Fiber Maintenance and Restoration Services

The City of Columbus is seeking a Universal Term Contract for fiber optic cable maintenance and restoration services under a Best Value Procurement model, with a base term of three years and two optional one-year extensions. The contract, identified as RFQ033329, will provide indefinite quantity delivery of labor, materials, parts, and supplies necessary to sustain and restore the City’s fiber network, with services required 24/7 including nights and weekends. Proposals must demonstrate the vendor’s capacity to respond to emergencies within four hours, maintain a minimum inventory of 5,000 feet of single-mode fiber for 24, 48, 144, and 288 strand counts, and provide resumes for all personnel involved. The evaluation is weighted at 35% for cost, 25% for capacity and efficacy, 20% for company stability and history, and 20% for past performance measured by client satisfaction on a 1–10 scale, with environmental certifications such as Green Seal or ISO 14001 serving as a tiebreaker. The City will issue written purchase orders to authorize work, and invoices must align with PO terms; estimated annual spending is up to $500,000, with a total potential contract value ranging from $1.5 million to $3 million over the full term. Contractors must comply with Ohio and Columbus municipal codes, carry $1 million in general liability insurance with the City named as additional insured, maintain workers’ compensation coverage, withhold Columbus city income tax from wages, and adhere to wage theft prevention laws. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the Bonfire portal by August 20, 2026, and are governed by Ohio law, with disputes subject to Franklin County courts. The contract allows termination for convenience with 30 days’ notice and prohibits price increases exceeding 15% without risk of cancellation, while also restricting assignment without the City’s written consent.