Installation and Managed Operations of Wireless Networking Internet ServicesBackbone

Introduction The City of Escalon (“City”) invites qualified, available and interested firm(s) to submit written proposals to provide contracted Installation and Managed Operations of a Wireless Networking Internet Services Backbone. 2. Background Location: Escalon is located in San Joaquin County, California, with a population of approximately 7,800 people. Development and Community Services Department: This is the City team responsible for managing and operating all community development efforts, including Planning, Building Safety, and Engineering activities. The Department acts as a clearinghouse for development projects, coordinating plan submittals with all pertinent divisions, departments, and agencies. The Development and Community Services Manager currently oversees the various activities and personnel within the Department. Engineering Division: The group responsible for the coordination, plan check and construction inspection of all public improvements through development

projects. Plans, engineering designs for capital improvement projects, reviews of subdivision and parcel maps, plot line adjustments and all legal property description changes are typical items the Engineering Division reviews and approves. The Engineering Division reviews maps, environmental documentation, and proposed plans and develops and implements master plans for water, sewer, storm drainage, streets and traffic circulation patterns and designs to ensure all are built in accordance with City, County, and State standards and specifications. This department also manages the design and construction of capital projects for the City. The City does not internally maintain engineering staff focused on Information Technology or Internet Service Infrastructure and is therefore looking for qualified, professional firm(s) to provide all Wireless Internet Services for the City, its residents and businesses. No previous work has been undertaken in this specific domain; however, the city is committed to modernizing its infrastructure to meet the demands of its residents and businesses. Current Situation: Existing Infrastructure: The City has multiple locations, each served by the city’s computer network to allow for internet, e-mail, cameras, and file access. The Corporation Yard, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Community Center are connected to City Hall via wireless point-to-point radio links. These first links were installed in the early 2000s and have been upgraded multiple times to meet the city’s growing bandwidth needs. The point-to-point links are nearing the end of their useful life and having trouble delivering connections that are strong and fast enough to meet the city’s needs. To offer better service and achieve cost savings, many cities are moving away from having their own links and engaging with internet service providers (ISP’s) to provide them with a managed network service. These agreements became increasingly popular after the 2018 FCC Small Cell order required public agencies to open their assets to private carriers where possible. Expected Performance: The City requesting symmetric (the upload speed is the same as the download speed) connections with a target minimum connection speed of 500 megabits per second (Mbps). A target speed was requested instead of a guaranteed speed because not all locations are equally serviceable. Agreement Duration: The agreement is expected to be offered and agreed upon by the provider for a minimum of 5 years. (based upon the full build-out of 20 sites). Additionally, the project has been designed to allow for extensive future growth to incorporate traffic cameras, license plate readers, and the city’s SCADA system. 3. Objectives, Goals and Project Overview Objective: The City has interest in completing the project to install a high-quality Wireless Networking and Internet Services backbone across the City of Escalon and its surrounding rural areas. Goal: The goal is to allow the City to improve communications and operations within internal departments and city services as well as provide reliable, high-speed internet access to residents, businesses, and municipal facilities. Project Overview: The City of Escalon, located in California, is seeking proposals from Wireless Internet Providers for the installation of a Wireless Networking and Internet Services backbone. This project aims to enhance connectivity and access to high-speed internet services for residents, businesses, and visitors in Escalon. The project will leverage existing city facilities and infrastructure to deploy a robust wireless network that meets industry standards and state requirements. Project Objectives: Improve Internet Access: Provide high-speed internet access to underserved areas of Escalon, enhancing connectivity for residents and businesses. Enhance Connectivity: Establish a reliable and secure wireless network backbone to support data transmission and communication. Promote Economic Development: Stimulate economic growth and development by providing businesses with access to high-speed internet services. Support Municipal Services: Enable the City of Escalon to enhance its municipal services, such as public safety, emergency response, and administrative operations. Ensure Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, including California state requirements for wireless networking and internet services. 4. Scope of Work – Drafted Primary Location / Main Distribution Frame Location The City of Escalon Police Department building is targeted as the primary facility to distribute services to its municipal facilities, residents, and businesses. City of Escalon Police Department Address: 2040 McHenry Ave, Escalon, CA 95320 Scope of Work Requested from Wireless Internet Service Providers: Conduct a comprehensive site survey to assess existing infrastructure and determine optimal locations for wireless access points. Designing a wireless networking solution that meets the connectivity needs of Escalon, including coverage area, bandwidth requirements, and scalability. Procuring and installing wireless networking equipment, including access points, controllers, and network switches. Configuring the wireless network for optimal performance and security, including encryption, authentication, and access control measures. Testing the wireless network to ensure reliability, performance, and compliance with industry standards. Providing training for City of Escalon staff on the operation and maintenance of the wireless network (if applicable). Implementing a maintenance and support plan to ensure the ongoing operation and performance of the wireless network. Expected Outcomes: Expanded Internet Access: Increased access to high-speed internet services for residents, businesses, and visitors in Escalon. Enhanced Connectivity: Improved connectivity and data transmission capabilities for municipal services and public use. Economic Benefits: Stimulated economic growth and development through improved access to online resources and services. Improved Services: Enhanced municipal services, including public safety, emergency response, and administrative operations. Compliance: Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and requirements for wireless networking and internet services in California. Technical Requirements: Define the technical specifications and requirements for the wireless networking infrastructure, including wireless access points, controllers, network switches, and backhaul equipment. Specify the expected performance metrics, such as network speed, coverage area, and reliability. Detail any integration requirements with existing infrastructure or systems. Implementation Plan: Outline the proposed implementation approach, including key milestones, deliverables, and timelines. Identify the resources, personnel, and equipment required for each phase of the implementation. Describe the testing and optimization process to ensure the solution meets the City of Escalon's requirements. Network Security: Detail the proposed network security measures to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. Specify any encryption protocols, authentication methods, and security policies to be implemented. Describe how the security of the wireless network will be monitored and maintained over time. Monitoring and Management: Outline the proposed approach for monitoring and managing the wireless network infrastructure. Describe the tools, software, and protocols that will be used for network monitoring, performance optimization, and troubleshooting. Specify the frequency and method of reporting on network performance and status to the City of Escalon. Training and Support: Provide a plan for training City of Escalon staff on the operation and maintenance of the wireless network infrastructure. Outline the ongoing support and maintenance services that will be provided, including response times, escalation procedures, and service level agreements. Compliance and Documentation: Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations, standards, and best practices for wireless networking and internet services. Provide comprehensive documentation, including network diagrams, configurations, and user manuals, to support the implementation and operation of the wireless network. Environmental Considerations: Address any environmental considerations, such as power consumption, electromagnetic interference, and environmental impact assessments, related to the installation and operation of the wireless network infrastructure. Budget and Cost Control: Provide a detailed budget for the project, including all costs associated with equipment, installation, maintenance, and support. Outline cost control measures to ensure the project stays within budget and any contingencies for unexpected expenses. Quality Assurance: Detail the quality assurance processes and procedures that will be implemented to ensure the quality and reliability of the wireless network infrastructure. Specify the metrics and criteria that will be used to measure the success of the project and ensure it meets the City of Escalon's requirements. By providing a detailed project overview for this Request for Proposal, Wireless Internet Providers can demonstrate their understanding of the project requirements and their ability to deliver a comprehensive solution that meets the needs of the City of Escalon. By addressing these scope of work criteria, Wireless Internet Providers can clearly define the tasks, deliverables, and expectations for the installation and implementation of the Wireless Networking and Internet Services backbone in the City of Escalon. 5. Proposal Submission Guidelines Proposal Format: Proposals must be submitted in a clear, concise, and organized format. Use of standard fonts and font sizes (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point) is recommended. Include a table of contents for easy navigation. Submission Deadline: The deadline for submitting proposals is Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 3:00 pm. Late submissions will not be accepted. Submission Method: Proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format to Jaylen French, Interim City Manager at jfrench@cityofescalon.org . The subject line of the email should include "Proposal Submission: Installation and Managed Operations of Wireless Networking Internet Services Backbone." Cover Page: Include a cover page with the following information: Title of the proposal Name of the proposing company Contact information (address, phone number, email address) for the primary contact person Date of submission Executive Summary: Provide a brief summary of the proposal, highlighting key points and the proposed solution's benefits. Proposal Body: Clearly address each section of the RFP in the order presented. Provide detailed information on the proposed solution, including technical specifications, implementation plan, and timeline. Cost Proposal: Include a detailed cost breakdown for the proposed solution, including equipment, installation, maintenance, and any other relevant costs. Clearly state any assumptions or exclusions that may affect the cost. References: Provide references from previous projects of similar scope and scale. Include contact information for each reference. Certifications and Licenses: Provide documentation of any certifications or licenses required to perform the proposed work. Appendices: Include any additional supporting documentation, such as case studies, technical specifications, or organizational charts, in the appendices. Contact Information: Include the name, title, phone number, and email address of the primary contact person for the proposal. Terms and Conditions: Acknowledge acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined in the RFP, including confidentiality requirements and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Include any proposed Terms and Conditions the City may need to consider or establish an agreement. Review Process: Proposers will be notified of the outcome of the proposal evaluation process by the endof July, if not sooner. Questions and Clarifications: Any questions or requests for clarifications regarding the RFP should be submitted in writing to Jaylen French, Interim City Manager at jfrench@cityofescalon.org by May 9, 2024. Answers to questions will be provided to all proposers by May 23, 2024. Addenda: Any addenda or updates to the RFP will be communicated to all proposers via email. Proposers are responsible for incorporating any changes into their proposals. By adhering to these submission guidelines, Wireless Internet Providers can ensure that their proposals are complete, well-organized, and compliant with the requirements of the RFP for installing a Wireless Networking and Internet Services backbone in the City of Escalon.