NoaNet_IFB_2026-016_Fiber_Optic_Line_Extension_Service_Drop___Restoration_Services.pdf

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INVITATION FOR BID (IFB)

NoaNet_IFB_2026-016

Unit-Priced Contract Fiber Optic Line Extension, Service Drops & Restoration Services

Issuing Agency: Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) Issuing Department: NoaNet Outside Plant Department Bid Publish Date: August 28th, 2026 - 8:00 AM PDT Bid Questions Deadline: September 4th, 2026 - 3:00 PM PDT Bid Answers Posted: September 8th, 2026 Bid Submittals Deadline: September 11th, 2026 - 3:00 PM PDT Bid Opening Date: September 11th, 2026

Submission Contact:

Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) ATTN: Rob Goede - Outside Plant Manager 11707 E Sprague Ave Suite 201 Spokane Valley, WA 99206 Email: contractmanagement@noanet.net Electronic Submission (Required): NoaNet_IFB_2026-016_Bid_Submittals

Notice to Bidders:

This Invitation for Bid is issued in accordance with the Washington public works process and is procured as a unit-priced contract pursuant to RCW 54.04.070(8). Plans and specifications are on file and open to public inspection and may be obtained at https://www.noanet.net/about/bidding-opportunities/. NoaNet reserves the right to reject any or all bids and to waive informalities.

Prevailing wages apply pursuant to chapter 39.12 RCW. Questions must be submitted in writing to contractmanagement@noanet.net by the questions deadline; only written answers issued by NoaNet are binding.

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1.0 OVERVIEW

NoaNet is seeking to establish a Unit Priced Contract with one or more qualified contractors to perform recurring fiber optic outside plant (OSP) construction, line extension, and emergency restoration services across the NoaNet service territory regions in Washingtons State and parts of Oregon. This IFB is issued under the authority of RCW 54.04.070(8), which allows districts to procure public works through a unit priced contract for anticipated, recurring work based on hourly rates or unit pricing across one or more categories or trades.

NoaNet anticipates awarding contract(s) to the lowest responsible bidder(s) by category, consistent with RCW 39.04.010 and RCW 39.04.350, and may award Primary and Secondary contractors per region. Pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act (RCW 39.34), this solicitation and the resulting unit-priced contract(s) are intended to be available for use by NoaNet and its participating member Public Utility Districts (PUDs). Estimated volumes include anticipated work across these participating networks. Estimated quantities in Exhibit D are used solely as a mathematical weighting model for ranking purposes and do not constitute a volume commitment.

2.0 BACKGROUND

NoaNet is a public-benefit telecommunications organization that supplies solutions and resources for all aspects of broadband and telecom projects to serve Washington State. We are owned by rural Public Utility Districts, which are not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that provide electricity, water, sewer, and wholesale telecommunications services to customers across Washington State. This structure enables NoaNet to expand broadband access to underserved rural communities, fostering economic development and improving digital connectivity in regions that may otherwise lack adequate infrastructure.

3.0 KEY DEFINITIONS

Responsive Bid: A bid that includes all mandatory submittals and a complete, firm unit-price schedule for every line item on each region tab the bidder elects to bid, submitted in the required format by the deadline.

Responsible Bidder: A bidder that meets the criteria of RCW 39.04.350 and IFB Section 7.0.

Total Bid Price: The sum of (Unit Price × Estimated Quantity) for all line items on a completed region tab, used solely for evaluation ranking.

Primary / Secondary Contractor: The first- and second-ranked responsive and responsible awardees for a region, for purposes of capacity and emergency dispatch.

4.0 CONTRACT STRUCTURE & GOVERNANCE

Contracts awarded under this IFB will be unit-priced public works contracts under RCW 54.04.070(8). The initial term is three (3) years, with an option for NoaNet to extend for one (1) additional year. The single task-order / work-order limit is One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000). Any single project estimated to exceed this threshold will be procured separately.

Work will be authorized by individual work orders or task authorizations issued by NoaNet. There is no guaranteed minimum volume of work. Prevailing wage rates in eƯect at the beginning of each contract year apply and must be updated annually. Intents and aƯidavits for prevailing wages paid must be submitted annually for all work completed within the prior 12-month period.

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5.0 EMERGENCY / RESTORATION RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS

Contractor(s) awarded Category 1 (Call-Out Emergency Restoration Units) must maintain 24/7/365 on-call capability and be capable of mobilizing a qualified restoration crew within one (1) hour of notification, with an estimated restoral target of four (4) hours from notification, for storm damage, cable cuts, dig-ins, or other service-aƯecting fiber outages.

Notification & Clock Start: The response clock begins when notification is issued by the NoaNet OSP Engineer or Network Operations Center (NOC) by phone or electronic dispatch to the Contractor’s designated 24-hour emergency point of contact. Contractor must provide a current on-call contact roster (primary and backup) at contract execution and update it within 24 hours of any change.

Mobilization (1 Hour): Within one hour of notification, Contractor must confirm receipt, dispatch a crew with equipment and materials appropriate to the reported fault type, and provide an estimated time of arrival on-site.

Restoral Target (4 Hours): The four-hour restoral window is an estimated target for planning and performance tracking, not a guaranteed outcome. Actual restoral time may vary based on location, accessibility, weather, damage extent, and third-party coordination. Contractor must notify NoaNet immediately if field conditions indicate the target will not be met, with a revised estimate.

Hourly Status Updates: Contractor will notify the NOC at least every 60 minutes from dispatch until service is restored, providing status, root cause (confirmed or suspected), temporary vs.

permanent repair status, revised ETA, and any additional resources or coordination needed.

Escalation: If restoral is not achieved within the estimated window, or if the outage aƯects critical backbone circuits, Contractor must escalate to a supervisor/foreman-level contact and increase update frequency as directed by the NOC.

Temporary Restoral: Where permanent repair cannot be completed within the restoral window, Contractor may implement a temporary splice, jumper, or aerial/buried repair to restore service, with permanent repair completed within five business days, subject to NoaNet approval.

Documentation: Within 48 hours of restoral, Contractor must submit a restoration report including cause of outage, work performed, OTDR results, as-builts, materials used, and updated splice records consistent with Exhibit F.

Declared Emergency / Force Majeure: During a formally declared emergency (state or county declaration, widespread storm, wildfire, earthquake, or other regional disaster aƯecting multiple service areas), the 1-hour mobilization and 4-hour restoral targets convert to a best-eƯorts standard. Contractor will not be considered in breach for missed targets during a declared emergency provided Contractor notifies the NOC as soon as practicable, provides a good-faith revised ETA and continues status updates, prioritizes work as directed by NoaNet, and resumes standard performance once the emergency is lifted or resources are no longer constrained.

Primary and Secondary Awards: NoaNet intends to award a Primary and Secondary Contractor per region. If the Primary lacks capacity or fails to meet mobilization/restoral targets, NoaNet may immediately route the emergency task order to the Secondary Contractor.

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6.0 SCOPE OF WORK - CATEGORIES

This IFB uses NoaNet’s unit-price category structure. Full unit codes, units of measure, and technical descriptions for every line item are provided in Exhibit D (Unit Price Schedule). Principal categories include:

Category 1 - Call-Out Emergency Restoration Units: Emergency-dispatched hourly rates (standard and overtime) for fiber splicer restoration (single- and two-person crews), aerial restoration crews, buried restoration crews, and lowboy/tractor-trailer transport.

Category 2 - Additional Unit Hours / Call-Out: One-time mobilization/call-out fee to dispatch a crew to a work location; requires prior NoaNet approval before dispatch.

Category 3 - Underground Units: Trenching and conduit placement (standard, deep, rock, hand trench, plow), directional boring (2”/4”, standard and rock), potholing, jack/push boring, concrete encasement, handhole/vault placement and relocation, surface restoration (asphalt, concrete), conduit rodding, fiber pulling/blowing, locate wire, ground rod/restoration.

Category 4 - Aerial Units: Pole transfers (straight, angle, dead-end), pole set/removal, banding, anchor placement (screw, plate, rock, expanding, sidewalk), guy placement, fiber lashing/de-lashing, ADSS relocation/placement, wind damper placement, wreck out, X-arm/fiberglass arm placement, riser install/transfer/removal, MST/terminal installation, tree trimming.

Category 5 - Fiber Splicing / OTDR Testing Units: New splice closure placement, closure re-entry and cable prep, splice-and-test by fiber count tier (1–12, 13–24, 25–48, 49+), ring cut/mid-entry prep, OTDR acceptance testing, after-hours MOP, aerial splice case lowering, splicer travel unit (>50 miles), patch panel installation.

Category 6 - MPOE Building Entrance Units: Building fiber cable placement (standard, attic, EMT), building EMT conduit placement, core drilling (wood, concrete), cell site cabinet installation.

Category 7 - Permitting/Make-Ready/Easement Units: Easement/consent acquisition, City/County/WSDOT/railroad ROW permits, traƯic control crew (standard and OT).

Category 8 - Engineering and Related Services: Utility pole data collection, field engineering/design/CAD by footage tier, OSP pre-fielding engineer and vehicle.

Category 9 - NoaNet-Provided Material: Fiber and misc. materials, including service drop fiber (flat drop cable).

Category 10 - Contractor-Provided Materials per NoaNet Requirements: Conduit, plugs, patch panels, backboards, splice cases, aerial storage, route markers, bollards, strand, pole line hardware, handholes, terminals, drop cable, per NoaNet specifications.

Category 11 - Contractor Cost-Plus-15% Items: Fiber characterization testing, new pole, FDH placement, bridge attachment, casing placement, and miscellaneous materials (receipt required).

Full unit codes, units of measure, and detailed technical descriptions for every line item above are provided in Exhibit D (Unit Price Schedule) and Exhibit D-1 (Unit Descriptions tab).

Contractor-Provided Materials — Limited Price Adjustment

Unit prices for labor, equipment, crew rates, and all non-material line items shall remain firm for the contract term, except as required by law (including annual prevailing-wage updates under RCW 54.04.070(8)(e) and chapter 39.12 RCW).

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For line items identified in Exhibit D as Contractor-Provided Materials only, the Contractor may request a prospective adjustment of the unit price if a documented material change in market cost has occurred after bid opening. Such a request is not a change in the Work and is not an entitlement.

Any adjustment:

Applies only to Contractor-Provided Materials line items (not labor, equipment, mobilization, or markups on NoaNet-furnished material);

Requires written request to NoaNet with supplier invoices or quotes showing the bid-time cost and the current cost, and the proposed revised unit price;

May be approved, modified, or denied by NoaNet in its sole discretion;

If approved, shall be documented in a written contract amendment or change order and applies only to work orders issued after the eƯective date of the amendment;

Shall operate upward or downward if market cost decreases;

Shall not be used to cure or reopen an incomplete or non-firm bid price.

NoaNet may require a minimum threshold (for example, a change of ten percent (10%) or more from the bid unit price) before considering a request. Nothing in this section guarantees volume of materials work or requires NoaNet to accept a requested increase.

7.0 BID SCHEDULE / UNIT PRICING (BIDDERS COMPLETE)

OƯicial Bid Schedule is Exhibit D - the Lateral Extension / Emergency Restoration Unit Price Workbook, organized into three regional tabs (Eastern, South Central, Southwest). Each tab contains the full unit-price line-item schedule.

Bidders must:

Complete the Unit Price column with a firm unit price for every line item on each region tab the bidder elects to bid.

Bid one, two, or all three regions. Pricing may diƯer by region. See Exhibit C (Service Area Map).

Submit the completed native Excel Exhibit D file(s). Scanned PDFs of pricing sheets will not be accepted for evaluation.

Ensure the spreadsheet calculates Total Bid Price automatically (Unit Price × Estimated Quantity). Estimated quantities are a hypothetical weighting model only and do not represent a commitment of work volume.

Mandatory Complete Pricing

Every priceable line item on a region tab that the bidder elects to bid must contain a firm numerical unit price. Blank cells, “TBD,” “N/A,” “Cost Plus,” “Cost + __%,” or any other non-firm entry is prohibited on the ranked schedule.

Consequence: If any priceable line item on a region tab is left blank or contains a non-firm entry, that region is non-responsive and will not be ranked or considered for award for that region. Other fully completed region tabs submitted by the same bidder may still be evaluated.

Cost-plus and allowance items have been removed from the ranked evaluation schedule. All items on Exhibit D require firm unit prices for evaluation purposes.

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8.0 BIDDER QUALIFICATIONS / RESPONSIBILITY CRITERIA

Per RCW 39.04.350 and this IFB, bidders must demonstrate:

Current Washington State contractor registration/license in good standing.

Minimum ten (10) years of experience performing comparable fiber optic OSP construction and/or restoration work.

Evidence of adequate equipment, personnel, and bonding capacity to perform the estimated volume of work.

Compliance with RCW 39.12 (prevailing wages) on prior public works contracts, with no unresolved violations.

References from at least five (5) comparable utility or telecommunications clients over the past ten years.

Proof of Labor & Industries (L&I) Prevailing Wage Training compliance or valid exemption.

A sworn statement (signed under penalty of perjury) that the bidder has not willfully violated any provision of Washington wage laws within the three-year period immediately preceding the bid solicitation date (RCW 39.04.350(2)).

If bidding categories involving work upon or adjacent to energized electrical facilities, proof of electrical facility construction/improvement prequalification pursuant to RCW 54.04.085, if applicable.

The bidder must not have been terminated for cause, defaulted, or received a formal notice of default/termination for non-performance on any public works or telecommunications contract within the three-year period immediately preceding the bid submittal deadline.

Note: If NoaNet later finds that the lowest bidder underperformed (late, over budget, or non-conforming) on a NoaNet or PUD project within the prior three years, NoaNet may award to the second-lowest bidder within 5% of the lowest bid, consistent with RCW 54.04.070.

9.0 PREVAILING WAGES

This is a public works contract subject to chapter 39.12 RCW. Contractor(s) must:

Pay no less than the prevailing rate of wage in eƯect at the start of each contract year.

Submit a Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages prior to starting work.

Submit an AƯidavit of Wages Paid annually for all work completed in the prior 12-month period, per RCW 54.04.070(8)(e).

Update prevailing wage rates annually for the life of the unit-priced contract.

Certified Payroll: A contractor, subcontractor, or employer shall file a copy of its certified payroll records using the Department of Labor & Industries online system at least once per month (RCW 39.12.120). Weekly certified payroll reports must be submitted electronically via the L&I Public Works portal prior to approval of any invoices.

10.0 INTENTS AND AFFIDAVITS (L&I)

Before NoaNet releases any payments under this contract, the Contractor and each subcontractor (regardless of tier) must file a "Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages" and have it approved by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I). An "AƯidavit of Wages Paid" must be filed and approved by L&I annually and prior to the release of any retained funds or final contract close-out.

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11.0 INSURANCE AND BONDING

Bid Security (Mandatory): Each bid shall be accompanied by a bid bond or certified/cashier’s check in an amount not less than five percent (5%) of the bidder’s calculated Total Bid Price for all regions being bid, consistent with RCW 54.04.080. The bid bond must be issued by a corporate surety licensed to do business in the State of Washington. Certified or cashier’s checks shall be payable to Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet). Failure to submit the required bid security with the bid package renders the bid non-responsive.

Payment and Performance Bonds: Upon award, the successful contractor(s) shall furnish payment and performance bonds in an amount fixed by NoaNet, not less than twenty-five percent (25%) of the estimated first-year contract value (and may be set up to 100%), consistent with RCW

54.04.080 and RCW 39.08. Bonds may be evaluated and, if warranted, renewed or reset annually against the following year’s estimated work-order volume.

Insurance: Contractor shall maintain, at minimum, commercial general liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 general aggregate), automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), workers’ compensation (statutory) with employer’s liability ($1,000,000), and umbrella/excess liability ($2,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate; increased to $5,000,000 for work orders involving excavation/directional boring within active roadways or work near high-value third-party facilities, at NoaNet’s discretion), per Exhibit B, naming NoaNet as additional insured on a primary and non-contributory basis. At bid time, bidders must submit either (1) a current Certificate of Insurance meeting Exhibit B requirements or (2) a binder/letter of intent from an insurer confirming ability to bind the required coverages upon award. Missing insurance documentation renders the bid non-responsive.

12.0 RIGHT-OF-WAY, PERMITTING, AND TRAFFIC CONTROL

NoaNet is responsible for and will obtain applicable right-of-way, encroachment, and Joint Use Attachment permits, along with traƯic control plans, for work within public rights-of-way, consistent with the Manual on Uniform TraƯic Control Devices (MUTCD) and local/state requirements. Contractor shall comply with all permit conditions and traƯic control requirements applicable to the work.

13.0 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Electronic submission is required. Optional hard-copy submission may accompany the electronic package but does not replace it. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Electronic Submission (Required)

Upload a complete bid package to the designated Box folder by the Bid Submittals Deadline. Folder link: NoaNet_IFB_2026-016_Bid_Submittals. File names should clearly identify the bidder and document type (e.g., “BidderName_ExhibitD_Eastern.xlsx”, “BidderName_ExhibitA.pdf”, “BidderName_BidBond.pdf”). The upload timestamp in Box is the oƯicial receipt time. Bidders are responsible for allowing adequate time for upload completion before the deadline.

Optional Hard Copy

If desired, a sealed hard-copy package marked “NoaNet_IFB_2026-016 – Fiber Optic Line Extension, Emergency Restoration & Service Drops” may be delivered to the Submission Contact

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Mandatory Contents of Bid Package

Each bid package must include all of the following. Missing any item renders the bid non-responsive:

Completed and signed Exhibit A - Contractor Bid Form, including acknowledgment of all addenda issued.

Completed native Excel Exhibit D Unit Price Worksheet for each region bid, with a firm unit price in every priceable cell (see Section 7).

Completed Service Drop pricing (Exhibit J spreadsheet) if bidding service drop work.

Bid bond or certified/cashier’s check equal to not less than 5% of the calculated Total Bid

Price for regions bid (Section 11).

Certificate of Insurance meeting Exhibit B, or binder/letter of intent to bind required coverages.

Washington contractor registration/license number (and evidence of good standing).

Minimum of five (5) client references for comparable utility/telecommunications OSP work in the past ten years.

Statement of Intent to Pay Prevailing Wages (draft/acknowledgment) and proof of L&I

Prevailing Wage Training compliance or exemption.

Non-collusion / wage-law sworn statement as required on Exhibit A (under penalty of perjury).

Names and specializations of all subcontractors performing work with an aggregate value of

$20,000 or more (Section 16).

Any other forms required by this IFB or District policy.

NoaNet may deem any incomplete, unsigned, or non-compliant bid non-responsive. Incomplete unit-price schedules and missing mandatory submittals cannot be cured after the bid deadline except for minor arithmetic corrections consistent with Washington public works practice.

14.0 EVALUATION AND AWARD

Award will be made by region and/or by category to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder(s) meeting the qualifications in Section 8, consistent with RCW 39.04.010 and RCW 39.04.350.

NoaNet intends to designate Primary and Secondary contractors per region for emergency restoration capacity.

NoaNet reserves the right to:

Award by individual region and/or category to diƯerent bidders.

Reject any or all bids, or any part of a bid.

Waive informalities or minor irregularities in bids.

Negotiate final terms with the apparent lowest responsive and responsible bidder(s) prior to execution, to the extent permitted by law.

Total Bid Price for ranking is calculated solely from firm unit prices submitted on complete region tabs. Regions with any blank or non-firm entries are non-responsive and excluded from ranking for that region.

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15.0 LEGAL AUTHORITY / GOVERNING PROVISIONS

RCW 54.04.070 - Contracts for work or materials; unit-priced contracts (subsection (8))

RCW 54.04.080 - Bid deposits/bonds; rejection of all bids

RCW 54.04.085 - Electrical facility construction/improvement requirements (if applicable)

RCW 39.04.010 - Lowest responsible bidder

RCW 39.04.350 - Bidder responsibility criteria

RCW 39.12 - Prevailing wages on public works

RCW 39.08 - Contractor’s bond

16.0 SUBCONTRACTORS

Subcontractor Disclosure: Each bidder shall submit, as part of their response, the names and specializations of all subcontractors performing work with an aggregate value of $20,000 or more.

Failure to do so will render the bid non-responsive.

Subcontractor Review: Upon request, the Contractor shall provide two copies of each subcontract. NoaNet reserves the right to reject the use of any subcontractor if NoaNet determines their participation may adversely aƯect project quality or performance.

Contractor Responsibility: Use of subcontractors does not relieve the Contractor of any obligations. The Contractor is fully responsible for the actions, omissions, and performance of all subcontractors and their employees.

17.0 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

NoaNet will issue a Notice of Award to the selected Contractor(s). Work shall not begin until a formal Notice to Proceed is issued. NoaNet will issue the Notice to Proceed after reviewing and approving all materials, schedules, and required documentation.

Bid Coordinator & Communication Protocol: All communication regarding this IFB must be directed in writing via email to the IFB Coordinator listed in the front matter of this document. Oral statements or verbal clarifications are not binding.

Only written statements issued by the IFB Coordinator may be relied upon. Contractors are responsible for monitoring email correspondence for addenda or clarifications.

18.0 BID WITHDRAWAL, CHANGES, ERRORS, AND REJECTION:

Bid Withdrawal or Modification: Contractors may withdraw or modify a submitted bid at any time prior to the submission deadline. Requests must be made in writing & signed by an authorized representative.

Errors in Bids: Claims of error will be considered only if submitted before the bid deadline. After the deadline, submitted bids are final.

Right to Reject Bids: NoaNet reserves the right to:

a) Reject any or all bids.

b) Waive informalities or technicalities.

c) Accept the bid deemed to be in the best interest of NoaNet.

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NoaNet may deem any incomplete, unsigned, or non-compliant bid as non-responsive.

19.0 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, including equal employment opportunity regulations, applicable labor laws, and safety requirements.

20.0 ATTACHED EXHIBITS

Exhibit A - Contractor Bid Form (bidders complete; includes addenda acknowledgment and mandatory checklist)

Exhibit B - Insurance Requirements

Exhibit C - NoaNet Service Area Map by Region

Exhibit D - Unit Price Workbook (native Excel; bidders complete Unit Price column for each region bid)

Exhibit E - NoaNet Construction Standards

Exhibit F - Splice Document Example

Exhibit G - Construction Print Example

Exhibit H - NoaNet OSP Contractor Workflow & Responsibilities Example

Exhibit I - Draft Unit-Priced Contract Agreement

Exhibit J - Service Drop Work Order Descriptions and Pricing Spreadsheet (native Excel)

— End of Invitation for Bid —

NoaNet_IFB_2026-016 | Northwest Open Access Network (NoaNet) Electronic submission required: NoaNet_IFB_2026-016_Bid_Submittals