ICN 24-047 ITB Part 3 FY26

The Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is seeking bids through Invitation to Bid (ITB) number 336-ITB-24-047 for Dark Fiber Leased Telecommunications Service or Ethernet Service at selected locations throughout the state. The procurement targets fiber-based services that will connect Part III End Point locations to ICN Connection Point of Presence (CPOP) locations, with the primary objective of establishing telecommunications infrastructure. Vendors must provide proposals for either dark fiber optic cable service or Ethernet service, with the ICN intending to award contracts to vendors offering the lowest cost service at each specified location. The solicitation opens on November 20, 2024, at 3:00 PM CST and closes on December 31, 2024, at 3:00 PM CST. Written questions from potential bidders are due by December 11, 2024, at 4:00 PM CST, with ICN responses expected by December 13, 2024. Bid proposals must remain firm for 180 days to allow for comprehensive evaluation, and must be physically delivered to the ICN office at the Grimes State Office Building in Des Moines. The procurement utilizes commodity codes 57800 (Miscellaneous Products) and 96100 (Miscellaneous Services).

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the provided documentation. The solicitation appears open to telecommunications service providers capable of meeting the technical specifications for dark fiber or Ethernet services. While no incumbent vendors were identified, the procurement suggests a comprehensive statewide telecommunications infrastructure expansion or replacement initiative. The evaluation criteria will primarily focus on the lowest cost service at each designated location, with an emphasis on fiber-based connectivity. Although specific budget ranges were not disclosed, the statewide scope of the project implies a potentially significant contract value. Vendors will need to demonstrate technical capabilities to provide reliable telecommunications services connecting multiple locations across Iowa, with a focus on creating robust network infrastructure for state communication needs.