ValleyNet, Inc. / ECFiber 415 Waterman Rd Date: April 1, 2016 Royalton, VT RFP Number: Due Date: May 22, 2016

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1 Request for Proposal for Fiber Optic Design and Engineering Services ValleyNet, Inc. This is not an order. ValleyNet/ECFiber reserves the right to reject any or all responses and to waive any formalities in the response process. Responses are to be sealed with the RFP number clearly marked on the outside of the envelope. Responses must be received by ValleyNet, Inc. prior to the due date and time. Firms are encouraged to confirm receipt of their response submission prior to the due date. Voluntary informational session will be held on April 26 at 10am: Dial Access Code: Responses will be opened at the time and date indicated above. Fax responses will not be accepted. Contact Information: Carole D. Monroe CEO, ValleyNet, Inc

2 Request for Proposal For Fiber Optic Design and Engineering Services ValleyNet, Inc. /ECFiber Project Description ValleyNet, Inc. /ECFiber is soliciting responses from qualified firms to provide GPON fiber optic design and engineering services for a 250 mile expansion of the existing 340 mile ECFiber gigabit passive optical broadband network (GPON). The successful firm will design and engineer fiber optic construction for last mile distribution and access and middle mile access consistent with the existing ECFiber GPON network, including distribution splice point (DSP) and fiber access point (FAP) placement for every premise along the route. The engineering work to be done also includes GIS mapping of the route and poles and the coordination of pole licensing with the applicable utilities. The actual route or routes will be chosen in May of The route(s) will be determined based on demand and commitment identified through the current pre-subscription campaign ( The network will be engineered to serve every premise in the towns selected. Timeframe ValleyNet will make a decision on the towns to be built by May 7, We will, at that time, provide kmz/kml files and as-built drawings of the existing network in those towns, including hub locations, approximate number of premises and road miles. The majority of the fiber construction will be aerial on existing utility poles. Design will need to take into consideration the existing network in each town to determine the interconnection points to existing fiber. Design must include all drawings, a Bill of Materials, and specifications necessary to build out the network, pre-construction through as-built drawings for each town. An electronic design and completed as-built files compatible with ArcGis must also be included. Design must allow for a drop at each premise, plus 10%. Route and pole GIS, and utility pole applications and permitting, should commence as soon as possible following the award of the contract with pole applications to be submitted in the summer of 2016 in order to allow for build to commence in early spring This requirement is a key factor in awarding the RFP.

3 Scope of Services This project calls for pole application management, design, engineering, and a recommendation and implementation of a fiber management system compatible with ArcGis files. ValleyNet will not require the engineering firm to produce the network design for the electronics. The design of electronics, hub location power requirements, cabinet specifications, etc. will be performed by ValleyNet. For the purposes of this RFP, the engineering firm will focus strictly on the design for outside plant fiber optic facilities, which will include splitter and splice locations, specifications for termination shelves, and construction requirements. ValleyNet has identified three (3) key tasks that will be required of the selected engineering firm. Task 1: Pole Attachment Permits, Utility Access, and Applications The successful Respondent will be responsible for obtaining any required agreements, authorizations, or approvals that may be necessary to secure the use of utility poles for the provision of services over the network. Perform preliminary pole locations and pole continuity using available public data, such as, e911 data files. Perform formal pole identification (GPS locations, owner and attachment identifier tags) If necessary and required by pole owner, perform make-ready analysis or work with pole owner if owner will perform analysis. Coordinate with ValleyNet and pole owners to ensure the preparation for construction of poles, conduits, and other access and attachment paths. Coordinate with ValleyNet and pole owners to ensure make ready is completed in the most effective manner to support construction. ValleyNet will expect the selected Respondent to negotiate the lowest possible make ready costs on ValleyNet s behalf. The make ready costs will be remunerated by ValleyNet to the pole owners. Task 2: Right-of-Way and Permit Applications The engineering firm shall manage the permit process with the various entities and localities. Due to the timing involved, the engineering firm, in conjunction with ValleyNet, must obtain the required permits, rather than waiting for the contractor to apply for permits. The list of possible permits/row issues include, but are not limited to the following:

4 The engineering firm shall coordinate and assist ValleyNet in securing all necessary permits, utility easements, and rights-of-way from VT AOT, towns along the proposed routes, any impacted railway companies, the USDA Forest Service, and any third party. Such coordination and assistance shall include, but not be limited to, preparation of applications, surveying/recording of applicable easements and permits to allow for construction (i.e. showing erosion and sediment plans), providing all surveys and drawings, and other services necessary and reasonable for the acquisition of adequate real property interests to install and maintain a fiber optic cable. ValleyNet will remunerate VT AOT, any impacted railway companies, the USDA Forest Service, and any third parties for the actual permits, utility easements or rights-of-way. Coordinate with and support ValleyNet to secure all necessary environmental, cultural, and historical approvals necessary to begin construction. Preparation of a PCN (pre-construction notification) shall be the responsibility of the engineering firm, which shall be provided for distribution to the relevant public agencies. Task 3: Developing Construction Bid Specifications for OSP Fiber Network The engineering firm shall be required to develop drawings and specifications for the construction of the outside plant fiber optic facilities. These specifications must follow accepted outside plant engineering practice. Drawings should be accurately marked to indicate the following: Routing of fiber optic cable Depth of cable (where buried) Location of man holes and pull-boxes (hand holes) Location of each pole Pole numbers Location of riser poles Span lengths Suspension strand size for each fiber optic cable Types of fiber optic cables Location of aerial DSPs and FAPs. Location of slack loops (service loops) Separation in feet between fiber optic cable and foreign cables Detailed Splice Charts

5 The engineering firm shall be responsible for conducting pre-design meetings with the technical project team to identify route selections, connectivity points, and any issues related to construction of the fiber optic facilities (aerial or buried). The ValleyNet CEO or designated representative (e.g. project manager, design staff, etc.) shall coordinate and attend meetings with the selected engineering firm. The engineering firm shall be responsible for staking the route, if underground, and producing computerized maps (AutoCAD compatible in 11x17 format). The engineer shall be responsible for assessing entry points into each connection point, and shall coordinate with ValleyNet to locate the routing and termination point for each FAP location. The engineer shall produce budgetary estimates, design specifications and drawings at the 60% complete and 90% complete stage. At each completion stage, the engineering firm and ValleyNet team members shall meet to discuss route selections, issues with design criteria, and other issues that may arise. The engineering firm shall 1) produce an electronic copy of the construction bid package (drawings and specifications in PDF format), 2) implement a fiber management system including all design elements and 3) produce a hard copy of all documents. ECFiber will maintain the fiber management system going forward. Additional Information Maps of the project areas and existing ECFiber network will be supplied in May Response Contents To aid us in the evaluation of design engineering service responses, we require that your response follow this outline: Cover Letter, indicating your firm s interest in the project, and highlighting key points of your response. 1. Firm Overview, including company history, number of employees by discipline, company locations, location of office where this project will be managed, and length of time your firm has provided similar services. Also indicate the systems you utilize to produce outside plant engineering designs (AutoCAD, Microstation, Mapcom M5, others). We require the selected engineering firm to be licensed to do business in the Vermont.

6 2. Proposed Project Team: Include an organizational chart and resumes of key project team members, including their role in this project. Also identify who the primary manager for this project will be within your organization. 3. Experience: Indicate your experience with planning and design of GPON fiber optic outside plant networks with splitters in the field, including buried and aerial deployments. Show your experience with designing and managing implementation on regional and rural FTTH fiber optic networks. Outline your experience with ROW and environmental permitting. The Respondent should describe your experience with the pole owners in the region and any special third party relationships with these companies that will serve to ensure rapid completion of the project. 4. Proposed Services & Project Approach: Please define, in great detail, how your firm will manage this project, including managing pole access with the utility companies, and will ensure a quality construction bid document is produced. Please describe your work plan to accomplish the major tasks. Also, identify any innovative design or project management techniques you have utilized on past projects that have helped reduce design times, or improved quality of your services. 5. Time Schedule: Indicate your proposed timetable, based upon the scope of work, and your experience with other telecommunications outside plant engineering projects. Include a timeline of key deliverables. 6. Pricing: Indicate your proposed pricing schedules for the Design / Engineering Services defined in this request including a cost rate for staff as well as not-to-exceed overall costs for per mile or per unit of included services. 7. References: Please provide a minimum of three (3) references where your firm and your proposed project team, have provided FTTH outside plant engineering services. Please include clients name, address, phone number, address, and description of work and dates completed. 8. Financial Statements: Include information related to your financial stability, including certified financial statements, revenues over the past three (3) years, any pending lawsuits or legal actions against your company, and contact information for your financial institution. Include your coverage for general liability, workers comp, professional liability and errors & omissions insurances. ValleyNet requires a minimum of $2,000,000 in professional liability insurance.

7 9. Other Current Projects: Indicate your existing client work load, and what other projects your team is committed to, including project time frames. If you have any projects which may cause a conflict of interest, or could otherwise hinder your proposed timeframes, please describe those projects and how your firm manages multiple client priorities. Selection Process ValleyNet will appoint a Selection Committee to review and evaluate all responses submitted by firms responding to the RFP. The responses will be evaluated and ranked based on the Selection Criteria. ValleyNet may ask the top ranked firms to attend a presentation interview as part of the evaluation process. At the conclusion of the evaluation process the firms will be ranked in priority order with the highest ranking firm being selected to negotiate a contract with ValleyNet. If a contract satisfactory to both parties cannot be negotiated, ValleyNet will then enter into negotiations with the next highest ranking firm and so on until an agreement can be reached. Selection Criteria The Respondents will be evaluated on the following criteria listed in priority order: 1. The adequacy of the specifically enumerated personnel resources and overall capacity of the Respondent to perform the work within the given time limitations, taking into consideration the current and planned workload of the firm as set forth in the Respondent s response. 2. The Respondent s experience with the design and engineering fiber optic networks and of engineering of GPON broadband networks. The professional qualifications and experience of individuals who will actually provide the design, engineering and related services to be provided in response to the RFP. 3. The not-to-exceed cost of the project. 4. The Respondent's ability to work with Vermont private permitting and joint use agreements (e.g. pole attachments). 5. Location of the project team. 6. The Respondent s understanding of the intended project outcome.

8 7. The Respondent s ability to work with Vermont public permitting agencies. Insurance Requirements The Successful Proposer shall procure, maintain, and provide proof of insurance coverage for injuries to persons and/or property damage as may arise from, or in conjunction with, the work performed on behalf of ValleyNet by the Successful Proposer, his agents, representatives, employees or subcontractors. A Certificate of Insurance shall be submitted within ten (10) Calendar Days after the Notice of Award has been received by the Proposer and such coverage shall be maintained by the Successful Proposer for the duration of the contract period. Automobile Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 combined single limit. Worker s Compensation Insurance at statutory limits as required under the Vermont Worker s Compensation Act. General Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 occurrence limit, $2,000,000 general aggregate. Professional Liability Insurance: $1,000,000 occurrence limit, $2,000,000 general aggregate. Special Conditions ValleyNet, Inc. reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to accept or reject any or all statements or responses, or to waive any and all irregularities in any or all statements or responses, and to award a contract to the responsible bidder whose response is most beneficial to ValleyNet and ECFiber. ValleyNet also reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to request additional information from any or all respondents. While ValleyNet intends to execute a contract for services listed herein, it is not bound to do so and this document will not be interpreted as binding ValleyNet to enter into an agreement with any bidder. The successful respondent will enter into negotiations with ValleyNet, Inc. on the precise Scope of Work (SOW) and associated fees. Once this negotiation is complete, the respondent will be required to execute a contract with ValleyNet following award of the solicitation by the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District (ECFiber) Governing Board. If negotiations on Scope of Work and fees is unsuccessful, ValleyNet may commence negotiations with the second highest rate firm and/or re-issue the RFP.

9 ValleyNet will provide a Professional Services Agreement with specified terms and conditions. ValleyNet may, but is not required to, negotiate contract terms and provisions to which the Respondent makes exception and negotiate requested or required additional terms and provisions. The Professional Services Agreement as finally agreed upon must be in form and content acceptable to ValleyNet. Offeror agrees to all terms and provisions of the form Professional Services Agreement to which the offeror does not make exception in the offeror s response. Submittal Respondents should submit three (3) paper copies and one (1) digital copy (CD or USB Thumb Drive) to the address below no later than 3:00 p.m. ET, May 22, 2016: ValleyNet, Inc. Carole D. Monroe CEO 415 Waterman Rd Royalton, VT Minority and/or female-owned businesses are encouraged to apply. ValleyNet, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin or against faith-based organizations.