Internet Transport Connectivity_Nashville

Auburn University is seeking proposals for a critical internet transport connectivity project through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on January 14, 2025, with responses due by February 12, 2025, at 10:30 AM CST. The procurement specifically targets a single 100 Gbps Internet transport circuit to serve the university's main campus in Auburn, Alabama, with a specific focus on connecting to commodity Internet and Internet2 services provided by Southern Light Rail/Southern Crossroads (SLR/SoX) at one of two Nashville, Tennessee locations. The university requires physical diversity in its internet connectivity and may mandate that the circuit be provided by a different vendor than its existing circuit to ensure network redundancy. Additionally, the RFP solicits pricing for alternative bandwidth configurations, including 20 Gbps and 40 Gbps Internet Service delivered on a dedicated fiber circuit. Evaluation criteria will likely include considerations of fiber optic infrastructure ownership, network reliability, and service capabilities. The procurement utilizes commodity codes 81112100 for Internet services and 81161700 for Telecommunication Services, with Christalyn Thomas serving as the primary contact at cmc0122@auburn.edu or +1 334-844-3711.

While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation, the procurement appears to be open to qualified telecommunications and internet service providers capable of meeting the technical specifications. The project is part of Auburn University's strategic initiative to maintain robust research and education network connectivity through the Southern Crossroads (SoX) Research and Education Network. The RFP suggests potential preference for vendors with existing fiber infrastructure and the capability to deliver high-bandwidth, redundant internet connectivity. Although precise budget ranges are not specified, the comprehensive technical requirements and 100 Gbps circuit specification indicate a significant infrastructure investment. The procurement spans Limestone County, Alabama, and involves complex network connectivity solutions targeting research and educational technological infrastructure. Potential respondents should demonstrate extensive experience in high-capacity internet transport, fiber optic networking, and the ability to integrate with existing research and education network ecosystems.