Solicitation Intent to Award Notice.docx

This is a Solicitation Notice Intent to Award issued by the State of Nebraska, Department of Administrative Services State Purchasing Bureau, for High-Speed Transport Services for Network Nebraska. The procurement seeks qualified vendors to design, develop, and implement leased lit fiber circuits with Ethernet-based, layer-2 high-speed data connectivity for a statewide telecommunications network serving 294 educational entities across the state. The solicitation was released on December 18, 2025, with an electronic bid submission deadline of January 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. The initial contract term is four years, commencing July 1, 2026, with potential four one-year renewal options. All new circuits must be operational by the first Friday in August of each service year. The Notice of Intent to Award, posted on February 25, 2026, identifies five selected vendors: Viaero Fiber Networks, LLC; Glenwood Telecommunications, Inc.; Allo Communications; NebraskaLink LLC d/b/a OPTK Networks; and Hamilton Long Distance.

Vendors must provide bandwidth options ranging from 100 Mbps to higher capacities and comply with FCC E-Rate requirements, including possession of a Service Provider Form 498 I.D. (SPIN). Service level guarantees require 99.99% uptime, maximum 15-millisecond latency, and 24-hour trouble response. Vendors must bundle all costs, including equipment, hardware, installation, cross-connects, and maintenance, into circuit costs without additional charges. The participating entities represent diverse educational institutions including K-12 school districts, educational service units, public and private colleges, universities, and public libraries across 25 participating entities. The procurement allows for awards to one or multiple vendors, with total 48-month costs calculated through a specific pricing methodology including monthly recurring charges, non-recurring charges, and applicable taxes. The state reserves the right to conduct annual technology refresh reviews and may impose liquidated damages for E-Rate eligibility failures.