Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner for High Speed Nevada Phase II Nevada Middle Mile Network

The State of Nevada, through the Governor's Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT), the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), is seeking proposals from qualified vendors for a Fiber Marketing and Construction Partner for the High Speed Nevada Phase II - Nevada Middle Mile Network project. The selected partner will be responsible for the design, engineering, environmental assessments, permitting, procurement, and construction of two fiber optic middle mile networks along the Interstate 80 and Eastern Nevada corridors, totaling over 950 miles. The partner will also be tasked with marketing and selling dark fiber Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRUs), lit fiber services, and innerduct leases to last-mile internet service providers, with the goal of expanding affordable, reliable, and scalable broadband access to unserved and underserved areas in Nevada. Proposals are due by October 16, 2023, and the selected partner is expected to begin work by December 2023, with the projects required to be completed by September 30, 2026.

The state has budgeted a total of $152.8 million for the two middle mile projects, which are being funded through the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund and the NTIA's Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. While there are no set-aside requirements, the state encourages the participation of minority, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises. The state has issued a letter of intent to award the contract to Zayo Group, LLC, but the contract will not be effective until approved by the Nevada State Board of Examiners. Pricing for lit fiber, dark fiber, and innerduct leases has been outlined in the RFP, with the winning partner receiving a commission on all transactions.