Iowa State University Ionwave #RFP-1001425

Iowa State University Rural Broadband Platform Installation at Three Iowa Tower Sites

Iowa State University is seeking qualified contractors to install advanced rural broadband platforms at three tower sites in Central Iowa as part of the ARA Wireless Living Lab initiative, supported by the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Food and Agriculture. - Government Buyer: - Iowa State University (ISU), with sponsorship from the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Food and Agriculture - ISU Procurement is the primary office - Project Scope: - Installation of rural broadband infrastructure at: - InfoBunker Tower (308 T Ave, Boone, IA) - Boone High School Tower (500 7th St, Boone, IA) - Gilbert StoryComm Tower (16244 550th Ave, Story City, IA) - Tasks include: - Mounting and aligning multiple antennas (notably Skylark, Keysight, CommScope, Ericsson, Alpha Wireless) - Installing Aviat radios and dishes for wireless backhaul - Setting up DDB OD-62DDXC equipment cabinet and other platforms - Providing and installing cable ladders, mounting hardware, and grounding systems (notably Site Pro 1 products) - Routing and connecting power, fiber, and Ethernet cables - Site-specific tasks such as replacing and redirecting Aviat radios/dishes to establish new wireless links - Structural analysis and compliance with electrical grounding standards - Site restoration after installation - OEMs and Key Vendors: - Skylark (antennas) - Aviat (radios and dishes) - DDB (equipment cabinets) - Site Pro 1 (cable ladders, mounting hardware) - Keysight (omni antennas) - CommScope (panel antennas) - Ericsson (AIR 6419 B77G antennas) - Alpha Wireless (AW3161 antennas) - Products and Quantities: - Skylark antennas (multiple, including Low-UHF Faros RU) - Aviat radios and dishes (multiple) - DDB OD-62DDXC equipment cabinet (1) - Site Pro 1 cable ladders (25+ sections), mount kits (various) - Keysight Omni antennas (quantity not specified) - CommScope SS-65M-R2 antennas (3) - Ericsson AIR 6419 B77G antennas (quantity not specified) - Alpha Wireless AW3161 antennas (quantity not specified) - Additional hardware: modular platforms, grounding kits, ice bridges, bolts, washers, and attachment kits - Unique Requirements: - Contractor must have prior experience with outdoor cellular and long-distance wireless backhaul network deployment - Strict background check and identification requirements for all personnel - Compliance with federal grant terms and detailed insurance requirements - Coordination with the ARA project team for equipment installation and interconnections - Site restoration and adherence to electrical grounding standards - Estimated Budget: - $100,000 for all three sites - Place of Performance: - All work to be performed at the three specified tower sites in Boone and Story City, Iowa

Description

Iowa State University is soliciting proposals from qualified contractors to install rural broadband platforms at three existing tower sites in Central Iowa: InfoBunker Tower, Boone High School Tower, and Gilbert StoryComm Tower. The work includes mounting antennas, installing and aligning dishes, setting up equipment cabinets, routing power, fiber, and Ethernet cables, and collaborating with the project team. A mandatory site walk-through is scheduled, and the project timeline targets a start date of June 1, 2026, with final completion by June 30, 2026. The estimated budget for all three sites is $100,000.

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