Astound Broadband, an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, is seeking an experienced, qualified firm to contract for the construction of the “Clallam County Broadband Project” fiber to the home project funded by the Washington State Broadband Office. This project is Federally Funded by Section 604 of the Social Security Act as added by Section 9901 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA or “Act”), Publication L, Number 117-2 (March 11, 2021) 452517, awarded to Washington State Public Works Board by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Per the grant program Astound Broadband will use the funds to construct an aerial and underground fiber optic system. Astound Broadband requests firms who are licensed in the State of Washington to conduct business, to provide qualifications for construction services. Small, minority and women owned firms are encouraged to submit bids. All work performed on this project will be subject to the higher of the prevailing state or federal wage rates (if applicable due to other federal funds that are included in the project). Bids will be opened at 1:00 p.m. PST, November 8th, 2024. Astound Broadband, does hereby invite sealed proposals as described and in accordance with the Bid Document for Clallam County Broadband Project - PWB, obtainable from Astound Broadband upon request. The firms shall supply qualifications for all services requested in the RFP. Any incomplete bids will be rejected. A five (5%) bid guarantee is required in the form of a cashier’s check, money order, or surety bond as per RCW 35.23.352.

Proposals for this project must be sealed, marked Clallam County Broadband Project - PWB and filed with: Astound Broadband c/o Shawn Murphy at 4519 SE Mile Hill Dr, Port Orchard WA 98366, by 5:00 p.m. PST, November 6th, 2024.  Respondents shall also provide a digital copy to Shawn Murphy; Shawn.Murphy@Astound.com by 5:00 p.m. PST, November 6th, 2024. Bid opening will take place at 1:00 p.m. PST, November 8th, 2024, at the Astound offices located at 116 West 8th St, Port Angeles, WA. 98362

Overview of the Project

Construct mid-mile infrastructure along a small portion of Hwy 101 and Hwy 112 that will bring access to approximately 1,600 premises overall; for this specific project phase (PWB), approximately 13 miles of fiber will be constructed to provide approximately 640 homes with access to broadband service. This project will be located west of Port Angeles and north of Elwha in Clallam County. The project is expected to route along the Strait of Juan de Fuca Highway.

The PWB Phase consists of approximately 67,114 LF of fiber route construction which includes approximately 43,351 LF of new aerial fiber construction and 23,763 LF of underground fiber construction. The responders to this RFP must account for prevailing wage labor rates in their bid and certified payroll will be a requirement. Astound Broadband may choose to issue additional scopes of work beyond those identified within the RFP to the winning bidders without reissuing the RFP. Bidders need to be capable of completing all construction by August 1st, 2026.

RFP Timeframes and Deadlines

Intent to Bid

Bidders who intend to respond must send an email stating this intent to Shawn.Murphy@Astound.com and Richard.Hays@Astound.com no later than the time and date designated above. The construction routes are available to those submitting an intent to bid and have signed the confidentiality agreement attached. Bidders, who do not submit an intent to bid by 5:00pm on, September 24th, 2024 will be disqualified from bidding on this project.