IFB Contract for On-Call FTTP Services

contractors for On-Call Services to all premises that request after hours service off the SHELD existing Gigabit Passive Optical Distribution Network. SHELD installed about 110 miles of fiber passing to about 7,700 premises. It is anticipated that request service drops from the MLP distribution system will continue into 32 FSA. The service offered shall be 1Gbps symmetric GPON with Calix or customers 3rd party wireless Router, and/or phone service to any who request it. This bid includes: On-Call FTTH Services includes all 3 SHELD service coverage areas of South Hadley, Leverett, and Shutesbury MA. All Bidders must submit at least 2 recommendations and samples of active contract for On-call Services with the bid package. The complete scope of work and contract requirements are described and detailed below and in the referenced material, the “Contract Documents.” The Contractor shall furnish all labor, services, materials, network equipment not supplied by SHELD, plant, machinery,

apparatus, appliances, tools, supplies and other things necessary to do all work required for the completion of each item of the Work and the Project as herein specified. The Work to be done and paid for, under any item, shall not be limited to the exact extent mentioned or described but shall include all incidental work necessary or customarily done for the completion of the Work herein. Contract Award There will be a primary contractor and a secondary contractor awarded for services under this IFB. Contract Term The contract will extend from the date of contract signing to the end of contract year, (approximately 5/1/2024 to 5/1/2025 or 12 months). The contract will be awarded as explained. The contract may be extended up to one (1) additional year, not to exceed a total of (3) years upon mutual agreement and only at SHELD’s sole option and discretion. If such extension occurs, renewal of the Payment Bond will be required. It is estimated that the amount of work in the extension year would roughly reflect that of the original contract year. 5 | P a g e Bidders’ Representation Each General Bidder (hereinafter called “Bidder”) by making a bid (hereinafter called “bid”) represents that: Prior to the submission of its proposal, each Bidder shall assume the responsibility for making a careful examination of and becoming fully acquainted with all Contract Documents. The failure or omission by any Bidder to receive or examine any form, instrument, contract or document, or to visit the site of the work to be performed, to acquaint the Bidder with conditions there existing, shall in no way relieve any Bidder from its obligations with respect to its proposal and any resultant contract. Bidder shall be required, at its own expense, to comply with all statutes, regulations, ordinances, and tests that may be applicable, and sign the Contract included with this IFB without modification. Bidders’ Qualification 1. You must comply with the attached policy statement on the Minority Business Enterprise Program. 2. You must comply with the payment of prevailing wage rates as set by the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development. All bids are subject to prevailing wage and weekly reporting. Wage rates are subject to the minimum rates per MGL c. 149, sec 26 to 27h inclusive. These rates are included in the bid documents. 3. The Contractor shall provide worker’s compensation insurance as required by Massachusetts Labor Laws and all other insurances as required herein. Request for Interpretation 1. Bidder shall promptly notify SHELD of any ambiguity, inconsistency, or error which it believes it may discover upon examination of the Contract Documents, the local conditions or site. 2. Bidders requiring clarification or interpretation of the Contract Documents shall make an email request to SHELD before April 1, 2024 referencing the required section for clarification to the following address: Bliswell@sheld.org , please CC: Kmendoza@sheld.org SHELD will answer such requests if received prior to April 1, 2024. 3. Any interpretation, correction or change in the Contract Documents shall be made by an Addendum, which will become part of the Contract Documents. SHELD shall not be held responsible for any oral instruction. 4. Addenda will be emailed by SHELD to every individual or firm on record as having requested, in writing, a set of Contract Documents. 5. Failure of SHELD to send, or of any bidder to receive, any such interpretation shall not relieve the bidder from any obligations under its bid as submitted, and all addenda or interpretations shall become part of the Contract Documents as if fully set forth herein. mailto:Bliswell@sheld.org mailto:Kmendoza@sheld.org 6 | P a g e Preparation of Bids 1. Bids shall be submitted as described within the bid package. Bidders must submit four (4) copies of the complete bid package forms. 2. All blanks on the bid form attachments shall be filled in by typewriting or manually in ink. Failure to fill in information may be regarded as no response and be cause for rejection of the bid. 3. Where so indicated, by the makeup of the bid form, sums shall be expressed in both words and numbers. In case of discrepancy between the two, the written number amount shall govern. 4. No internalizations, alterations, or erasures shall be made on the forms. 5. If additional space is required, it shall be noted on the Bid Pricing Form (Proposal Form) and included as a supplement attached on the Bidder’s letterhead. This attachment shall become part of the Proposal Form. Bids shall state a firm price for all required materials, equipment, work and services specified in the Proposal Form, in accordance with the Bid Documents. SHELD specifically reserves the right to reject any Proposal not submitted on the Proposal Form provided and/or not complying with this IFB. 6. In addition to the Proposal Form, each Bidder MUST submit the following: a. Bidders Certification Requirement (statement) b. Contractors Certification c. Evidence of Insurance Form d. Affirmative Action Plan e. References from previous projects of the same size scope or larger f. Any deviation from these specifications must be noted with the bid. The bidder shall provide a written basis why the deviation should be considered as acceptable. i. Exception/Clarifications to Instructions ii. Exceptions/Clarification to Specification 7. All contractors’ employees working for SHELD on this Contract must submit their current CORI Check and drug-free company programs that are in place. 8. Bidders are required to submit at least 2 examples of active on-call contracts with the submittal package. Once the Contract is awarded to a primary and secondary contractor, SHELD will require awarded contractors to adopt the existing Fiberspring on-call process for the term of this Contract with contractors. 7 | P a g e Bid Deposit and 50% Payment Bond 1. A 5% Bid Deposit in the form of a bank cashier’s check must accompany the bid submittal. 2. The successful bidder shall be required to furnish a 50% Payment Bond, from a Surety Company qualified to do business in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the sum of fifty percent of the contract price and which must be paid for by the Contractor. 3. The bonds shall be executed by a surety company licensed by the Massachusetts State Division of Insurance, with South Hadley Electrical Light Department as the payee. The bond shall be filed with the General Manager within five (5) working days after receipt by the successful bidders of a copy of the fully executed Contract. (M.G.L. c.30, Section 39M). Insurance 1. Insurance