ESVBA Rate Study RFQ 001-2016

Description

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority (ESVBA) is accepting informal proposals until: 2:00 PM EST, August 31, 2016, from qualified consultants to conduct comprehensive Broadband Rate Study. The intent of the study is to independently assess and evaluate the ESVBA’s existing broadband rates and provide recommendations. The broad objective of the study is to adequately fund the ESVBA’s operations and capital costs while minimizing rates and promoting the deployment of Broadband technology throughout the counties of Accomack and Northampton. The study will be based on a review of the ESVBA’s Broadband funds and budgets, existing facilities, capital improvement plans, capital financing plan, current usage, future planned growth of the ESVBA and any other information deemed necessary. ESVBA is seeking qualified consultants to conduct comprehensive broadband rate study to independently assess and evaluate the ESVBA’s existing broadband rates in relation to other service providers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as well as, other similar providers in other areas. The broad objective of the study is to ensure that the ESVBA’s current, and future, operations and capital expenditures are funded while minimizing rates to the ESVBA’s end users, especially Wireless Service Providers (WISPS), which utilize the ESVBA network to provide services to their end user customers. The main study components are: 1. Compare ESVBA’s current Ethernet transport rates to similar providers. 2. Compare ESVBA’s current EVPL WISP transport rates to similar providers, if applicable. 3. Compare ESVBA’s current Dedicated Internet access rates to similar providers. 4. Compare ESVBA’s current financial sustainability to similar providers. 5. Compare ESVBA’s Capital and Operating Expenditures to similar providers. 6. Include, but do not limit to, comparison to the following providers. a. Mid-Atlantic Broadband (www.mbc-va.com) b. Maryland Broadband Cooperative (http://mdbc.us/) c. Cox Communications (https://www.cox.com) d. Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority (http://highspeedroanoke.net/) e. Nelson County Broadband Authority (http://www.nelsoncounty-va.gov/government/broadbandauthority/) f. Page County Broadband Authority (http://www.pagecounty.virginia.gov/212/BroadbandAuthority) g. Wired Road Authority (http://www.thewiredroad.net/node/1) Copies of the ESVBA’s current rates are available on the ESVBA’s website at www.esvba.com.