Amendment_8_5G_cellular_services_at_Camp_Randall_and_the_Kohl_Complexes.docx
DOCX document 32 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 2025-UWMSN-00801-RFP
- Issued by
- Dane County, Madison City, Wisconsin
About this file
Amendment #8 is a document from the University of Wisconsin-Madison related to a Request for Proposal (RFP #2025-UWMSN-00801-RFP) for 5G cellular services at Camp Randall and the Kohl Complexes. The amendment addresses 13 specific proposer questions regarding the deployment of a new 5G Neutral Host Network (NHN) system, with a focus on transitioning from the existing 4G system managed by Crown Castle. The RFP seeks a provider to implement a comprehensive 5G cellular infrastructure across targeted athletic venues, with proposers expected to demonstrate a phased transition strategy that ensures continuous mobile service. The proposal submission deadline remains April 11, 2025, with no extensions granted, and the University anticipates having the new network operational through a coordinated deployment approach.
The University currently has an agreement with Crown Castle running through 2033 but is seeking a third-party provider to deliver 5G services after Crown Castle could not meet requested service timelines. The document reveals that the University receives revenue through a fiber and node space use fee based on a revenue sharing model with Crown Castle. The new provider will be responsible for coordinating with mobile network operators (MNOs) to ensure a smooth transition between 4G and 5G layers, with minimal service disruption. While specific financial details are not fully disclosed, interested vendors can obtain additional information about the existing agreement through a public records request. The University emphasizes the need for a technically sound approach that supports parallel operations and maintains service continuity during the infrastructure transition.
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5G Cellular Services at Camp Randall and the Kohl Complexes 2025-UWMSN-00801-RFP Amendment #8
Amendment #8 serves to answer questions from proposers received by 2pm Tuesday April 22nd, 2025.
| Number |
| Questions |
| Answer |
| 1 |
| How will the University plan to proceed with the DAS replacement if 2 systems cannot operate simultaneously? |
| The University anticipates a phased transition strategy for the replacement of the DAS. The current 4G NHN system will remain operational in designated areas while the new 5G NHN system is deployed in a prioritized sequence across the target AOIs at Camp Randall and the Kohl Center/LaBahn Arena complexes. The University will coordinate closely with the selected Proposer and Crown Castle to manage decommissioning and ensure service continuity. Proposers are expected to outline a detailed, technically sound approach that supports parallel operations where necessary and avoids service disruption during the transition. |
This plan will prioritize uninterrupted service for all MNOs while ensuring timely removal of the existing system in a prioritized manner to facilitate installation of the 5G NHN system, while the 4G NHN system may be operating in other areas of the sporting complexes. The University expects Proposers to outline clear technical and logistical strategies to manage this transition while maintaining service continuity.
| 2 |
| Does the university understand that the wireless carriers will still need the 4G layer in addition to adding a 5G layer? |
| Yes, the University understands that depending on each MNO’s network readiness, a transitional phase may be required where 4G and 5G layers operate concurrently. The selected Proposer must demonstrate prior experience coordinating technical and deployment strategies with U.S. MNOs and provide a transition plan that ensures continuity of 4G service while progressively enabling 5G capabilities in a phased approach at the designated venues. The University expects this plan to accommodate infrastructure upgrades, testing, and readiness validation with the MNOs before traffic migration to the new full 5G NHN system. |
| 3 |
| Does the university have plans to terminate the Crown Agreement? |
| The University’s current agreement with Crown Castle runs through 2033. However, the University has exercised its contractual right to solicit 5G NHN services (additional services) from a third-party provider after Crown Castle was unable to deliver the additional services requested within the timeframe outlined in the agreement. While the broader campus agreement remains in place, the University intends to work collaboratively with Crown Castle to decommission the existing 4G NHN system specific to the targeted athletics venues. This will include the timely decommissioning and removal of the existing 4G NHN system at Camp Randall and the Kohl Center/LaBahn Arena to enable implementation and operation of a new 5G NHN system by the selected provider. |
| 4 |
| Would you extend the proposal submission deadline by two weeks? |
No
| 5 |
| With the additional round of questions, will there be another extension to RFP due date? |
No
| 6 |
| Can the University share a sample or form draft of the new DAS operator agreement/contract (between University and network operator)? |
No. The contract comprises of the terms/conditions stated in the RFP, the vendor’s response, and any other terms negotiated.
| 7 |
| Can the University confirm the existing network will be decommissioned by Crown Castle, and as such, decommissioning of existing network will be removed from the scope if this RFP? |
The University intends to work directly with Crown Castle to coordinate the decommissioning and removal of the existing 4G NHN system infrastructure at the designated athletic venues (Camp Randall Stadium, the Kohl Center, and LaBahn Arena) once a new 5G NHN provider is selected. However, the Proposer must still respond to the decommissioning section of the RFP to demonstrate awareness of site conditions, deployment constraints, and essential coordination requirements during the transition period. The University is seeking evidence that Proposers understand how their deployment planning will align with the removal of the current system and that their approach minimizes disruption to venue operations and end users. Refer to Section 3.5 in the RFP - Current 4G NHN Decommissioning and Transition to 5G to address the University’s requirements.
| 8 |
| Is the University receiving any revenue or sponsorship from either Crown Castle or the wireless carriers as part of the existing DAS network agreement? If so, how much goes to the University? |
The University receives fiber use and node space use fees according to a revenue share model based on revenues paid to Crown Castle by operators for RF transport revenue over the DAS per the existing agreement. The revenues vary based upon the above quarterly revenue share calculation. Specific details may be available via public records request.
| 9 |
| Is the University seeking to replace Crown Castle due to a network/service expectation not being met, or is there a contractual obligation that was not met? |
See response to question 3. The University has exercised its contractual right to solicit 5G NHN services (referred to as additional services in the University’s contract with Crown Castle) from a third-party provider after Crown Castle was unable to deliver the additional services requested within the timeframe outlined in the agreement.
| 10 |
| Will the University now share the existing agreement between University and Crown Castle for the existing DAS network? |
Proposers can obtain a copy of the Crown Castle agreement by filing a public records request at https://universityofwisconsin.mycusthelp.com/WEBAPP/_rs/
| 11 |
| Will the University provide updated expectations for when the new network should go live at the AOIs? The previous mention of the new network on-air by the start of 2025 football season at Camp Randall may not be possible given the timing of this RFP and subsequent evaluation, contracting timelines. |
The University seeks 5G NHN services at the Target Sporting Venues based on an actionable and pragmatic deployment plan. Specific details, including phased deployment approach and dates for 5G service activation, will be negotiated at time of contracting.
| 12 |
| If none of the existing network infrastructure is available for during the transition, is the University open to potential downtime between the transition from existing network to new DAS network? |
The University’s objective is to ensure continuous mobile service throughout the transition. While it recognizes that temporary interruptions may occur, the preference is to minimize disruptions during events at the Target Sporting Complexes. Furthermore, as outlined in the RFP Section 3.5 Current 4G NHN Decommissioning and Transition to 5G and Section 3.9 Staffing and Operations Support, the University expects Proposers to develop and propose transition strategies that minimize or eliminate downtime, including coordination with the University, MNOs and Crown Castle where necessary. Any potential service disruption must be clearly identified and mitigated in the Proposer’s deployment and transition plan.
| 13 |
| It's possible one of the shelters housing the carrier equipment will need to be expanded to house new DAS headend equipment, if provided the spacing needs/ requirements, will this shelter expansion work be the scope of the University? |
The University will collaborate with the awarded vendor to identify available space and define electrical and transport requirements. If expansion of an existing shelter or construction of new infrastructure is necessary to support the 5G NHN system, such activities would fall outside the scope of the 5G NHN system contract and must be coordinated independently.
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