Broadband Public Private Partnership RFI_Town of Frisco.pdf

Request for Information (RFI)

Public-Private Partnership for Broadband Infrastructure Deployment in the Town of Frisco, Colorado

Release Date: May 9, 2025

Submittal Deadline: May 23, 2025, 5:00 PM

Public Works Town of Frisco

102 School Road Frisco, CO 80443

1. Introduction and Purpose

The Town of Frisco is seeking expressions of interest from qualified Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or network infrastructure firms interested in the use of Town-owned fiber optic network infrastructure to expand broadband service to Frisco businesses and residents. The RFP objective is to identify a partner in a Public-Private Partnership (P3) to build and operate a Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) network. This network would seek to serve as many addresses as possible in Frisco—residences, businesses, municipal facilities, and community anchor institutions—with high-speed, future-proof and symmetrical broadband. Frisco is exploring partnership models that encourage innovation, efficiency, and shared investment.

This RFI is not a formal solicitation for proposals but is intended to inform the Town’s next steps, including a possible Request for Proposals (RFP) or direct negotiations. However, the Town may decide to enter into direct negotiations with the respondent(s) of its choice or may decide not to pursue a partnership.

2. Background and Progress to Date

In 2024, the Town of Frisco commissioned a comprehensive Broadband Feasibility Study to assess the availability, performance, and affordability of existing broadband services, as well as to evaluate the Town’s options for delivering fiber-optic broadband to the Town and surrounding areas. The study, conducted by Bonfire Broadband, included:

• Market analysis of existing ISPs and broadband coverage.

• Community outreach, including surveys of residents and businesses.

• Gap assessment identifying speed, reliability, and cost concerns.

• High-level design cost modeling and deployment strategies.

• Evaluation of various business and ownership models, including Public-Private

Partnerships (P3s), open access, and municipal ownership.

The final report confirmed that while many residents have access to services meeting the FCC’s minimum standards (100/20 Mbps) from cable, copper, and fixed wireless incumbents, actual performance, reliability, and service quality fall short of community expectations. Survey results indicated widespread interest in switching providers and a strong desire for fiber-based, symmetrical gigabit services.

The study concluded that a Public-Private Partnership was the most feasible near-term option, given financial constraints and limited access to federal/state broadband grants (due to the Town’s “served” designation under FCC maps). Additionally, the study recommended the adoption of microtrenching specifications to reduce construction costs across Frisco’s rocky and variable terrain. The Town is open to exploring microtrenching and it should be considered in proposals. However, the Town’s current standards do not allow for microtrenching and the Town may decide not to allow microtrenching.

The full feasibility report is available to respondents of the RFI by request through emailing chrism@townoffrisco.com.

Phase 1A – Municipal Facilities Network (Target: 2025 Completion)

The Town has budget approval for this Phase and expects to complete construction in 2025. This phase focuses on building a lit fiber network to connect key Town facilities (listed below) through a Town-owned network connecting to Project THOR. Bonfire has completed a low-level engineering design for this phase, leveraging existing Town rights-of-way and utility corridors, with future expansion and lateral connectivity available. The Town is currently evaluating RFP responses from construction partners to construct this phase of the network and expects to proceed to construction in June 2025.

1. Town Hall (275 Main St.)

2. Public Works Facility (102 School Rd.)

3. Peninsula Recreation Area Maintenance Facility (616 Recreation Way)

4. Frisco Community Center (110 3rd Ave)

5. Marina Office (267 Marina Rd.)

6. Frisco Historic Park & Museum (120 Main St.)

7. First and Main Information Center (100 Main St)

8. Frisco Information Center (300 Main St)

9. Nordic Center (616 Recreation Way)

10. Slopeside Hall (605 Recreation Way)

11. Water Tank- (West of I-70, W Main Street)

12. Water Plant- (West of I-70, W Main Street) mailto:chrism@townoffrisco.com

Phase 1A – Municipal Facilities Fiber Network: Low Level Design Overview

3. Scope beyond Phase 1A

Phases 2–4 – Townwide FTTP Network

This phase would expand the core network to approximately 4,100 residential and commercial addresses within Town limits. The design reflects the Town’s commitment to equitable broadband access and includes options for varying underground construction methods. Estimated construction costs for these phases are $8.9 million, inclusive of drop capex during the construction period, but before adders.

Phases 5-8 – FTTP Network including the Broader Community

The feasibility study also considered the viability of extending an FTTP Network beyond the Town’s boundaries, to cover an additional 1,500 addresses adjacent to the Town.

Estimated construction costs for these phases are $5.5 million, inclusive of drop capex during the construction period, but before adders.

See below for both the geographical phasing for the builds described above and a detailed breakdown of unit types passed.

Estimated Unit Counts by Home Type

Building Type Phase 2-4 Phase 5-8 Total Short Term Rentals 900 348 1,248

Second Homes 1,235 491 1,726 Primary Homes 1,497 604 2,101

Total Residential Units 3,632 1,443 5,075 Business Units 453 50 503

Enterprise Units 12 1 13 Total Units 4,097 1,494 5,591

Single Family Unit, any designation 1,125 459 1,584 Multi Dwelling/Tenant Unit, any designation 2,960 1,047 4,007

Total Units 4,097 1,494 5,591

4. Partnership Expectations and Town Contributions

The Town seeks an innovative, equitable, and scalable partnership. In support of the effort, Frisco is prepared to offer:

• Permitting Assistance: Streamlined permitting and dedicated Town staff support.

• Marketing Support: Joint outreach and promotion to accelerate adoption.

• Infrastructure Coordination: Collaboration with utilities and other Town-led capital projects, including the Town’s Phase 1A project, to reduce construction conflicts.

• Colocation Collaboration: The Town is open to providing colocation space at 616 Recreation Way or through providing other Town property for a private meet me center or data center.

The Town is open to a range of P3 models and encourages respondents to put forth all options and possibilities so that the Town may effectively engage with potential solutions.

5. Requested Information from Respondents

Please provide the following information in your RFI response.

A. Contact and Organizational Information

• Name, address, and contact information of the respondent.

• Legal structure, years in business, and leadership bios.

• Overview of your broadband and network development experience.

B. Technical and Operational Vision

• Approach to a townwide FTTP deployment (Phases 2–4), and the broader community (Phases 2–8) if desired. If respondents do not deem townwide coverage to be feasible, provide an approach for determination of a build plan to maximize fiber coverage to Frisco residents.

• Approach to leveraging Phase 1A (internal Town network).

• Approach to meeting other Town goals such as improved cell phone coverage and service (issues during busy visitation times), Town public Wi-Fi, smart infrastructure and government applications, economic development, and other advanced internet solutions.

• Timeline for deployment of network infrastructure.

• Network architecture, technology platform(s), and upgrade path (e.g., XGS-PON, 50G-PON).

• Approach to long term sustainability, maintenance, and customer support.

C. Business Model and Financial Considerations

• Preferred Public Private Partnership model and investment structure, including responsibilities and requirements of the Town.

• Proposed cost-sharing, revenue-sharing, or lease arrangements.

• Funding sources or financing approaches (e.g., private equity, grants).

D. Customer Offerings and Digital Inclusion

• Proposed speed tiers and service offerings (with symmetrical gigabit options) and associated pricing.

• Participation in existing and future affordability programs.

• Strategies for serving low-income or hard-to-reach customers.

• Potential support for anchor institutions (schools, medical, etc.).

E. Qualifications and References

• List experience and references of either public private partnerships or private networks which have been developed or managed by provider.

• Provide relevant network details.

• Experience in Colorado, particularly mountain communities, should be included.

F. Additional Considerations

• Potential for open-access or wholesale network elements.

• Past P3 experience and references.

• Any additional assets (e.g., conduit, existing infrastructure) in Frisco or Summit

County.

• Innovative approaches to design, deployment, and adoption of services.

• Experience working in Frisco, Summit County, or similar types of regions.

6. Submission Instructions and Timeline

All questions concerning this RFP must be submitted by email to Chris McGinnis, Frisco Public Works Director/Town Engineer, at chrism@townoffrisco.com by 5:00 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Addenda, reports, and responses to questions will be distributed by Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically in PDF format to:

Chris McGinnis, chrism@townoffrisco.com Subject: “Frisco Broadband P3 RFI Response – [Respondent Name]”

Deadline for Submission: May 23, 2025, 5:00 pm

The Town may request follow-up meetings with selected respondents to explore partnership models and discuss potential next steps, including issuance of an RFP or direct negotiation.

7. Disclaimers and Conditions

This RFI is not a formal procurement and does not obligate the Town to enter any contract.

Frisco reserves the right to accept or reject any response, or to discontinue the process at any time.