Fiber Construction & Materials, Cortez to Towaoc

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (UMUT) is seeking bids for a comprehensive fiber optic network construction project funded by an Economic Development Administration grant, spanning from a communication hut near Cortez to the Public Works building in Towaoc, Colorado. The procurement involves both materials and construction services for installing approximately 57,965 linear feet of fiber infrastructure, including 288-count single-mode fiber optic cable, HDPE conduit, handholes, marker posts, and splice cases. Contractors will be responsible for project management, construction inspection, quality control, underground and aerial installation, community communication, regulatory compliance, and financial tracking. The project requires extensive technical capabilities, including engineering documentation, cable splicing, testing, and adherence to specific installation standards. Key deadlines include a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on April 9, 2024, at 11:00 AM MT via Zoom, with questions due by April 16, 2024, and bid submissions due on May 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. MT. Bidders must submit a 5% bid bond and provide comprehensive documentation demonstrating technical and logistical competence.

The solicitation encourages participation from small, minority, and women-owned businesses, with a preference for local and tribal employment. Contractors must comply with federal regulations including Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, Equal Employment Opportunity standards, and Buy America provisions. The project requires contractors to provide evidence of E-Verify participation and comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability, professional liability, and workers' compensation. Tribal-specific requirements include obtaining crossing permits for tribal lands at $10 per ID card, with most T.E.R.O. fees waived. The project will involve work within CDOT rights-of-way and must adhere to their restoration and revegetation standards. The total project budget is estimated at approximately $2.5 million, with an expected completion date of November 14, 2025, serving approximately 2,000 residents of the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation by expanding critical broadband infrastructure.