Beaufort County Broadband Project

Beaufort County, South Carolina is seeking qualified private internet service providers to deploy, operate, and maintain a comprehensive broadband network in unincorporated areas of the county. The project aims to deliver high-speed internet to currently unserved or underserved residential and commercial premises, with a specific requirement of providing symmetrical speeds of 100 Mbps download and upload, or a minimum of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. Proposers must already have fiber infrastructure within 15 miles of the project area and demonstrate the capability to provide perpetual service without additional installation costs for residents. The Request for Proposal (RFP) #111824 is due on November 18, 2024, at 3:00 pm EST, with a non-mandatory virtual pre-proposal meeting scheduled for October 31, 2024, at 2:00 pm EST. The evaluation criteria will be based on a 100-point scoring system, with Project Cost (32 points) and Proposed Solution (33 points) being the most heavily weighted components, focusing on the number of premises served, deployment timing, project costs, and provider qualifications.

The procurement is funded through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, with the county providing a direct capital contribution to support infrastructure deployment. While there are no specific set-aside designations mentioned, providers must meet comprehensive qualifications including technical competence, financial stability, and customer service capabilities. The county reserves the right to select one or multiple providers to achieve complete broadband coverage, with the expectation that the project will be completed by December 2025. Providers will be responsible for all maintenance, operational, and customer service costs, and must maintain consistent pricing with their existing service territories. Although a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the county will offer one-time capital contributions to offset infrastructure costs such as fiber optics, cabinets, poles, and customer premises equipment. The selected provider(s) cannot sell the infrastructure, though transfers are permitted under specific merger conditions, ensuring long-term commitment to the county's broadband expansion objectives.