Summit, New Jersey has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) on March 29, 2007 to solicit responses from private sector vendors that have the desire, technical competence, business experience and financial wherewithal to plan, install and operate a wireless broadband networking environment throughout the City. The proposed network, titled the Summit Wireless Broadband Access Project, will support residential, commercial, business, public service and recreational organizations, while also serving governmental use.
Summit, NJ has issued an RFP seeking vendors who can install and operate a citywide wireless broadband network that will be used for municipal purposes and public Internet access.
The City of Summit is a vibrant small city (pop. 21,131) with active neighborhoods, excellent schools, parks, libraries, dining and entertainment spaces and cultural venues. Located in northwestern Union County, it is bordered by Essex and Morris Counties. The City views this project as an opportunity to provide Internet access for its citizens throughout the city while reducing the City’s communications costs, enhancing employee productivity, improving the delivery services to residents and improving access to City Hall. The project will increase consumer choice and affordability while promoting digital inclusion for families who cannot currently afford internet access or any access at all.
The City is looking for a turnkey operation, and wishes to enter into an agreement with a single, Principal Vendor who will build the network at no cost to the City and offer its residents and businesses a variety of premium services. The City will offer the vendor, without cost, access to City owned buildings, infrastructure and fiber. However, The City of Summit will not own, operate or be involved in the delivery or support of any services.
The proposed network will be multi-use utilizing 2.4GHz, with 802.11 protocols. Citizens and business will be allocated one network, while the City will have its own VLAN for City services. Bandwidth shall be dynamically allocable so that it may be dedicated solely for city use in the event of an emergency. Broadband access must be deployed downtown and certain high density areas mutually designated within city limits within ninety (90) days, and ubiquitous across the City of Summit within two hundred and ten (210) days, of the contract execution.
Significant enhancements in access speeds; overall network capacity, applications development and standards compliance are expected within 24 months of contract execution. A clear and achievable 60 month broadband technology life cycle strategy and detailed business plan will be required.
The selected vendor must have the ability to fully engage the people, processes and technology necessary to succeed in deploying an integrated infrastructure and a complete menu of easy to use, competitive and targeted customer and community services is essential. We welcome and appreciate all Vendors’ participation, creativity and input in this process. Copies of the RFP are available at the City of Summit, Department of Community Services, 512 Springfield Ave, Summit, NJ 07901, 908-273-6404.
[Text from RFP press release]
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