B-50657 Vendor Questions Answer 2-3-2026.docx
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- Attached to
- REBID Fiber Construction Services - North Region
- Solicitation number
- 26-448DOIT-ADMIN-B-50657
- Issued by
- Illinois
About this file
This is a Vendor Questions and Answers addendum issued by the State of Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) for BidBuy #26-448DOIT-ADMIN-B-50657, a Fiber Construction Services project for the North Region. The addendum addresses certification requirements for field personnel, specifically clarifying acceptable alternatives to the BICSI Installer 1 or 2 certification initially specified in the Invitation for Bid (IFB) section 1.4.1(B). The document was published on February 3, 2026, in response to vendor inquiries received on January 27, 2026.
The agency response establishes multiple pathways for meeting installer certification requirements beyond the originally specified BICSI credentials. Acceptable alternatives include Fiber Optic Association (FOA) certifications such as CFOT and CFOS designations; ETA International certifications including Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT) and Certified Fiber Optics Installer (FOI); certifications from the Electrical Training Alliance for cable splicing; Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) broadband installer credentials; and vendor-specific manufacturer certifications from companies such as Corning and Panduit. The agency also accepts training and certifications in Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) and fusion splicer operation with a minimum of two years of hands-on experience with each equipment type as qualifying credentials for personnel on this project.
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Nnovsation JB PRITZKER Governor
Brandon Ragle Acting Secretary/ State CIO
STATE OF ILLINOIS
Department of innovation and technology
DoIT.illinois.gov
Vendor Question & Answers REBID Fiber Construction Services - North Region BidBuy # 26-448DOIT-ADMIN-B-50657
DoIT is publishing an addendum to BidBuy 26-448DOIT-ADMIN-B-50657 entitled “Vendor Questions & Answer 2/3/2026” based on questions received from potential offerors and answers provided by the agency.
| Q# |
| Date Logged |
| Vendor Question |
| Agency Response |
Amendment 1 Vendor Question & Answer 2/3/2026
| 1. |
| 1/27/2026 |
| Per IFB section 1.4.1 (B) BICSI Installer 1 or 2 or Equivalent Certificate, is the BICSI required or what would qualify for equivalent? Does industry experience qualify? |
| The following would be acceptable BICSI Installer 1 or 2 Equivalent Certificates of Industry Experience: |
Telecommunications & Cabling – Installation Focus The Fiber Optic Association (FOA) Certifications
· Globally recognized certifications focused on fiber optics and cabling technologies.
· CFOT® (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) – A broad certification covering fiber optic installation, testing, and troubleshooting.
· CFOS/O – Certified Fiber Optic Specialist, Outside Plant – Focused on outside plant fiber installations — arguably the closest match for field cabling work.
· Other CFOS designations (splicing, testing, connectors) allow specialization.
Employers often accept FOA CFOT + CFOS specialties for fiber installer roles in place of BICSI Installer 2 (Optical Fiber).
ETA International Certifications ETA is a major certifying body for electronics and telecom installers.
· Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT) – Covers installation of copper, fiber and wireless cabling in premises environments (similar scope to BICSI Installer 1).
· Certified Fiber Optics Installer / Technician (FOI / FOTC) – Practical certification for hands-on fiber installation skills.
· Telecommunications (TCM) – Broader telecom certification that spans cabling and network fundamentals.
ETA certs are often recognized by contractors and owners as evidence of practical installation ability, sometimes in lieu of BICSI’s Installer certifications.
Other Industry Certifications
· Electrical Training Alliance — Cable Splicing Certification – For technicians performing splicing work in FTTx and OSP contexts.
· Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) certifications (e.g., Broadband Premises Installer) — relevant for cable broadband and outside plant fields.
· Vendor/Manufacturer Certifications (e.g., Corning, Panduit, etc.) — Product-specific installation credentials that many project specs will accept or require alongside a basic industry certification.
Training and/or Certifications for OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer) and Fusion Splicers are also acceptable with a minimum of 2 years experience with each of those equipment types.
120 West Jefferson Street, Springfield, Illinois 62702 image1.png
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