All information related to RFP/RFQ announcements can be found here

Request for Proposal
The Northeast Services Cooperative (NESC), located in Mountain Iron, MN, is deploying a fiber optic broadband network that extends over 900 miles across northeastern Minnesota.  Dark fiber deployed throughout the network will be monitored from the Network Operations Center on a continuous basis.  The purpose of this solicitation is to obtain a price quote and technical description for the purchase, installation, testing, and training of a Remote Fiber Test System for the network.  The hardware installation and training will be at NESC headquarters in Mountain Iron, MN.  The deadline is January 15, 2012. Click here for download.

NOTE UPDATED ON 12/02/2011

Release Date 11/21/2011

NESC Shop Drawings for OTN Telecommunication Equipment Shelters for the following Installation Sites are now available for download: Click here for Barnum, Click here for Ely, Click here for Floodwood, Click here for Hermantown, Click here for Silver Bay, Click here for Tower.

A copy of the Bid Spec for OTN Remodel Project 10-096A for Cloquet, Hibbing, Duluth, Citon Computer Corp. and Northeast Service Cooperative can be found by clicking here.

A copy of Addendum 1 and Addendum 2 can also be downloaded by clicking below:  

OTN Remodel Project 10-096A Addendum 1

OTN Remdoel Project 10-096A Addendum 2.

NESC RFQ for DC Battery Systems

The Northeast Service Cooperative, located in Mountain Iron, Minnesota is seeking a price quote and configuration for the purchase and installation of the battery system for the sites listed in the RFQ.  A complete copy of the RFQ for DC Battery Systems can be found by clicking here.  A copy of the Battery Quotation Form is available for download in  Excel Format xlsx or Excel Format xls.  A copy of the Q & A for the RFQ can be found by clicking here.

The battery system to be acquired under this solicitation is comprised of the battery charge/discharge rate control system; batteries; equipment racks; power and grounding cables; and any required safety system to include spill control, containment system, enviornmental sensors for outgassing, and recomibnation devices.

Purchase will be authorized by NESC using standard USDA 397 contract and vendor should be willing to accept award under the terms of the standard contract. The USDA 397 contract can be found by clicking here.

All quotations shall be submitted by email to Lyle MacVey at lmacvey@nesc.k12.mn.us no later than 5 pm (CST) on December 6, 2011 - an extension has been granted until December 13, 2011.

All technical questions or requests for clarification of this proposal must be made in writing via email to Lyle MacVey at lmacvey@nesc.k12.mn.us before 5 pm (CST) on November 29, 2011.

Notice to bidders- OTN Structures- MN 1111-A40  click here for a copy of the notice

Release Date 8/22/2011

Outside Plant Construction

RELEASED - MN1111-A40-2011 (Sealed Bid)
Key Schedule Dates
Release Date - 11/08/2010
Pre-bidders conference - 11/30/2010
Bid date - 12/15/2010

OTHERS PENDING
- 2011 Construction RFP - Duluth Community Ring - Pending Late 4th 2010/Mid-Late 1st Qtr - (Pending weather and staking completion)
- 2012 Construction RFP release period - late 2nd / early 3rd quarter 2011
- 2012 Construction Award Announcements - mid-late 3rd quarter 2011

Transport and Switching Equipment
- 2012 Request for Information - Early Q1
- 2012 Request for Bid's - Mid Q1
- 2012 Transport Equipment Award - Q2

Instructions to bidders for miles to kilometer conversions for MN 1111-A40 can be found here for the NESC 2011 Middle Mile Fiber Project as of December 10, 2010.
Click here to review pages 5-10 of the instructions to bidders

Bid Book pages 107-146- Related to Construction Agreement
The bid book pages related to the construction agreement for MN 1111-A40 can be found by clicking here.  These pages may have been omitted due to a printing error.  Please review your bid book to make sure you have the completed outline of the construction agreement.  

Bidder list 
The attached letter from Compass Consultants Inc. list of contractors who have received notice to bidders as of November 29, 2010.  

Addendum Number 1 to NESC 2011 Middle Mile Fiber Project 515 Contract Plans and Specifications and prebid meeting notes.

Click here to review the attached Addendum Number 1 as submitted by Compass Consultants, Inc.

The above attachment is a complete copy of Addendum Number 1 for the Northeast Minnesota Middle Mile Fiber Project 515 Contract Plans and Specifications.  The notes from the Pre-Bid Conference held on November 30th, 2010 at the Northeast Service Cooperative, 5525 Emerald Avenue, Mt. Iron, MN  55768 are also attached.

Section BFO.  Buried Filled Fiber Optic Cable Assembly Units, Warning Tape Specifications, Revised, December 6th, 2010.

Click here to review the attached Warning Tape Additions as submitted by Compass Consultants, Inc.

Standard Form 1444- Classification and Rate Request for Fiber Splicer
The attached Standard Form 1444 can be found by clicking here for MN 1111-A40 and is also provided in the Bid Book.

Standard Form 1444 wage Classification and Rate Request for Fiber Splicer is subject to review and approval by the United States Department of Labor. Wage determination should be no lower than the lowest skilled trade per Davis Bacon Wages and will be submitted to United States Department of Labor for review and approval for the following counties in the State of Minnesota:  St. Louis, Lake and Carlton.

Davis Bacon crosswalk example is provided in the Bid Book for your reference. Contractors are required to crosswalk example for Fiber Splicer that meets Davis Bacon Prevailing Rates.

Standard Form 1444 for RUS Project MN 1111-A40 for Classification and Rate Request shall be filled out by contractors and submitted by 2:00 p.m. on December 15th, 2010 to Compass Consultants, Inc.  150 2nd St. SW, Perham, MN  56573 for Telecommunications Outside Plant Project.

Construction Bid Scoring Rubric
The rubric that will be used for evaluating the construction bids is now available for review. Seven categories are being evaluated; Pricing, Past Experience/Past Performance, Technical Qualifications/Staffing Levels, Business Stability and Financials, Qualified Bidder Location, Sub-Contracting/location, Wage Review - Davis-Bacon.
These are all areas we highly recommend you include in any bid preparation and submission. Be sure to include adequate detail with the bid response in order for us to properly evaluate the bid related to these areas.

You will find it as an attachment to this page.