6130-EGBA-FY2016-PSCN INFRA: Microwave Replacement

The State of Colorado Office of the State Architect, on behalf of the Governor's Office of Information Technology, is soliciting Design/Build Lump Sum services to replace and upgrade the existing microwave backhaul network supporting the Motorola P25 Trunked Radio System serving public safety agencies throughout Colorado. The project encompasses approximately 228 interconnected microwave sites operating across multiple frequency bands (2 GHz, 6 GHz, 10 GHz, 11 GHz, 18 GHz, and 23 GHz) and requires transition from Time Division Multiplex (TDM) technology to an Internet Protocol (IP)-based environment. Deliverables include engineering and system design, frequency research and FCC licensing coordination, equipment procurement and installation, tower structural analyses and construction as required, project management, software installation and programming, training, acceptance testing, cutover execution, and three years of hardware and software warranty and maintenance support. The project is structured in five phases planned over five years, with Phase One to commence in May 2016 and the entire project scheduled for completion by June 30, 2019. Respondents must demonstrate minimum qualifications including Design/Build contracting experience on at least two projects exceeding $10,000,000 in hard costs within the last five years, bonding capability up to $60,000,000, ten years of experience in digital microwave system design and installation, and documentation of three similar projects completed within the last five years. The RFP employed a two-step evaluation process with a mandatory pre-submittal conference held January 14, 2016; prequalification submittals due February 4, 2016; short-listed teams notified February 11, 2016; oral interviews scheduled February 16-19, 2016; and sealed cost proposals due March 7, 2016, with selection announced in March 2016. The evaluation criteria weighted qualifications at 60 percent and cost at 40 percent, and respondents were required to acknowledge acceptance of the sample Design/Build Agreement, project specifications, and estimated budget parameters.

The State has not designated this procurement as a set-aside for disadvantaged, minority, woman-owned, or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, though bidders may self-identify as such entities if they possess current certification. However, all respondents must comply with the Certification and Affidavit Regarding Unauthorized Immigrants requirement and demonstrate participation in either the E-Verify Program or the Colorado Department Program for employment eligibility verification. Contractors must employ Colorado labor for at least 80 percent of the work performed in accordance with C.R.S. 8-17-101(1), and Davis-Bacon wage requirements do not apply to this project. For new tower construction, contractors must use one of the State's pre-qualified tower vendors: EasTex Tower Inc., Rex Industries, Advanced Tower Services, and Hudspeth & Associates Inc. The State will provide transmission lines and microwave dishes for critically loaded towers and will purchase such equipment from the selected contractor. The project budget is estimated at approximately $30.4 million, distributed across system equipment ($22.4 million), spare and test equipment ($2.3 million), project management and engineering services ($5.6 million), and training ($188,930). All equipment and software must be new and covered by full manufacturer's warranty for three years from State final acceptance, with equipment at the end of its lifecycle prohibited from proposal. The State is funding the project through Capital Construction Funds over the five-year period, with Phase One funding available at award and subsequent phase funding anticipated annually.