Orange County Fiber Optic Broadband Network Services

Orange County, Florida is conducting a Request for Proposals (RFP) #Y22-609-AV for Fiber Optic Broadband Network Services targeting two specific geographical zones: Zone 1 (North-East Section including Bithlo and Christmas) and Zone 2 (North-West Section including Ocoee, Apopka, and Zellwood). The procurement seeks a contractor to construct last-mile fiber optic network infrastructure to expand broadband internet service in rural and urban areas, with minimum service requirements of 100/20 Mbps and preferred 100/100 Mbps. Key deliverables include building fiber optic infrastructure, providing Wi-Fi 6 routing devices, developing a digital literacy adoption program, and establishing specialized rate structures for public assistance program participants. The project is funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, with a goal of increasing broadband capability for every home in unserved and underserved areas. Electronic proposals are due by 4:00 PM EST on May 19, 2022, through the OpenGov e-Procurement Platform, with the County anticipating a three-year contract term and expecting the program to be rolled out by July 1, 2022, with all installations and adoption campaigns completed by December 15, 2023.

While no specific set-aside designations or enterprise restrictions were explicitly detailed in the procurement documents, the project emphasizes comprehensive community engagement through digital literacy programs and targeted infrastructure expansion. The contractor will be responsible for creating an adoption campaign, establishing learning centers, and providing digital literacy training across multiple community centers in Orange County. Payment structure will be quarterly and based on residential sign-ups and implementations. The project targets approximately 100 residential addresses across multiple suburban and rural locations, with a focus on improving digital connectivity in underserved areas. Although a specific budget range was not provided, the procurement suggests a significant investment in telecommunications infrastructure aimed at bridging digital divides in Orange County. The project will integrate with existing community centers and leverage the 2019-2020 Neighborhood Center for Families network to support digital literacy and broadband access initiatives.