Public Notice
Kittitas County, Ellensburg WA
REQUEST FOR STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
FOR DESIGN AND BUILD OF BROADBAND NETWORKS IN THE THORP AND EDGEMONT UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF KITTITAS COUNTY
All submittals received after 5:00 PM, local time, May 12th, 2023, will be discarded.
PURPOSE:
Through this Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Kittitas County seeks a qualified contractor to conduct a broadband network build to connect unserved and underserved addresses of residents and businesses in the Thorp and Edgemont project areas. Kittitas County has received $3.8 million in a grant from the Public Works Trust Fund Board to bring connectivity to a minimum of 459 households. Washington State has allocated Community Project Funding (CPF) to continue its work to expand broadband infrastructure across Kittitas County and bring broadband access to households and businesses that are currently unserved by an existing broadband network through competitive grant funding cycles.
Kittitas County is seeking qualified applicants to provide high-speed broadband connectivity (1Gbps symmetrical upload and download speeds):
• To the maximum number of unserved properties, residences, and businesses in the project areas of Thorp and Edgemont.
• At the least cost to the County.
• In compliance with all issued Capital Projects Fund guidance and requirements.
Kittitas County anticipates awarding this contract to a single responder.
As American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) federal funds are utilized as grant match, the Grant Agreement issued will be a sub-award and Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will be ensuring compliance with all federal guidance and requirements, including the applicable requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) or 2 CFR 200.
The selected bidder will be awarded funding not to exceed $3.8 million to complete the high-speed broadband builds and supply service to the Thorp and Edgemont project areas.
The ongoing operation and maintenance of the project will be the sole responsibility of the selected bidder.
SCOPE OF PROJECT:
Kittitas County seeks to provide broadband connectivity to as many properties in the project areas at the least cost per premise. The scope of this project includes planning, construction, and installation of all necessary broadband infrastructure and equipment for providing access to broadband for unserved properties. Per Kittitas County’s Public Works Board grant application, the following conditions must be met:
• Project is designed to deliver upon completion, service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical download and upload speeds of 1 Gbps. To accomplish these speeds, the project will prefer fiber-optic technology.
• Project must provide broadband access to Unserved Properties in the project areas. Any costs incurred for properties that do not meet the definition of Unserved Property, as defined by Kittitas County (refer to footnote 1, page 1) are not eligible to be covered by Kittitas County under this SOQ.
• Projects must be completed as soon as possible but no later than December 31, 2026, including the submission and approval of all project closeout documentation to BEA. Any costs incurred by the Applicant after December 31, 2026, will not be eligible for invoicing to Kittitas County.
• Applicant must be a Washington State municipality or qualified Washington State broadband provider, or both, and must be able to support the internet service once it is built.
• The proposed technology must have demonstrable efficacy and broad consumer acceptance in the market.
• Applicants must participate in, or intend to before execution of the project contract, the Affordable Connectivity Program and are committed to participating in any future federal subsidy program, as applicable.
• Applicant must include at least one low-cost option offered at speeds that are sufficient for a household with multiple users to simultaneously telework and engage in remote learning. Any future, low-cost option mandated by the federal government would negate this requirement.
Ongoing operations and maintenance of the system for a term of twenty (20) years will be the sole responsibility of the selected responder. Upon term expiration, all network assets owned by Kittitas County may be transferred to the selected responder.
The selected responder is responsible for compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, codes, and regulations relative to the project and shall acquire all necessary permits, approvals, and agreements.
PROCEDURES FOR SUBMITTAL:
If you wish to be considered for work under this Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), you must be a registered consultant on the Municipal Research and Service Center of Washington – Shared Small Works and Consultant Roster (www.mrscroster.org).
A mandatory pre-submittal meeting is required to submit a response to this solicitation. The meeting location and time may be obtained by contacting: Ms. Candie Leader, Administrative Supervisor, 509-962-7523 or at: candie.leader@co.kittitas.wa.us. Specific performance criteria will be provided to prospective bidders at this meeting. Failure to attend results in disqualification from submitting a bid.
If interested in responding to this solicitation providing broadband service to Kittitas County residents, submit a sealed envelope to Mark R. Cook, Kittitas County Public Works Director, at 411 N. Ruby St. Suite 1, Ellensburg WA 98926. Submittals shall include five (5) copies of your SOQ response.
For your records, the County will provide a confirmation email to the contacts provided in the submittal confirming receipt of your interest in the proposal. Submittals received after 5:00 PM local time May 12th, 2023, will be disregarded. The County reserves the right to reject one or more submittals.
SELECTION PROCESS AND PROPOSED SCHEDULE:
Kittitas County selection will be based on the following criteria and completeness of response:
1. Pricing structure based on specifications provided at the mandatory pre-bid meeting (60 points).
2. Ability meeting supply chain project timelines (50 points).
3. Number of years providing telecommunication services (50 points).
4. Discuss Kittitas County customer service response policies (60 points).
An internal selection committee will review all submittals and select the provider for contracting. The committee may elect to conduct interviews with responders prior to selection. If interviews are desired, selected interviewees will be notified in advance. Following selection, the selected provider is required to enter into a Kittitas County professional services agreement.
The selection process shall be in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4) and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement, disadvantaged business enterprises and airport concession disadvantaged business enterprises will be afforded full and fair opportunity to submit bids in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, or national origin in consideration for an award.
Anticipated Dates and Tasks
5 PM local time May 12th, 2023 - Deadline for SOQ submittals
May 26, 2023 - Selection of Firms to Interview
June 16, 2023 - Interviews and Reference Checks
June 23, 2023 - Provider selection
July 5, 2023 - BOCC Contract Award
The above noted schedule is tentative and may be changed based on the number of proposals submitted. Proposals will be evaluated immediately with final selection targeted for late June 2023.
AGREEMENT OF SERVICES:
The selected consultant(s) will be expected to enter into a standard Kittitas County Professional Services Agreement. Insurance requirements appear in that agreement. The contract period shall be July 5, 2023, to December 31, 2026.
Persons with disabilities may request this information be prepared and supplied in alternate forms by calling collect (509-962-7523).
Kittitas County reserves the right to accept or reject one or more proposal(s) or any items or part thereof or to waive any information or irregularities in the proposals. Kittitas County shall have the sole discretion to determine the most responsible proposal.
INQUIRIES:
Direct all inquiries regarding this request for services to Candie Leader, Administrative Supervisor at (509) 962-7523, or via e-mail to candie.leader@co.kittitas.wa.us