2026016-RFP5500 Fiber Construction, Maintenance, & Restoration Services

The Columbia County Board of Commissioners is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 2026016-RFP5500) to procure fiber construction, maintenance, and emergency restoration services for approximately 398 miles of fiber optic cable and conduit infrastructure managed by the Columbia County Community Broadband Utility (C3BU). The scope of work encompasses new construction, relocation, general maintenance, and 24/7 emergency restoration services supporting critical county infrastructure including schools, government buildings, traffic signals, water and sewer systems, law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management operations. Proposers must meet mandatory requirements and will be evaluated on a 1,000-point scale comprising 300 points for methodology and approach, 200 points for qualifications and experience, and 500 points for cost. The county intends to award two separate contracts under this solicitation. Proposals are due on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET, with a question deadline of Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Selected proposers must be available for presentations and/or interviews within two weeks following the proposal due date. The initial contract term is two years with options for three additional one-year renewal terms, and all proposed rates are guaranteed through the initial contract period.

Qualified proposers must demonstrate capacity to meet emergency response requirements, including on-site arrival within two hours for Emergency failures and 24-hour response for Priority failures. Required insurance coverage includes Worker's Compensation at statutory limits, General Liability of $2,000,000 per occurrence, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Railroad Protective Liability of $3,000,000 Combined Single Limit for work near rail rights-of-way. Proposers must provide labor and equipment costs through detailed work orders with payment upon completion and acceptance of work, while the county will supply fiber optic cable reels and conduit; proposers must furnish concrete, asphalt, rodding materials, and cable lubrication. A Project Manager located in Columbia County is preferred. All proposals must comply with federal debarment certification requirements under Executive Order 12549 and 7 CFR Part 3017, and bidders must submit a notarized Non-Collusion Affidavit certifying compliance with O.C.G.A. 36-91-21(e). No specific award value or budget range was disclosed in the solicitation materials.