This is a service / maintenance or supply contract in Greenbelt, Maryland. Contact the soliciting agency for additional information.

INTRODUCTION The City of Greenbelt is seeking proposals for a broadband feasibility/engineering study. The purpose this RFP is to provide the City with the information needed to determine if this is a feasible project with today's technology and economic climate, and if so, to analyze, select and implement the best solutions to improve broadband connectivity across the City of Greenbelt so that our network(s) are an asset for community and economic development. The City recognizes reaching our goal may require a mix of technologies and phased build-out plans. Flexibility, ingenuity and innovation along with a cohesiveness in design will be necessary to reach the ultimate goal of digitally connecting the City's entities through a world-class, next generation network. Our vision: City residents will be able to use convenient, affordable world-class broadband networks that enable us to survive and thrive in our communities and across the globe. To achieve this vision, we seek the best path to a ubiquitous broadband network that is scalable to one Gigabit to homes, businesses and anchor institutions recognizing that this may require a 10 Gigabit backbone. We recognize that there are a variety of models that could be used to achieve our vision and we are open to all of them, including incenting private sector investment, engaging in a public-private partnership, forming a new cooperative or operating as a government utility. We expect this to be highly interactive and iterative process, with excellent and ongoing communications between the selected vendor and the project team so that at the end of the study process, the team clearly understands the best alternatives for moving forward to achieve the vision. Questions due to the City August 25, 2023 City responses provided September 1, 2023 Any proposal related questions should be emailed to Dale Worley - dworley@greenbeltmd.g The above dates are subject to change at the discretion of the City of Greenbelt. Please email your proposal to Dale Worley - dworley@greenbeltmd.gov . Generic marketing or advertising materials not specific to your bid should not be included with your proposa SCOPE OF WORK/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS This section outlines the study and report requirements. Section A - Current assessment and market demand o Review of the competitive environment o Provide an assessment of current and developing competitive technologies including but not limited to cellular services. o Complete an inventory of existing fiber networks within the city, including ownership and availability for use by other network providers. o Provide an overview of current broadband providers' services, pricing strategies and coverage area. To the extent possible, determine and analyze the investment and deployment plans of incumbent providers. o Map the existing location of existing fiber and broadband-related electronics and available broadband speeds available by provider. This information should be provided in a format usable by the City GIS systems. o Provide an assessment of the services available to our existing and prospective businesses and how that impacts our economic development efforts. Provide a market study to establish a likely market penetration rate and clarify which benefits from a new citywide network might be most important to the residents and businesses. Include information from the following sources o Available market and census data o Local random sample citywide survey of residents and businesses o Focus groups of key constituencies o Include a sample survey your firm has used for similar project and the resulting report as an appendix of your proposal Section B - Technology options o Determine the best technology path for our city o What are the broadband capacities and considerations that are necessary now and in the future that will enable our city to be economically competitive What technologies can provide broadband services at those speeds o What are the technologies best suited to the various areas of the City based on geography and demographics o What opportunities exist to provide a protected-ring fiber network that would connect businesses and anchor institutions such as schools, libraries, hospitals, public safety, cities, institutions of higher education and community support organizations Options for services provision to include: o Mix of technologies and phased build out plans with multiple platforms scalable to 1 gigabit and include wireless, fiber, towers, cable, etc. o Options should include scenarios using what already exists within the City, with a minimum service level of (25/3, 100/100, Gb (city must choose)). o Business models and pro forma to be analyzed to include but not be limited to: a) Create new networks: 1. Open Access: The City would finance and contract to build the network and invite other service providers to contract to deliver services over the network. 2. Proprietary Network: i. The City would build and operate the network, with or without private sector operating partners ii. The City would incent a private sector partner, including existing cooperatives, the creation of a new cooperative, or other entity to invest, build and operate a network by using development powers as necessary. 3. Other options that might involve multiple local entities or other scenarios as contractor sees appropriate. o Conduct pre-engineering study(s) at sufficient depth to estimate costs and approximate implementation timeframes for full network implementation. o This evaluation should include an assessment of all available mainstream highspeed technologies either alone or in combination and include an assessment and consideration of both Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) and wireless technologies. All parts, materials, and service proposed must be currently available on the market and in continuing production (no discontinued manufacturers or parts). o Assessment of primary and redundant backhaul connection options between local network and the Internet. o Define the proposed service area and create a conceptual fiber route and high level design to provide the greatest coverage, showing businesses and publicly owned facilities passed within 1/2 mile on both sides of the fiber route. o Use algorithmic tools to combine the map data with historical cost data to provide an estimated cost to offer scalable broadband service for all options identified. Costs will be calculated by service area and anticipated route miles to determine capital costs for fiber optic mainline, access equipment, cell tower backhaul, routers, and switches. Costs should be all inclusive of any design, initial configuration and installation costs. Section C - Partnership options o Provide examples of who might be a prospective partner with a brief summary of how each relationship would function. o What sectors, groups and individuals may help our city achieve the broadband goals Please identify synergies and sharing opportunities that exist with providers and customers to include but not limited to: o ISP Providers, Telecoms, Cooperatives, Statewide telecom networks, Government entities, NGO's, K-12 and higher education, including library systems, Healthcare providers and the industry and business community Section D - Financing and Legal Considerations o Provide financing options to include, but not limited to general obligation bonds, revenue bond, public/private partnerships, USDA RUS, other state and federal funding and others where appropriate. o Provide an assessment of legal requirements, risks and regulations relevant to the building or operation of a network and partnership arrangements. o Prepare financial projections for at least two project scenarios as selected by the project steering team: o Options Identified o Operational Cash flow for expenditures o One Time and Recurring Capital Expenses o Business and technical expertise needed o Organizational support o Community Support