Northwoods DOCSIS VCMTS R-PHY Network Upgrade

The University of Michigan seeks proposals from qualified Suppliers of Virtual Cable Modem Termination Systems (vCMTS) and Remote PHY Device (RPD) nodes. The major goal of this project is upgrade an existing Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) DOCSIS 3.0 system providing internet service to graduate student residents in our Northwoods Graduate Housing. The University of Michigan (“University”) is not liable in any manner or to any extent for any cost or expense incurred by the supplier in the preparation, submission, presentation or any other action connected with proposing or otherwise responding to this RFP. Such exemption from liability applies whether such costs are incurred directly by the supplier or indirectly through the supplier’s agents, employees, assigns or others, whether related or not to the supplier. In submitting a proposal, Supplier agrees that all materials associated with, attached to, or referenced by the submitted proposal will become the property of the University and may be incorporated into a subsequent contractual agreement between the successful supplier and the University in an order of precedence as follows: (1) Contract Terms and Conditions; (2) Statement of Work; and (3) RFP. The University expects to enter into an agreement with the successful supplier for a 5 year period. Response to this RFP confirms an understanding that this is not a contract or offer of business by the University. The University’s standard terms and conditions will apply to the contract as a result of this RFP, and are included as an attachment. BACKGROUND ON THE UNIVERSITY The primary scope of this RFP includes the University of Michigan Northwoods Graduate Housing campuses located at the Ann Arbor campus. The mission of the University is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. With nearly 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at 19 schools and colleges on the Ann Arbor campus, the University is highly ranked nationally and throughout the world. The College of Engineering, College of LSA (Literature, Science, and the Arts), and the Ross School of Business are a few of the top choices for students. BACKGROUND ON THE REQUEST Northwoods Graduate Housing resident internet service is provided by a traditional Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) plant system utilizing an integrated DOCSIS cable modem termination system (CMTS) serving conventional HFC nodes for distribution. The network currently serves approximately 1,200 DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems, with an average of approximately 125 cable modems per service group. The current network consists of 5 production 2x2 split nodes plus 1 office/test node, resulting in a total of 11 service groups (SGs). The upgrade project involves the complete replacement the CMTS and HFC nodes to a modern Distributed Access Architecture (DAA) incorporating a Virtual Cable Modem Termination System (vCMTS) and Remote PHY Device (RPD) nodes to enable multigigabit internet services. The primary goal of this upgrade is to enable 1 Gbps symmetrical service to each subscriber upon initial deployment with DOCSIS 3.1+ High Split (204/1218 MHz) configuration. Following completion of the high-split plant upgrade, there is a further objective to deploy DOCSIS 4.0 in future years.