RFP - OTN Feasibility Study - Labrador Island Link

Newfoundland Labrador Hydro has issued solicitation 106907JB for a feasibility study to evaluate replacement and upgrade options for the Labrador Island Link optical transport networks. The scope of work involves the submission of a final engineering report focusing on two primary networks: Optical Network Path A, a 100G path from Soldiers Pond to Churchill Falls using 24 count OPGW fiber, and Optical Network Path B, a 10G path from Soldiers Pond to Muskrat Falls utilizing various third-party links and OPGW/ADSS fiber. The selected supplier will be required to identify replacement products for existing Ciena equipment, analyze transmission mediums, and provide weighted recommendations based on network scalability and life cycle costing. The contract has a maximum fee ceiling of 50,000 dollars and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2023, unless extended. Proposals are due by October 30, 2026, and will be evaluated through a four-stage process covering mandatory requirements, technical evaluation, pricing, and final negotiations. Technical scoring is heavily weighted toward experience in the telecom and utility industries, optical networks, and feasibility studies, while pricing accounts for 30 points of the total score. Awarded contractors must maintain 2,000,000 dollars in professional liability insurance and provide electronically verifiable digital performance and labour and materials bonds.