROMPT PAYMENT

(See "Discount for Prompt Payment" clause)

PREFERENCES - A NOTICE TO VENDORS (SEP. 2009): Preferences do not apply

PREFERENCES - ADDRESS AND PHONE OF IN-STATE OFFICE: Preferences do not apply

____In-State Office Address same as Home Office Address ____In-State Office Address same as Notice Address (check only one)

PAGE TWO (SEP 2009)

End of PAGE TWO

AMENDMENTS TO SOLICITATION (JAN 2004)

(a) The Solicitation may be amended at any time prior to opening. All actual and prospective Offerors should monitor the following web site for the issuance of Amendments: www.procurement.sc.gov(b) Offerors shall acknowledge receipt of any amendment to this solicitation (1) by signing and returning the amendment, (2) by identifying the amendment number and date in the space provided for this purpose on Page Two, (3) by letter, or (4) by submitting a bid that indicates in some way that the bidder received the amendment. (c) If this solicitation is amended, then all terms and conditions which are not modified remain unchanged. [02-2A005-1]

VENDOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is the State’s current budget amount for this project?

Answer: Budget information will not be shared during the procurement process.

1. Highlighted Item is 2023? MAXIMUM CONTRACT PERIOD - ESTIMATED (Modified) Start date: 10/15/2022 End date: 7/15/2022. Dates provided are estimates only. Any resulting contract will begin on the date specified in the notice of award.

Answer: Yes, the end date should read 7/15/2023.

1. The RFP indicates that for the consultant to participate in DEA planning is “optional” (page 14). How would a consultant indicate an intention to bid only on BEAD-related and not on DEA-related work? Is there a possibility that the state would award the BEAD consultancy work to one consultant and the DEA work to a different consultant, or none?

Answer: SCBBO requires one consultant that has the capability to simultaneously complete BEAD and DEA planning. In South Carolina, two different agencies - one for BEAD and one for DEA - will be working on the same Five-Year Broadband Plan. The final plan must be completed within the 270-day federal timeline.

1. The RFP indicates that the consultant should assist with the FCC map challenge process. Should the consultant plan to collect broadband data in order to have a factual basis for challenging the FCC?

Answer: The SC Broadband Office (SCBBO) already has the raw data it needs to participate in the FCC’s map challenge process.

1. The RFP says the consultant should “review and advise the CPF plan to be submitted to US Treasury.” However, the deadline for CPF plans is 9/24, while the due date for RFP proposals is 9/13. Do you expect to select and contract a consultant in time for the consultant to review and advise on the CPF plan before the submittal deadline?

Answer: The requirement to review and advise on the CPF plan may or may not be required. The SCBBO will submit its CPF plan before the September 24th, 2022, deadline; however, SCBBO is expecting multiple rounds of curing before it is approved by the US Treasury. Therefore, the consultant may be asked to participate in curing rounds until final approval is received.

1. What time period do you have in mind for Phase 1 of the consultancy?

Answer: Due to federal requirements, Phase 1 must complete within 270 days.

1. What time period do you have in mind for Phase 2 of the consultancy?

Answer: Same as #6.

1. Do you think the “active outreach” described in the last paragraph on page 14 can reasonably be performed remotely or virtually, or will it require physical presence in South Carolina?

Answer: Active outreach will require physical presence in South Carolina.

1. The Timeline on page 20 lists May 1, 2023, as the deadline to submit the state’s Final Initial Proposal to the NTIA. The NTIA, however, has not announced a deadline for the submission of the Initial Proposal, and a chart in an NTIA webinar suggested a due date in fall 2023. Will SCBBO adjust the deadline for this deliverable if the NTIA sets a deadline for the Initial Proposal later than May 1, 2023?

Answer: Completion dates in the solicitation will need to adjust to federal requirements as they are modified.

1. When does the SCBBO anticipate receiving BEAD planning funds?

9. If the money is received by 10/16 and the 270-day timer begins, does the May 1 completion date still take precedent?

Answer: The SCBBO cannot predict when funds will be received; however, NTIA did ask all BEAD Planning applicants to assume October 1, 2022, as the date when funds will be dispersed. Completion dates in this solicitation will need to adjust to federal requirements as they are modified.

1. Would the SCBBO be interested in address level services for the following to fulfill this RFP?

10. Inventory

0. A detailed inventory and GIS database which identifies broadband infrastructure to the address level across the state.

10. Broadband Availability and Adoption Toolset

1. Address-level resident and business feedback in an interactive survey tool

1. The goal would be to get as many respondents as possible to fill out the survey to understand the barriers to availability and adoption within the state

1. A speed test component would be utilized as well

10. Our concern is there may not be enough time to accommodate all requirements in the designated time frame. We would encourage the SCBBO to consider an award to 2 consulting teams and divide work appropriately.

Answer: No for all items in this multi-part question.

1. Page 5, Maximum Contract period (Estimated) reads: “Start date: 10/15/2022 End date: 7/15/2022. Dates provided are estimates only. Any resulting contract will begin on the date specified in the notice of award.” Could the state please clarify estimated contract duration/period of performance?

Answer: Same as #2.

1. The Deliverable for Task A, listed on page 17 is “A new version of the South Carolina Broadband Plan…” Where can the current South Carolina Broadband Plan be accessed?

Answer: South Carolina does not have a current Broadband Plan.

1. The pricing sheet asks for a “unit Price” and an “Extended Price”. What is expected for “Extended Price” entries?

Answer: For professional services line items, set the Quantity to 1 and then simply set the Unit Price and Extended Price to the same value.

1. On page 3, the RFP says, “Start date: 10/15/2022 End date: 7/15/2022. Dates provided are estimates only. Any resulting contract will begin on the date specified in the notice of award.” The end date is earlier than the start date. What performance period for the contract was intended here?

Answer: Same as #2.

1. On page 16, the RFP says, “Phase 1 - E. Create a five-year action plan along with initial and final proposals to be compliant with the BEAD program.” But further down on the same page, it says, “Phase 2 – B. Assist the SCBBO with the Initial Proposal for NTIA BEAD Grant Funding.” This left us uncertain how large a role the consultant should play (“create” vs. “assist”) and how far into the BEAD process the consultancy should extend (“initial” vs. “final” proposal). Does the performance period including supporting grant implementation through the submission of the final proposal or some other milestone?

Answer: For this engagement, contractor should assume that the performance period includes the BEAD Initial Proposal only.

1. On page 17, under “Task D. Key Activities,” the key activities do not specify developing cost estimates for universal broadband coverage at 100/20, although this is a requirement for BEAD 5-Year Action Plans and we deem that it will involve a high level of effort. Does the State expect this activity to be part of the scope of work for this RFP?

Answer: Yes. For this engagement, contractor should assume a primary role in all federally required elements of BEAD and DEA planning.

1. Due to the upcoming Labor Day holiday, will you consider postponing the RFP due date by one week to allow proposers to submit the most robust responses as possible?

Answer: No. Due to the tight federal timeline for BEAD and DEA planning, the SCBBO is unable to extend the RFP due date.

1. We understand that the State likely expects to receive $5M in BEAD planning funds and $1.5M in Digital Equity planning fund from the NTIA, exactly for some the tasks requested in the RFP. Can you indicate what share of these funds you expect to be available to the selected vendor versus retained in-house by SCBBO/ORS?

Answer: Budget information will not be shared during the procurement process.

1. In addition to submitting our RFP response via the procurement portal, can you provide clarification on the preferred method for submission? Is email sufficient, and if so, to whom should we email the submission?

Answer: RFP responses should be submitted on-line at the following link - https://procurement.sc.gov/doing-biz/submitting-offers#ditem-1846. Click the option for Electronic Bid Submission (SRM Login). If you are unable to submit online, hard copy offers may be delivered to SFAA - Procurement Services Division, 1201 Main Street, Suite 600, Columbia, SC 29201. All offers must be received no later than the deadline on the cover page. E-mail offers will not be accepted.

1. Regarding Task A, the evaluation of SC’s Broadband Strategy … Can you provide a list and description of the existing materials already developed or to be provided by SCBO, as this will be required inform the level of effort and fixed pricing for this task? Can you describe the specific additional contributions that you expect the provider to conduct to perform this Task A?

Please describe how the output of this task will be used?

a. Determine where BEAD versus other Federal and State funds will be deployed, based on needs and other programs?

b. Determine how BEAD funds will be deployed, i.e. establish program parameters and guidelines?

This will be helpful in shaping our pricing as a. may require us to conduct a mapping analysis and b. may require us to dig into SC statutes for various programs.

Answer: Here is a partial list of materials which SCBBO will make available to contractor:

· Complete grant documents from all previous funding rounds via www.ors.sc.gov/broadband

· Extensive mapping analysis via www.scdigitaldrive.org

· Internal planning documents for ARPA SLFRF and ARPA CPF deployments

1. Regarding Task C, the SCBBO’s CPF Plan … Is the plan being developed independently of the offerer’s scope of work in the RFP, or will it be developed in concert? If independent, can you provide the plan? If in concert, can you describe the collaboration and level of effort expected from the provider?

The CPF submission is due to US Treasury on September 24th, 2022. Do you anticipate the service provider to be contracted on time to meet this deadline, or are you looking at a different timeline?

Answer: Same as #5.

1. Regarding Task C, the SCBBO’s CPF Plan … Are there specific metrics or KPIs the office is looking to measure, and, if so, can you please provide? Is there a database or geo-mapping system available in the state that characterizes communities along these metrics?

Answer: The key metrics for the SCBBO’s CPF plan are being developed in coordination with US Treasury reporting requirements. As for mapping capabilities, the SCBBO utilizes Esri ArcGIS and has a very experienced internal team.

1. Regarding Task D, the SCBBO’s Five Year Plan in conjunction with broadband expansion … Has SCBBO developed these strategic goals? If so, can it please share? If not, can you describe the expected role and level of effort from the provider in developing these goals.

Please describe what will be the relative role of vendor and the office in interacting with NTIA in soliciting feedback and finalizing the plan?

Answer: The SCBBO expects that the Five-Year Planning process will develop and crystalize the strategic goals for South Carolina. The SCBBO will lead all dialog with NTIA and include vendor in soliciting feedback and finalizing the BEAD Initial Proposal.

1. Can the office share existing software, applications, or programs it currently uses for compliance, to help understand the level of effort in developing a compliance roadmap relevant to the resources currently in use for compliance?

Answer: The SCBBO utilizes Esri ArcGIS in combination with Ookla Speedtest Intelligence, quarterly reporting, and field visits to verify construction progress of all funded projects. In addition, the SCBBO finance team has extensive audit experience to review expenses that are submitted for reimbursement.

1. Does the office anticipate utilizing the selected vendor for future compliance tasks beyond the duration of this RFP for ongoing compliance over the next 5 years?

Answer: The SCBBO cannot comment on future work at this time.

1. Will SCBBO assist with securing locations for engagement meetings, or is the expectation Offeror will reserve and secure meeting spaces?

Answer: The SCBBO has budgeted for a separate vendor to assist with BEAD and DEA meeting locations and site rental fees.

1. Can you clarify how the existing maps (Mapping and Data | Office of Regulatory Staff (sc.gov)) will factor into the analysis of the FCC maps? Can you share how the existing maps were created, their level of granularity, and the key data that they encompass? Can you share any insight that you have on the congruence or gaps of your data fabric with that to be published by the FCC, based on the conversations that you likely may have had with the FCC?

Answer: The SCBBO cannot provide a detailed mapping discussion at this time; however, current maps (www.scdigitaldrive.org) are based on Census 2020 block-level information combined with FCC Form 477 Deployment/Subscription (Dec. 31, 2021) and over 9 million Ookla Speedtest Intelligence records. ISP data is required and reported directly to our office every six months, in lock step with FCC filing requirements.

The SCBBO has a license in place for the FCC BSLF and is in the beginning phase of evaluating the congruence of the fabric to our maps. No results of our analysis are currently available.

1. Can the office share in which office the “separate program director” will be located?

Are we correct in understanding that the “separate program director” will develop the State’s digital equity plan, but that it will be the role of the consultant to make that plan congruent with NTIA requirements for Digital Equity funding, and also congruent with NTIA requirements for BEAD / DE coordination?

Answer: No, we cannot provide details regarding SC’s Digital Equity plans.

1. Please describe if the plan is solely for submission to NTIA or whether a more comprehensive, internal State plan must also be developed.

Please describe if the key external documents supporting a state plan (Rules, NOFOs, application documents, guidance documents, evaluation criteria, grant agreements) and the key internal documents (e.g., evaluation process guidelines, other process guidelines) must also be defined as part of this task.

Answer: As part of this BEAD and DEA planning contract, the SCBBO expects to have one plan which will satisfy the needs of multiple sets of stakeholders. The SCBBO expects contractor to review all existing materials and make recommendations as appropriate. The SCBBO has already been through multiple grant rounds so we are not starting from scratch.

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