Pre-qual for fiber optic cable

Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners seeks vendors for a Request for Pre-Qualification (RPQ) to establish a vendor pre-qualification list for fiber optic cable purchase and delivery under a 60-month term contract. The procurement solicits qualified suppliers capable of providing fiber optic cable that meets United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service Code 7 CFR 1755.900 and ANSI/ICEA Standard ICEA 640 specifications. Required deliverables include 12, 24, 48, and 96 count loose tube, dry block, single mode fiber with ultraviolet and fungus resistant polyethylene outer jackets suitable for outdoor aerial and duct applications, delivered on non-returnable wooden reels with specified lengths of 10,000 feet for 12-count fiber (plus or minus 10 percent overrun), 25,000 feet for 24 and 48-count fiber, and 20,000 feet for 96-count fiber. The initial pre-qualification submission deadline is March 21, 2024 at 4:00 p.m., with the opportunity remaining open for new vendor submissions at any time for evaluation and addition to the pre-qualified vendor list. Pre-qualified vendors must respond to quotation requests within five business days of receipt, with failure to respond to five consecutive project quotations potentially resulting in removal from the pre-qualified list. Vendors must demonstrate technical capability, financial stability, experience with fiber optic installations, and compliance with all state requirements, including providing Commercial General Liability Insurance of at least $500,000 per occurrence and Workers' Compensation Insurance per Florida Statute Chapter 440. Projects exceeding the mandatory bid amount of $100,000 shall be separately solicited through formal competitive sealed bidding, with individual project awards issued to the vendor offering the lowest fixed price.

The contract is subject to Palm Beach County's Small, Minority, and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (S/M/WBE) Program requirements, with an SBE price preference for goods allowing certified small business awards if bids fall within 10 percent of the lowest non-small business bid. Pre-qualified vendors must maintain compliance with all stated requirements throughout their approved status and provide factory or manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, effective from delivery and acceptance date. The F.O.B. point is destination, with vendors bearing responsibility for all transportation charges, liability, and risk in transit. The anticipated contract value over the 60-month period is $981,124, though Palm Beach County reserves the right to increase or decrease this amount based on actual requirements and may re-advertise for services after anticipated value is reached. Funding sources and federal compliance requirements apply if federal funds are utilized for specific projects. The pre-qualification process enables Palm Beach County to efficiently procure fiber optic infrastructure while maintaining a vetted list of qualified vendors capable of successfully executing complex telecommunications projects for the county and potentially participating local jurisdictions.