SVEC_Routine_Fiber_Splicing_Maintenance_and_AddOn_Services_RFP_2026010__Addendum_1.pdf

ADDENDUM #1

RFP No. 2026-010

Request for Proposals for Routine Fiber Splicing, Maintenance and Add-On Services

This Addendum is hereby incorporated into the above-referenced Request for Proposals.

Proposals remain due by 5:00 PM EST on November 13, 2026.

RESPONDENT QUESTIONS

SVEC received the following questions from prospective Respondents. Questions have been consolidated and edited for clarity where appropriate. SVEC's responses are provided below.

No. Question Answer

1. Could you confirm whether vendor registration in VendorLink must be completed before the openings on November 13 and November 16, or whether the bid packages can be obtained directly from your office?

VendorLink registration is not required to obtain or submit the solicitation documents. The RFPs may be obtained through VendorLink or directly by email, and proposals may likewise be submitted through VendorLink or by email in accordance with the RFP instructions.

2. Could you confirm the insurance limits required at bid time?

The required insurance includes $1 million Commercial General Liability, $1 million Automobile Liability, and Workers’ Compensation with the limits and endorsements specified in the RFP.

3. Can SVEC provide historical or estimated work volumes, including approximate annual volumes over the past 12–24 months by task type and estimated weekly work volume?

Should respondents assume sufficient work to support a minimum 40-hour workweek?

SVEC is not providing a guaranteed quantity of work under this solicitation.

Actual work may be more or less than anticipated and will depend on SVEC’s routine maintenance needs, customer add-ons, service conditions, trouble tickets, and authorized projects.

Accordingly, pricing should be based on the unit requirements and scope identified in the solicitation rather than an anticipated volume of work.

4. Can you provide us a copy of the Unit Cost Proposal Form? The one in VendorLink is appearing blank.

The Cost Proposal Form has been updated in VendorLink from a VFile to

No. Question Answer an Excel file. A copy was also provided by email to the requesting respondent.

5. May respondents submit proposals for only a limited scope or selected fiber units, including marking non-applicable electric line items on the Splice Only pricing sheet as ‘No Bid’?

Respondents should submit proposals based on the full scope identified in the RFP rather than a limited mainline-splicing-only scope. SVEC reserves the right to select which specific services an awarded contractor will provide;

however, the solicitation does not provide for proposals limited solely to high-count mainline splicing, testing, and closeout.

6. Will SVEC provide a copy of the MSA before the proposal due date? If not, can SVEC confirm the payment terms, contract term, renewal provisions, and whether the MSA includes a limitation-of-liability provision?

SVEC does not anticipate issuing the MSA prior to the proposal due date.

Selection by SVEC does not obligate a respondent to execute the MSA, and selected respondents will have the opportunity to review the agreement before execution.

7. Given the size of SVEC’s service territory, will SVEC accept trip, dispatch, hourly, mobilization, service-call, minimum-ticket, or Minimum Fiber Job Cost charges? Please explain when each applicable pricing-sheet row may be used, whether mobilization is payable to contractors based outside the area, and how these charges will be evaluated.

Pricing shall be based on the Unit Cost Proposal. Separate mobilization, service-call, hourly, or similar charges will not be paid unless specifically identified in the accepted cost proposal and authorized by SVEC.

8. May respondents propose separate unit prices for after-hours, weekend, and emergency work?

Routine work is performed during normal business hours unless otherwise approved by SVEC. After-hours, weekend, emergency, or customer-impacting work must be coordinated with and approved by SVEC. Specific response and completion requirements may be established in the applicable work authorization.

9. Please define SVEC’s normal service hours and the required acknowledgment, arrival, completion, and restoration timeframes for routine, priority, service-affecting, and outage work orders. Is after-hours or weekend coverage required or

SVEC’s normal work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Acknowledgment of arrival and completion will be required by phone and through completion of the applicable ticket. Response, arrival, completion, and restoration timeframes optional, and must the crew be stationed locally?

will vary based on the nature and priority of the work and will be communicated by SVEC as applicable.

After-hours and weekend availability is preferred but is not required;

respondents should identify their ability to provide such coverage in their proposal. If after-hours coverage is offered, the contractor must be capable of responding and arriving at the SVEC Cooperative office within two (2) hours of initial notification. Crews are not required to be stationed locally, provided the applicable response requirements can be met.

10. Approximately what percentage of SVEC’s existing outside-plant fiber between the NID and hut is aerial versus underground? Is aerial work expected on energized electric distribution poles?

Approximately 4% of total OSP is underground.

Yes, if pole and fiber optic cable are in a safe work environment.

11. Which materials will SVEC furnish, such as ONTs, drop cable, splice cases, and taps, and which materials must the contractor include in its unit prices? Please provide any approved manufacturers or models and the procedures for material pickup, stocking, storage, returns, and unused materials.

SVEC will provide all the material needed.

12. For damaged mainline and drop cable, who is responsible for cable replacement, temporary restoration, and permanent restoration?

The specific contractor for each instance will be responsible. Depending on the work assignment, the same contractor for both (if capable) or 1 crew for each.

13. Will any work orders under the resulting agreement be funded in whole or in part with federal funds? If so, will prevailing-wage requirements under Davis-Bacon or Build America, Buy America requirements apply?

Contractors are required to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders identified in the contract documents.

Task Releases issued under the resulting contract may include additional requirements based on the applicable funding source or changes in law. At this time, no prevailing wage determination or certified payroll reporting requirements are anticipated for the services contemplated under this solicitation.

14. What is the required proposal and pricing validity period? Will the resulting agreement include an annual price adjustment or escalation mechanism during its term?

Respondents should identify the period for which their proposed pricing will remain valid. For multi-year agreements, respondents may identify any proposed annual price adjustment or escalation mechanism for SVEC’s consideration.

15. Will SVEC consider a monetary limitation on the indemnification obligation consistent with Section 725.06, Florida Statutes?

The indemnification requirements will remain as stated.

16. Does SVEC anticipate awarding contracts to multiple contractors? Will current contractors continue to receive work during and after this procurement, and, if multiple awards are made, how will work orders be distributed?

SVEC is anticipating awarding only one contractor. This contractor will receive the majority of the work; we will keep one of our contractors to help with any overflow or emergencies, but it will be only as needed.

17. Is the existing aerial fiber cable primarily strand-and-lash or ADSS?

Strand and lash.

18. Are aerial splice locations mounted on pole-mounted coil brackets or hung along the fiber line?

For the majority of the system, they will be mounted on the pole, but we do have approximately 135 locations where we are located on joint use transmission poles where the splice enclosure will be strand mounted.

19. In strand-and-lash areas, are existing splice cases expected to be relashed or secured using Deltec?

Secured using Deltec.

20. Will SVEC hold a pre-bid on-site meeting?

No pre-proposal conference is currently scheduled. If one is held, SVEC will provide notice by addendum.

21. Can SVEC provide its existing fiber-optic cable material specifications and construction specifications?

We can provide spec book if needed.

22. What testing methods and acceptance criteria are required for each work category, including wavelengths, acceptance limits, test directions, and required OTDR, power-meter, file, or report formats?

Single mode fiber.

Wavelengths1310 to 1650.

Acceptable loss limits not to exceed 0.5db per km.

OTDR must have certificate of calibration.

** END OF ADDENDUM #1 **

23. Who schedules customer appointments and arranges access to huts, gates, poles, and private property? How will unsuccessful visits, return trips, or delays caused by unavailable access, missing materials, or incomplete prerequisite construction be compensated?

The contractor will be responsible for contacting the customer to coordinate the timing and manner of access to the property. SVEC has existing rights-of-way associated with its power facilities, which the contractor may utilize as applicable. Return trips may be billed as a trip charge.

24. What pay item or payment method applies to diagnostic visits that do not result in a splice or equipment replacement, including upstream faults or service that tests within specification?

Re-enter fee of splice enclosure and testing fee.

25. Does ONT replacement include provisioning, serial-number registration, configuration, and customer-service verification? What system access and technical support will SVEC provide?

ONT is not part of OSP splicing. It will be located in the home and is not included in this proposal.

26. Can SVEC provide a more detailed description of the ‘Drop Tap’ units?

Terminal access point. The first number is number of ports, and the second number is the attenuation level of the splitter.

27. Which Florida licenses or registrations are required for this work beyond the Business Tax Receipt?

Respondents must provide proof of all applicable licenses for the goods and/or services to be rendered, as well as proof of the Respondent's Business Tax Receipt, if applicable. The RFP does not identify a specific Florida contractor license as a separate requirement.

Respondents are responsible for maintaining all licenses and registrations applicable to the services they propose to perform.

28. Are Florida-based subcontractors or local crews permitted?

Yes.

29. Is remote notarization acceptable for Exhibit D?

Remote notarization is acceptable.