Operations support system and business support system (OSS/BSS) for fiber network services

The City of Ocala, Florida is requesting letters of interest for an Operations Support System and Business Support System (OSS/BSS) platform to support a fiber-to-the-premises network serving approximately 4,500 residential and commercial subscribers, with letters of interest due October 30, 2026 and questions due October 26, 2026.

Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of five years' documented experience providing OSS/BSS services to governmental agencies, electric companies, or utility service providers, and must provide no fewer than three verifiable references from similar entities. The proposed platform must be compatible with the City's existing Adtran, Alcatel-Lucent, and Juniper FTTP electronics and must be capable of running concurrently with the existing system for at least six months. Proposers must successfully complete the City's technology questionnaire with an 80 percent or higher score.

The resulting contract will have an initial term of five years with mutual written agreement for extension. Full implementation and testing must be completed within 180 days of contract execution. The awarded vendor must provide comprehensive training programs, extensive documentation, twelve-month minimum warranty coverage, and a five-year maintenance and support agreement. Insurance requirements include commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, professional liability and errors and omissions coverage of $1,000,000 per claim, and cyber liability insurance of $1,000,000 per claim.

Evaluation uses a best value approach with administrative review followed by technical evaluation scored on a maximum of 100 points emphasizing interoperability and required system integrations, and a best value evaluation scored on an additional 100 points covering approach, methodology, project management, and implementation capability. The City reserves the right to conduct oral presentations with shortlisted firms and to negotiate with one or more proposers simultaneously. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the City's e-procurement portal by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on October 30, 2026.