RFP for the deployment of infrastructure that will provide affordable, equitable, high-speed broadband access in Lewis County BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
IN THE MATTER OF: RESOLUTION NO. 21-332
ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) LEWIS
COUNTY SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR THE
DEPLOYMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL
PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, EQUITABLE, HIGH-SPEED
BROADBAND ACCESS IN LEWIS COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Lewis County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) adopted
"Vision 2025," a Strategic Plan for the county identifying five main Directives,
including initiatives to expand access to reliable, high-speed internet across the
County and address the digital divide; and
WHEREAS, Lewis County has experienced significant growth over the years.
However, the County faces challenges that impede continued economic growth
and business recruitment. The most impactful of these challenges includes a lack
of reliable high-speed internet, which continues to be a major hurdle for many
residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated shutdowns of schools
and businesses; and
WHEREAS, Lewis County is the largest county in western Washington; it covers
2,452 square miles, is rectangular in shape, and measures about 90 miles (east to
west) by 25 miles (north to south). The elevation in Lewis County varies widely.
The broad, relatively flat and low-lying western section of the county gives way to
the rugged Cascade Mountains in the east, creating a challenging landscape for a
cost-effective approach to broadband access to all Lewis County residents; and
WHEREAS, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 appropriated $130.2
billion to remain available through December 31, 2024, for payments to
metropolitan cities, non-entitlement units of local government; $65.1 billion of this
appropriation was reserved to make payments directly to counties based on their
population and to mitigate the fiscal effects of the COVID-19 emergency including
necessary investments in broadband infrastructure. The Plan also appropriated
$10 billion for payments to States, territories, and Tribal governments to carry out
critical capital projects. Each state will receive a minimum of $100 million with the
remaining $4.8 billion allocated to states based on population, rural population
and household poverty; and
Page 1 of 2 Res. 21-332
WHEREAS, the U.S. Treasury oversees the funding allocations and rules
associated with the American Rescue Plan. The Interim Final Rule outlines
guidance for use on broadband infrastructure as the following:
• Prioritize investments in fiber optic infrastructure where feasible.
• Avoid investing in locations with existing agreements to build reliable
wireline service with minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps
upload by December 31, 2024.
• Focus on projects that deliver a physical broadband connection by
prioritizing projects that achieve last-mile connections.
• Consider ways to integrate affordability options into program design.
• Use strong labor standards, including project labor agreements and
community benefits agreements that offer wages at or above the prevailing
rate and include local hire provisions
WHEREAS, the BOCC has requested an RFP process to evaluate broadband
options in order to address the underserved and unserved areas of the county,
leveraging ARPA funds available through the county, state and federal agencies.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the BOCC requests proposals to fill
broadband gaps and directs the County Manager to prepare a request for
proposals (RFP), evaluate responses, provide recommendations to the BOCC, and
negotiate a contract; and the Clerk of the Lewis County BOCC is instructed to
proceed with all appropriate and necessary notifications, posting and publication
as required.
DONE IN OPEN SESSION this 21st day of September, 2021.
APPROVED AS TO FORM: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Jonathan Meyer, Prosecuting Attorney LEWIS COUNTY, WASHINGTON
Andrew Logerwell Absent
By: Andrew Logerwell, Gary Stamper, Chair
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
ATTEST: RT�Fgs,,• Lindsey R. Pollock, DVM
•3' N LTElsey R. Pollock, DVM, Vice Chair
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Rieva Lester Sean D. Swope
Rieva Lester, Sean D. Swope, Commissioner
Clerk of the Lewis County Board of
County Commissioners
Page 2 of 2 Res. 21-332
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LEWIS COUNTY/
11111=1II 1
LEWIS COUNTY NOTICE FOR:
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Filling Broadband Gaps in Lewis County
Lewis County seeks proposals for the deployment of infrastructure providing affordable, equitable, high-
speed broadband access to all residents, businesses, and anchor institutions in unserved and
underserved areas of the County in support of economic development, education, health care, and
general public use.
The County understands that supplementary funding will be required to fill today's service gaps and
intends to secure such funding, by providing potential County funds and by working with respondents to
seek grant funding. The County is also willing to entertain both public and private partnerships in order to
achieve these goals.
Proposals must be marked "Broadband Proposals"Attention: Erik Martin and be delivered to the Lewis
County Commissioners' Office Rm. 210, 351 NW North St., Chehalis, WA 98532. This RFP is ongoing
with a first review on October 1, 2021.
The County requires the vendor submit four(4) original printed proposals (e-mails or faxes are not
accepted). Completed proposal packets are limited to ten (10) pages, double-sided if needed.
For more information about the project and submittal requirements contact Erik Martin at 360-740-2697
or email erik.martin c@Iewiscountvwa.gov or visit www.lewiscountvwa.gov/offices/commissioners/bocc-
legal-notices for an information packet.
DATED this 21st day of September, 2021.
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PURPOSE &GENERAL PROCESS
Lewis County seeks proposals for the deployment of infrastructure providing affordable, equitable, high-
speed broadband access to all residents, businesses, and anchor institutions in unserved and
underserved areas of the County in support of economic development, education, healthcare, and
general public use. The County understands that supplementary funding will be required to fill today's
service gaps and intends to secure such funding, by providing potential County funds and by working
with respondents to seek grant funding. The County is also willing to entertain both public and private
partnerships in order to achieve these goals.
Broadband access is defined as service of at least 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload, but the County
strongly prefers investments in network infrastructure that can deliver at least 100 Mbps download
speeds, ideally with symmetrical upload speeds, to accommodate present and future bandwidth-hungry
applications.
Respondents must:
• Provide an estimate of the overall cost of the project, including both capital and soft costs
(planning, engineering, permitting, administration, etc.)
• Provide a financing plan, including how much of that cost the respondent is willing to provide, how
much is intended to be borne by the county, any intended grant funding sources, and any
remaining funding required to make the project financially sustainable.
• Provide an ownership plan including what level of County-owned, private-owned, or other
publically-owned infrastructure the respondent would use, or install if it were available, where this
infrastructure would be needed, and what lease rates the respondent would pay.
Lewis County is open to entertaining multiple proposals and reserves the right to make awards to one or
more proposals which best serve those unserved and underserved areas to make efficient use of public
funds. Projects may provide for"backbone," "middle-mile," or"last-mile" infrastructure as well as direct
consumer service. The County intends to target future funding opportunities, including but not limited to
forthcoming federal grants, such as the infrastructure grant program administered by the National
Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) as well as funds available through the American
Recovery Plan Act (ARPA). Information on Federal Broadband funding can be found on the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration website and the Interactive Federal Funding Guide
https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.qov/news/latest-news/ntia-releases-interactive-federal-fundinq-quide
The County may ask the selected partner or partners to support the County in grant applications and
provide cost proposals, including the division of respondent funding and required grant funding for the
proposed service areas. If the respondent has a limited ability to support the County in such applications,
the respondent should explain those limitations in its response to this RFP.
The County reserves the right to issue future RFPs to add qualified candidates to the candidate pool if
implementation projects deriving from this RFP are not able to cover all areas of need and require the
pursuit of later funding opportunities.
ENGAGEMENT OBJECTIVES
The respondent will enable the County to close the gap between served and unserved areas of the
County, with the following considerations reflecting the strategic broadband objectives of the County:
A. To improve internet access—in terms of speed and reliability—to the greatest number of locations
feasible.
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B. To expand broadband—defined as a minimum of 25 Mbps download, and 3 Mbps upload—to the
largest number of unserved locations feasible.
C. To adopt the fastest and most future-proof technology feasible.
D. To develop a partnership in which both parties collaborate and contribute resources to solve the
problem of delivering broadband to unserved areas in the County.
E. To deliver the broadest impact to the public good and welfare of County residents and businesses.
The County favors respondents to contribute matching financial contributions to the project at a level the
respondents consider sustainable.
STATEMENT OF WORK TO BE PERFORMED
Respondents will work in supporting the County in its grant application submission or submissions.
Should the respondent receive an award, the County expects the respondent to work with the County to
provide any follow-up information required to the funder and enter into a contract with the County to
construct the proposed network. Estimated address points, to the extent available, will be provided to
potential applicants.
EXPECTED SCHEDULE
RFP Posted—9/21/2021
Questions Due—9/27/2021
Proposals Due— 10/1/2021
Contract Negotiations/Award —TBD
PROPOSAL
Proposals should incorporate the following elements in listed order: If a section is not applicable to the
proposal, please include the section and explain why the section does not apply.
Section Description
1. Title Page
2. Table of Contents
3. Letter of Transmittal
4. Profile of Respondent
5. Route Mileage
6. Description of Technology Used
7. Numbers of Addresses Passed
8. Service and Product Offerings
9. Project Timeline
10. Low-Cost Program
11. Grant Opportunity Participation
12. Cost Proposal
13. Match
14. References
Attachment-Non-Collusion Statement
1. Title Page— List the RFP subject, the name of the organization, the local address, telephone number,
name of the contact person and date.
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2. Table of Contents— Include a clear identification of the material included in the proposal by page
number.
3. Letter of Transmittal— Limit to one (1) page. State a positive commitment to perform the required work
within the time requested. Also, provide the name(s) of the person(s)who will be authorized to make
representation for your firm, their title, and telephone numbers.
4. Profile of Respondent— Provide a detailed profile of your organization and the work you perform. If you
are an existing ISP in the County, state your service area and approximate number of subscribers in the
County. In addition, provide the following information:
a. State whether your firm's operations are local, national, or international in scope
b. Provide number of years you have offered internet service or access to broadband
infrastructure to paying customers/subscribers and where
c. Provide approximate number of customers/subscribers inside and outside the County
d. Give the location of the office from which the work is to be done
e. Any other information you believe is relevant for demonstrating your depth of experience and
ability to deliver high-quality service
5. Route mileage— Respondent should list the areas it will serve and provide estimated miles of
underground and aerial construction. In addition, the respondent may also indicate underground and
aerial segments in a map illustration with appropriate legends. Respondent may also make an
assumption of relative proportion of underground vs aerial construction as part of its process of
generating a cost proposal. If so, it should indicate the proportions used without necessarily indicating
aerial vs underground segments on a map.
6. Description of technology used — For example "Fiber optic cable," "Coax cable," "ADSL," "DSL,"
"satellite," etc. If multiple technologies are used, describe how technologies will be deployed and which
technologies will be deployed where.
7. Numbers of Addresses Passed broken down by technology and speed tiers—This would be a single
line if a provider intends to use a single technology capable of reaching the same performance tier, such
as "5,000 locations with Gigabit Symmetric using FTTH."
8. Service and Product Offerings - Provide a narrative overview(limit 1 page) of the services and
products to be offered with detail on pricing for consumers by speed of services. Include a summary table
as structured below(Service Offerings Summary) and information about costs related to customer-
premises equipment(CPE) and any other relevant information that is
important to be considered.
Broadband Speed Monthly Service One-time Recurring CPE
Performance (Mbps) Cost cost/activation Cost (to
Tier fee Customer)
9. Project Timeline— Include a project timeline that highlights the order of segments for construction.
Include a brief narrative description of the segmentation and order of the approach and reasoning for the
order of the approach. Respondents should note any roadblocks. Include assumptions such as (but not
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limited to) number of work crews, make ready timelines, and anticipated issues around material lead
times.
10. Low-Cost Program —State whether the respondent offers or supports a low-cost program for eligible
subscribers (such as low-income households), the eligibility requirements for such programs, and — if
relevant—the proportion of current subscriber base participation in such programs.
11. Grant Opportunity Participation—State whether the respondent can support grant applications and
any restrictions on the respondent's ability or willingness to participate in joint grant opportunities.
12. Cost Proposal—The cost should include the total project cost.
13. Match —The dollar amount and percentage the respondent would contribute from the above price
proposal.
14. References— Provide a minimum of three (3) industry or municipality references that demonstrate the
respondent's ability to successfully plan, implement, and deploy broadband network products and
services using innovative public or private environments. Include name, title, organization, phone
number, and email address.
EVALUATION OF THE PROPOSALS
Lewis County will evaluate the responses based on the following criteria to determine the finalist(s):
Qualifications and Experience
1. Experience with similar projects;
2. Demonstration of ability to perform work;
3. Leadership structure;
4. Project manager's experience;
5. Management approach;
6. Financial condition; and
7. Project ownership.
Project Characteristics
1. Project definition;
2. Proposed project schedule;
3. Operation of the project;
4. Technology and technical feasibility;
5. Conformity to laws, regulations, and standards;
6. Environmental impacts;
7. State and local permits; and
8. Maintenance of the project.
Project Financing
1. Cost and cost benefit to the County;
2. Financing and the impact on the debt burden of the County;
3. Financial plan, including the degree to which the proposer has conducted due diligence investigation
and analysis of the proposed financial plan and the results of any such inquiries or studies;
4. Opportunity costs assessment;
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5. Estimated cost;
6. Life-cycle cost analysis; and
7. The identity, credit history and past performance of any third party that will provide financing for the
project and the nature and timing of its commitment, as applicable.
Community Impacts
1. Impacts, interactions, and future plans with the County's existing providers;
2. Comments at the public hearing on the proposals;
3. Neighborhood and community development impacts, if any; and
4. Economic development impacts.
The County may, at its discretion, request any or all respondents to clarify information presented in the
submission. Lewis County will select and rank finalist(s)based upon the criteria outlined above.The County
may request a formal presentation by finalists it selects.
The County and the respondent(or respondents)will enter into the negotiation period to refine the vision
for the project and finalize the terms of an agreement. If no agreement can be negotiated, the County will
enter into negotiations with the highest-ranked remaining respondent or respondents and so on until an
agreement is reached.
TRADE SECRETS & PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
All information submitted is presumed to be open to public inspection following the deadline for
submissions in accordance with the WA Public Records Act. (Ch. 42.56 RCW) However, responders may
designate information that it believes is proprietary and confidential, which will not be disclosed, in
accordance with applicable law. However, this is subject to the following criteria:
• The proposal must reasonably and thoughtfully differentiate confidential from non-confidential
information and mark confidential pages accordingly. Proposals that are designated confidential
in their entirety will not be protected from disclosure.
• The responder must clearly invoke this protection, in writing, in its cover letter and executive
summary.
The responder must submit a letter or memorandum stating the reasons why protection is necessary.
Upon receipt of a proposal that designates portions as confidential and proprietary, the County
Prosecutor will make a determination of the applicability of the exclusions, and send a proposer a written
determination of the scope and applicability of the protection. The responder may then remove its entire
proposal or the unprotected information from consideration, at its election, by taking prompt action.
MISCELLANEOUS
All responders must submit the non-collusion form attached to this proposal. Responders are reminded
that collusion, kickbacks, attempts to contact and influence decision-makers on this solicitation, and other
activity designed to improperly influence the process not only will disqualify any responder from
consideration. Responders or potential responders should not contact or attempt to contact any member
of the Board of County Commissioners. All such inquiries should be directed to the County Manager.
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LEWIS COUNTY11111111111111111111M
NON-COLLUSION STATEMENT
My signature certifies that the accompanying proposal is not the result of,or affected by, any unlawful act of
collusion with another person or company engaged in the same line business or commerce.
I hereby certify that I am authorized to sign, personally or as a Representative for the Firm:
Name of Firm or Individual:
Address:
Signature Date
Printed Name and Title
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BOCC AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Resolution: 21-332 BOCC Meeting Date: Sept. 21, 2021
Suggested Wording for Agenda Item: Agenda Type: Legal Notice
Issue a request for proposals (RFP) Lewis County seeks proposals for the deployment of
infrastructure that will provide affordable, equitable, high-speed broadband access in Lewis County
Contact: Erik Martin Phone:
Department: BOCC - Board of County Commissioners
Description:
Lewis County seeks proposals for the deployment of infrastructure that will provide affordable,
equitable, high-speed broadband access to all residents, businesses, and anchor institutions in
unserved areas of the county and support economic development
Approvals: Publication Requirements:
Publications:
User Status Chronicle September 23, 26 and 28, 2021
Amber Smith Approved
Erik Martin Pending
PA's Office Approved
Additional Copies: Cover Letter To:
Becky Butler and Erik Martin Lewis County EDC