High-Speed Transport Services for Network Nebraska

The Nebraska State Purchasing Bureau is conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP 6837 Z1) to select qualified bidders to provide high-speed transport services for Network Nebraska, a statewide telecommunications network serving educational, government, and library entities. The procurement seeks Ethernet leased lit fiber circuits, Ethernet fiber circuits, and commercial internet access to connect over 292 eligible participants across the state, including public school districts, educational service units, public colleges and universities, and other public institutions. Bidders must provide scalable, cost-effective transport services with specific technical requirements, including layer-2 Ethernet connectivity to seven core aggregation points, support for 802.1Q VLANs, and compliance with E-rate program guidelines. Proposals are due on January 3, 2024, with an anticipated contract award on February 26, 2024, and a contract start date of March 1, 2024. The contract will run through June 30, 2028, with options for four additional one-year renewals, and bidders must have a valid E-rate Service Provider Identification Number and be eligible to participate in the Universal Service Fund discount program. Evaluation will be based on the lowest overall 48-month cost per site, with bidders able to propose services for one, some, or all eligible entities.

The RFP does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations. Fourteen vendors have been identified as potential contractors, including ALLO Communications, CenturyLink Communications, Charter Communications, FiberComm, Great Plains Communications, Kinetic Business by Windstream, and Unite Private Networks, among others. The current network environment is a multi-provider, layer-2 high-speed Ethernet network, and the successful bidder(s) will be required to ensure a seamless transition and continued service for participants. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the RFP requires pricing for bandwidth options ranging from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps, with non-recurring and monthly recurring costs to be provided for each site. The State reserves the right to purchase any quantity of service without minimum or maximum quantity requirements, and all state agencies, the University of Nebraska, political subdivisions, and other eligible participants will be allowed to purchase services under the resulting contract(s). The procurement aims to update and expand the existing statewide network to accommodate present and future technology needs of educational and government entities in Nebraska.