Aerial Fiber Installation

Burnet County, Texas is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP 26-5040-01) for comprehensive turnkey engineering, permitting, construction, splicing, testing, and documentation services for aerial fiber optic cable installation. The project encompasses the installation of approximately two miles of 288-strand single-mode fiber optic cable across approximately seventy-eight existing utility poles, connecting the County's Data Center to the Sheriff's Office as part of a Data Center Interconnect and Network Modernization Initiative. The scope of work includes route surveying, make-ready coordination, permitting, fusion splicing, fiber testing at 1310 nm and 1550 nm using OTDR methodology with 100 percent strand verification, and comprehensive project documentation. Qualified respondents must demonstrate relevant experience with high-count aerial fiber projects, maintain appropriate certifications, and provide proof of General Liability, Workers' Compensation, and Umbrella/Excess Liability insurance coverage. All work must comply with the National Electrical Safety Code and manufacturer installation guidelines, and the selected contractor must warrant workmanship for a minimum of five years with manufacturer warranties on all materials and fiber. Proposals must include itemized pricing for all work components and three references demonstrating comparable project experience. The pre-proposal conference is scheduled for March 18, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Burnet County Auditor's Office, written questions are due by March 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM, and sealed proposals are due March 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Burnet County Purchasing Office or via electronic submission to bids@burnetcountytexas.org. Evaluation will prioritize technical compliance, relevant experience, project schedule feasibility, cost value, and material quality.

The County has established historically underutilized business participation goals for this procurement; however, specific set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent types are not detailed in the available documentation. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified for this new infrastructure project. The anticipated award date is April 14, 2026, with Notice to Proceed issued on April 15, 2026, and substantial completion required within fifteen calendar days of that notice. The RFP does not specify a contract award value or budget range, leaving pricing to be evaluated competitively among submitted proposals. Burnet County reserves the right to reject any or all proposals submitted in response to this opportunity.