Summary: Request for Proposal - Broadband Technical Consulting Services

This is an Agency Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the West Virginia Division of Economic Development (WVDED), Office of Broadband, seeking consulting services for broadband technical support and program management. The solicitation number is ARFP_DEV2600000002, issued October 28, 2025, with a bid closing deadline of November 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM EST. No pre-bid meeting is required. Vendor technical questions are due by November 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM EST. The contract is structured as an Agency Master Agreement for an initial term with up to five one-year renewal periods, contingent upon mutual written consent of the Agency and Vendor, with Attorney General approval as to form. The selected vendor will serve as the primary contracted support for oversight of subgrants and administration of broadband infrastructure programs funded through ARPA, BEAD, and other federal and state funding sources, supporting approximately 47 active ARPA-funded grant projects covering 42,000+ Target Addresses and 142 provisionally awarded BEAD projects covering 73,000+ Target Locations. The vendor will work within a multi-contractor environment alongside an engineering firm, a grants management system contractor, and a lead strategic professional consultant.

Pricing shall be submitted as a separate sealed cost proposal and must include a single blended hourly rate for all work performed, with any travel costs included in the quoted rate. The cost proposal should estimate 12,500 hours per year of services plus a flat annual rate for a common shared GIS platform. Annual rate adjustments are not permitted over the five-year term. The WVDED anticipates contract start within the first quarter of 2026. An incumbent technical services vendor exists; this RFP seeks similar services following the conclusion of the current vendor's contract term. Evaluation will be based on 70 technical points and 30 cost points, with a minimum acceptable technical score of 49 points required to advance to cost evaluation. Vendors must meet all mandatory requirements and qualifications, including documented experience managing federally funded broadband programs of comparable scope and complexity within the past three years, appropriate state licensing and good standing, compliance with federal funding requirements, and absence of conflicts of interest. Commercial General Liability Insurance of $1,000,000 is required.