PON Network Equipment and Installation Bunker Creek North and South

The Public Utility District No. 1 of Lewis County is seeking a contractor to construct a Passive Optical Network (PON) system in the Bunker Creek area, with the primary objective of providing high-speed broadband services. This procurement involves comprehensive network infrastructure installation, requiring the successful bidder to supply labor, materials, and equipment, while also utilizing some District-provided materials. The project spans multiple jurisdictions, including Kittitas County, Lewis County, Fort Lewis CDP, North Fort Lewis CDP, and Lewisville CDP in Washington State. Contractors must be prepared to execute a complex installation involving network equipment and infrastructure development. The solicitation is open from February 19, 2025, with proposals due by March 13, 2025. Interested parties are instructed to access complete solicitation documents on the Lewis County PUD website at www.lcpud.org/bids, with technical questions directed to Marc Ripley at marcr@lcpud.org. The procurement utilizes state and federal grant funds, which will impose specific compliance requirements on bid responses.

The contract opportunity appears to be open to qualified telecommunications and network infrastructure contractors capable of executing complex broadband deployment projects. While specific set-aside designations are not explicitly detailed in the provided documentation, the project's use of state and federal grant funding suggests potential preferences for local or disadvantaged business enterprises. The procurement involves constructing a new PON system, indicating there is likely no incumbent vendor for this specific network deployment. The project requires integration with existing infrastructure in the Bunker Creek area, with the goal of expanding high-speed internet access. Though a precise budget range is not specified, the comprehensive nature of the project involving network equipment, installation, and multiple jurisdictional coverage suggests a significant investment. Contractors should be prepared to demonstrate technical capability, grant funding compliance, and experience in rural broadband infrastructure development. The project's scope and funding source imply a potentially substantial contract value, likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars range.