RFP _ Walker County Broadband Study.pdf

Request for Proposals Broadband Services Study

Proposal Deadline: December 13, 2023, 3:00 p.m. EST

Introduction:

Walker County, GA is located in northwest Georgia, directly south of Chattanooga, TN. 68,915 people live in Walker County, according to the latest census data. Five cities are incorporated within Walker County: LaFayette, Rossville, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and a small portion of Fort Oglethrope.

Walker County Government is soliciting Proposals from qualified consultants to complete a Countywide Broadband Services Study. The selected consultant will assess available broadband and digital inclusion resources, explore broadband delivery methods and identify strategies for increasing broadband resources in Walker County.

Primary Objectives:

The objective of this Request for Proposals is to identify and select the most qualified consultant, or team of consultants, to provide the most up to date information about the current state of broadband access in Walker County, so that a strategic plan can be developed that will result in broadband deployment projects in needed areas and increased competition.

Walker County requires the following Plan elements for it to be considered strategic and valuable as a guiding document:

A. Collection of the most up-to-date internet service coverage data for the county, at a minimum, to include the following:

a. A list of Internet Service Providers (ISP) in Walker County, as well as ISPs operating just outside of county lines

b. A map of each ISPs coverage area within Walker County

c. Upload/download speeds for ISPs within Walker County (actual & advertised)

d. Type of infrastructure/technology used by each ISP in Walker County to provide broadband access

B. An assessment of geographic areas and/or communities unserved and underserved by broadband internet services in Walker County, including an examination of the nature/demographic of the unserved/underserved population.

Scope of Work:

The project should include extensive data collection and mapping to determine areas of adequate or ample service delivery and areas with service gaps or inequality. A comparison of published speeds of internet service providers and actual speeds realized by customers should be included, as well as methods of service delivery. The results of this report will assist in making recommendations as to where future infrastructure investments should be made and appropriate programs to target for funding to address digital equity.

Qualifications:

Consultant must demonstrate the ability and experience to perform the work described in this Proposal, ability to meet deadlines, as well as a working knowledge of telecommunications trends and broadband delivery methods.

Proposed Timeline:

A. November 13, 2023 - RFP issued

B. November 27, 2023 - Deadline to ask questions (5:00 p.m. EST) C. December 13, 2023 - Proposals due by 3:00 p.m. EST D. December 28, 2023 - Board of Commissioners reviews/selects consultant E. July 1, 2024 - First draft report due F. August 1, 2024 - Final draft report due

Schedule:

A proposed timeline and/or schedule of major project milestones should be included with an estimated completion date. Work can begin as early as December 29, 2023 but must be completed by August 1, 2024.

Cost Submittal:

Applicants must supply both a total cost submission quote for the entire project and an itemization of costs according to generalized tasks.

Submission Deadline:

Proposals will be accepted through December 13, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. EST. Proposals can be submitted by mail or email. Mailed submissions should be submitted to:

Walker County Government - Broadband Study ℅ Joe Legge 101 S Duke Street PO Box 445 LaFayette, GA 30728

Emailed submissions should be submitted in pdf format and sent as one zip file to clerk@walkerga.us with the subject “Proposal: Walker County Government - Broadband Study”.

Inquiries:

Send inquiries regarding this project by email to: j.legge@walkerga.us

Only inquiries received in writing will receive a response. All such written inquiries must be submitted by November 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. EST. Walker County will publish a response to all inquiries on its website at walkercountyga.gov/public-notices.

mailto:clerk@walkerga.us mailto:j.legge@walkerga.us

Submission Requirements:

1. Cover Sheet

2. Proposal Form

3. Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act Affidavit

4. References and/or examples of related experience

5. Conceptual Project Schedule or Gantt Chart

6. Signed IRS Form W-9

Contract Award:

Walker County Government is under no obligation to select a firm to contract with based solely upon lowest cost. All criteria will factor into the selection of the selected proposal. It is understood that a submitted proposal, if accepted by Walker County Government, is entered into solely for the convenience of Walker County and in no way precludes Walker County from obtaining like goods or services from other suppliers. Walker County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals for any reason, to waive technicalities, and to make an award deemed in its best interest.

Terms and Conditions:

1. Walker County Government is not liable for any expenses incurred by the proposers prior to execution of the contract, including research, travel and personnel costs.

2. In the event it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP prior to the deadline, additional information will be provided to any prospective proposers who received the initial RFP through the Georgia Procurement Registry or who requested the RFP directly.

3. The proposal price should include all labor, materials, freight and taxes, insurance, etc., to cover the finished work.

4. All Proposals and supporting materials as well as correspondence relating to this RFP become property of Walker County when received. Any proprietary information contained in the submittal should be so indicated. However, a general indication that the entire contents, or a major portion of the Proposal is proprietary will not be honored.

5. All applicable State of Georgia and federal laws, county ordinances, licenses and regulations of all agencies having jurisdiction shall apply to the Contractor and Project throughout and are hereby incorporated herein as if fully stated. This Contract and all questions concerning the execution, validity or invalidity, capability of the parties, and the performance of the Agreement, shall be interpreted in all respects in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia.

COVER SHEET

VENDOR INFORMATION FOR BIDDING IN WALKER COUNTY, GA

COMPANY NAME _____________________________________________________________

OWNER(S) NAME _____________________________________________________________

PHONE # __________________________ CELL PHONE # ____________________________

E-MAIL ______________________________________________________________________

PHYSICAL BUSINESS ADDRESS

MAILING ADDRESS ___________________________________________________________

● PLEASE PLACE PROPOSAL FEE FORM AS SECOND PAGE AFTER THIS

COVER SHEET

● PLEASE INCLUDE REFERENCES AND/OR EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS

WORKWITH YOUR SUBMISSION

● REMEMBER TO INCLUDE A PROJECT SCHEDULE ANDW-9

Signature of Contractor

Date

WALKER COUNTY PROPOSAL FORM

SCOPE OF WORK: Data collection and mapping of existing internet service providers and their current service delivery methods in Walker County, GA.

Contractor to add additional page(s) if necessary.

Total Project Cost: $

Generalized Tasks: (an itemization of what went into developing the total project cost)

A. $

B. $

C. $

D. $

E. $

F. $

Budget narrative:

GEORGIA SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE ACT AFFIDAVIT

Contract No. and Name: Walker County Broadband Services Study 2023-01

Contractor’s Name: _____________________________________________________________

STATE OF GEORGIA

CONTRACTOR AFFIDAVIT

By executing this affidavit, the undersigned contractor verifies its compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91, stating affirmatively that the individual, firm, or corporation which is contracting with Walker County has registered with and is participating in a federal work authorization program*, in accordance with the applicable provisions and deadlines established in O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91.

The undersigned further agrees that, should it employ or contract with any subcontractor(s) in connection with the physical performance of services pursuant to this contract with Walker County, Contractor will secure from such subcontractor(s) similar verification of compliance with O.C.G.A. § 13-10-91 on the Subcontractor Affidavit provided or using a substantially similar form. Contractor further agrees to maintain records of such compliance and provide a copy of each such verification to Walker County and the Georgia Department of Transportation at the time the subcontractor(s) is retained to perform such service.

EEV / E-verifyTM User Id (Account) Number Date of Authorization

BY: Authorized Officer or Agent Date (Contractor Name)

Title of Authorized Officer or Agent of Contractor

Printed Name of Authorized officer or Agent

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN BEFORE ME ON THIS THE

______ DAY OF _____________________, 20_____

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: _____________________________ *any of the electronic verification work authorization programs operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security or any equivalent federal work authorization program operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security to verify information of newly hired employees, pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), P.L. 99-603