MCNC Opens Construction Bids for Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Jan. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MCNC announced today that it has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Construction and Splicing of the fiber optic middle-mile project related to the expansion of the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN) through the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI).

MCNC is seeking proposals from qualified contractors to provide construction and splicing for those routes funded by MCNC's second federal Broadband Technologies Opportunities Program (BTOP) award, received in August 2010, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's BTOP staff.

The project requires the appropriate vendor(s) to construct a new fiber cable network that connects universities, community colleges, schools, health and safety facilities, libraries, county offices, and other community anchor institutions to a statewide fiber optic network.  

The construction encompasses seven routes in North Carolina and divided into these identified segments:

Respondents may submit proposals for one or more segments. The priorities for segment completion will vary with some segments requiring streamlined construction timelines due to their location and potential impact.  At MCNC's sole discretion, each segment may be awarded separately or not at all.

Proposals will be accepted in electronic format only. Proposals should be submitted to [email protected].  Bid bonds also are due by the proposal due date and may be submitted to: Patricia Moody, MCNC Chief Financial Officer, P.O. Box 12889, Research Triangle Park, N.C.  27709.

The firm deadline for submission is Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. EST. Late proposals will not be accepted or reviewed.

The GLRBI must be completed in accordance to federal guidelines. All construction must be finished by Jan. 31, 2013 to allow MCNC to equip and place the fiber optic into service on or before July 31, 2013. Interested parties also can register to view the RFP, Construction Agreement, and Baseline Route Maps at www.mcnc.org/btop.

The GLRBI will be constructed in mainly rural regions of North Carolina and involves construction in 69 counties. The project will build a fiber optic, broadband delivery infrastructure that serves community anchor institutions statewide. Also, through partnerships with private-sector service providers, the project has the potential to deliver affordable broadband service to many rural areas of the state that today lack this service.

In evaluating the responses to this RFP, MCNC will work with the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development (NCIMED) in Durham to reach N.C. companies who qualify as small, disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses. NCIMED has been advising MCNC on BTOP-related opportunities for several months and will continue to work with MCNC to make businesses throughout the state aware of BTOP-related opportunities.

The NCIMED, through their Minority Business Enterprise Center, has with partners like the Self Help Credit Union, created loan programs targeted for small, minority, and local businesses who desire to bid on ARRA opportunities such as this RFP that are part of MCNC's BTOP Round 2 award. Respondents interested in learning more about these loan programs should contact Kaye Gantt at the Minority Business Enterprise Center via e-mail at [email protected] or phone at (919) 956.8889.

MCNC reserves the right to modify or change any information presented in this RFP as more information becomes available.

About MCNC

MCNC is an independent, non-profit organization that employs advanced Internet networking technologies and systems to continuously improve learning and collaboration throughout North Carolina's K-20 education community. MCNC provides advanced communications technologies and support services that enable access to 21st century learning applications and offers the opportunity to improve teaching, learning, research and collaboration among North Carolina's education community. For a more than a quarter century MCNC has operated a robust, secure, exclusive communications network that has connected the institutions of the University of North Carolina System, Duke University and Wake Forest University to each other and through advanced research networks such as Internet2 and National Lambda Rail, to the world. Visit www.mcnc.org.

About NCREN Community

NCREN, operated by the non-profit organization MCNC, is one of the nation's first statewide education and research networks. It provides broadband communications technology services and support to K-12 school districts, higher education campuses and academic research institutions across North Carolina. MCNC offers the NCREN network, technology tools and services to guarantee equal access to 21st century learning by providing a future-proof technology network that is the foundation for change and innovation in our educational systems. In addition to all public school districts in North Carolina, the NCREN user-community now includes: 17 institutions of the UNC System and General Administration; 24 of the 36 North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities; 58 North Carolina Community Colleges; research institutions and foundations; and, along with the N.C. Office of Information Technology Services and other partners, MCNC will provide broadband services for the Public Health and Non-Profit Hospitals Phases of the N.C. Telehealth Network in 2011 and beyond.

About MCNC's Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Awards

MCNC currently is working on a $146 million expansion of the North Carolina Research and Education Network expected to be complete by 2013. This initiative has been labeled the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative.

To fund this expansion, MCNC applied for and received two U.S. Department of Commerce Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) awards totaling $104 million. In addition, MCNC raised $42 million in private matching funds as required by the BTOP program. MCNC's sources of matching funds included $24 million from the Golden LEAF Foundation, $8 million from the MCNC Endowment, $4 million from private-sector wholesale telecommunications company FRC, and an estimated $6.55 million through donations of land and existing conduit from individual community colleges, universities, and others including the Albemarle Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. No direct funding from the State of North Carolina was required. MCNC estimates the expansion of NCREN will create or save 2,500 engineering, construction, and manufacturing jobs in the state.

Both MCNC awards are a part of a coordinated strategy developed by the Office of the Governor, the N.C. Office of Economic Recovery & Investment, and e-NC Authority to improve broadband access for businesses and residents in underserved areas. Once all work is complete, the two rounds of BTOP infrastructure have the potential to serve directly, or through MCNC partnerships with private-sector service providers, more than 1,500 community anchor institutions, 180,000 businesses, and reach more than 300,000 underserved families.

MCNC/BTOP Central Webspace

For more information regarding all of MCNC's BTOP activities, visit MCNC's BTOP Central Web Space online.

About Golden LEAF Foundation

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina's economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina's funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 1,017 grants worth over $477 million since its inception. To learn more about applying for a grant, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684.8404.

About North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development

The NCIMED is a statewide nonprofit organization representing the interest of underdeveloped and underutilized sectors of the state's economic base. The Institute's working philosophy is that information and business development are critical to wealth creation and to building the asset base among low-wealth sectors of the population. Balanced information affords the state and its communities an opportunity to make responsive decisions. Information is the key to sound public policies and private-sector practices. It builds understanding and strengthens the quality of life for all citizens. Business development initiatives are based within the three M's of Money, Markets and Management. The Institute's business development team works to assist historically underutilized businesses in accessing affordable capital, expanded market opportunities, and stable internal management and control systems. Through direct one-on-one technical assistance and small group education and training, businesses are positioned for growth and expansion. The Institute's work is grounded within the state's goal of achieving widely-shared prosperity.

SOURCE MCNC