336-ITB-24-020

The Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (ITTC), operating through the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), is seeking bid proposals for 10 Gigabit wavelength transport services connecting the CoreSite DE1 carrier neutral internet exchange point in Denver, Colorado, to the ICN location at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The procurement is classified as an Invitation to Bid (ITB 24-020) targeting transport vendors capable of providing dedicated private line services with no oversubscription. Vendors must deliver service on the ITU G.694.1 grid, provide 24/7 technical support, and offer pricing for contract durations between one and five years. The bid requires both one-time and recurring cost submissions, with technical specifications mandating specific performance standards including dedicated wavelength transport. The solicitation opens on June 8, 2024, with sealed bids due by 3:00 PM CDT on July 10, 2024, and will be evaluated based on best value considerations that balance price and technical compliance. Key contacts for potential bidders include Brian Clayton, Sheri Stephens, Courtney Morgan, and Lori Larsen, all accessible via iowa.gov contact information.

The procurement does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or specific restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract term is anticipated to be six years, with the potential to replace four existing 10 Gb wavelengths currently in use. No specific incumbent vendor is mentioned in the documentation. The ICN does not guarantee minimum usage and reserves the right to award the contract based on comprehensive evaluation criteria. Geographic routing restrictions are notable, with the solicitation prohibiting fiber routes through specific metropolitan areas including Cedar Rapids, St. Louis, Kansas City, Chicago, and Des Moines. While no precise budget range is provided, the solicitation suggests flexibility in endpoint locations within Council Bluffs, as illustrated by the detailed campus infrastructure map (Exhibit 1). The procurement uses US Dollars and is categorized under two miscellaneous service commodity codes (96200 and 96100), indicating a specialized telecommunications service procurement.