Iowa State University Ionwave #RFP-1001425 Addendum 1

ISU Rural Broadband Platform Installation at Three Iowa Tower Sites

Iowa State University is seeking contractors to install and upgrade rural broadband platforms at three tower sites in Central Iowa as part of the ARA Wireless Living Lab, funded by the National Science Foundation and USDA NIFA. - Government Buyer: - Iowa State University of Science and Technology (ISU) - Project managed under ARA: Wireless Living Lab for Smart and Connected Rural Communities - OEMs and Vendors Mentioned: - Skylark - Aviat - DDB - Keysight - CommScope - Ericsson - Alpha Wireless - Site Pro 1 - Products and Equipment Requested: - Skylark antennas (Low-UHF Faros RU) - Aviat radios and dishes - DDB OD-62DDXC equipment cabinet (1 unit) - Keysight Omni antennas - CommScope SS-65M-R2 panel antennas (3 units) - Ericsson AIR 6419 B77G antennas - Alpha Wireless AW3161 antennas - Site Pro 1 cable ladders, mounts, V-frames, and modular platforms - Heavy-duty mounting hardware, ice bridge components, and grounding systems - Services Requested: - Installation, mounting, and alignment of antennas, radios, and dishes at InfoBunker Tower, Boone High School Tower, and Gilbert StoryComm Tower - Routing and connection of power, fiber, and Ethernet cables - Grounding of all electronic and metallic components - Installation of equipment cabinets and additional ARA-provided equipment (PDUs, FDUs, weather stations) - Site restoration and compliance with electrical grounding standards - Weekly project check-in meetings and record-keeping - Testing and project management - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Aviat-certified installers required for Aviat equipment to maintain warranties - Mandatory site walk participation - Compliance with federal grant terms and robust insurance coverage - Contractors must have experience with outdoor cellular and wireless backhaul networks - Background checks required - Optional work items at InfoBunker site are deferred - Estimated Contract Value: - $100,000 for all three sites - Primary Places of Performance and Delivery: - InfoBunker Tower, 308 T Ave, Boone, IA 50036 - Boone High School Tower, 500 7th St, Boone, IA 50036 - Gilbert StoryComm Tower, 16244 550th Ave, Story City, IA 50248 - Iowa State University, 313 Durham Center, Ames, IA 50011 - Period of Performance: - Preferred start in early June, substantial completion within three weeks, final completion within one month; alternate timelines may be proposed

Description

Iowa State University of Science and Technology (ISU) is soliciting qualified contractors to provide installation services for a rural broadband platform at three existing tower sites: InfoBunker Tower in Boone, Boone High School Tower in Boone, and Gilbert StoryComm Tower in Story City, Iowa. The work includes mounting antennas, installing and aligning dishes, setting up equipment cabinets, routing power, fiber, and Ethernet cables, and collaborating with the ARA project team. The project is funded by the National Science Foundation and other federal sources, with an estimated budget of $100,000 for all three sites. A mandatory site walk is scheduled for April 22, 2025, and proposals must be submitted online by May 7, 2026.

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