UDOT RFP- Utah Broadband telecommunication expertise

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a telecommunications law expert to support the Utah Broadband Center (UBC) in administering the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The solicitation seeks a consultant with comprehensive legal expertise in telecommunications industry frameworks, federal grant administration under 2 CFR Part 200, and BEAD program requirements. Key deliverables include drafting and reviewing subgrantee master agreements, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, providing administrative guidance on BEAD-eligible location determinations, developing compliance policies, and supporting regulatory analysis and audit responses. The evaluation process is rigorous, with a four-stage approach that includes mandatory minimum requirements screening, a technical evaluation worth 100 points across eight criteria, an interview stage worth 30 points, and a cost proposal evaluation. Mandatory qualifications include ten years of telecommunications law consulting experience, prior work with state broadband offices, expertise in 2 CFR 200 and the BEAD Program, and telecommunications infrastructure contracting knowledge. Proposals must achieve a minimum score of 75 points in the technical evaluation to advance, with the contract term anticipated to be five years and potentially extendable to ten years.

The RFP does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The solicitation anticipates a single contract award with an annual budget not exceeding $1,000,000. All subcontractors must be authorized to do business in Utah and are subject to state approval, with the prime contractor remaining responsible for all costs and performance. Proposers must submit comprehensive documentation, including an executive summary, detailed technical approach, project team organization, evidence of successful experience with telecommunications and utility infrastructure projects, and comprehensive fee proposals with hourly rates and deliverable cost breakdowns. The cost proposal will be evaluated competitively, with the lowest-cost proposer receiving 100 percent of available cost points, and other proposers receiving proportional points based on their pricing relative to the lowest bid. Proposers exceeding 200 percent of the lowest proposed price will receive no cost evaluation points. Travel costs will be reimbursed at the current per diem rate established by the State of Utah Travel Policy, and all proposals must remain valid for a minimum of 120 calendar days after submission.