Fiber Optic Network Public Private Partnership

The City of San Buenaventura is seeking qualified contractors, network builders, and internet service providers to enter into a long-term public-private partnership (P3) to expand and operate a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. This initiative leverages the City's existing 30.7-mile fiber backbone to provide broadband access to approximately 49,000 serviceable locations, representing 90% of the City. The selected partner will be responsible for the private investment, construction of lateral distribution and service drops, day-to-day network operations, maintenance, and the retail marketing and sale of symmetrical gigabit FTTP services. Additionally, the partner must provide two diverse 10 Gbps direct internet access feeds for non-commercial City use and maintain network operability according to a negotiated Service Level Agreement. Proposals are due by September 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST, and must be submitted as both a sealed hard copy and a PDF electronic copy. The City will evaluate responses based on a 100-point scale, focusing on price and terms (40 points), qualifications and experience (30 points), and the strength of references (30 points). High value is placed on the ability to secure grants, a willingness to provide match funding, and a commitment to prioritizing underserved or low-income areas. The contract is governed by the laws of the State of California, and the City reserves the right to award the project to a single partner or multiple proposers for different tasks. Required submissions include a cover letter, detailed company background, and a list of any exceptions to the general provisions.