HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 Attachment 2 - Uptown Services LLCA Proposal To Conduct A
Community -Wide Broadband Study
for
July 2022
Prepared By:
Uptown Services, LLC
7324 Cortez Lane
Boulder, CO 80303
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
CONTENTS
I. COMPANY INFORMATION AND QUALIFICATIONS .............I
A.
UPTOWN & CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.....................................................................................1
B.
FIRM CONTACT INFORMATION............................................................................................1
C.
YEAR ESTABLISHED AND FINANCIAL STABILITY.................................................................2
D.
PRACTICE AREAS.................................................................................................................2
E.
MUNICIPAL BROADBAND EXPERIENCE................................................................................2
F.
PROPOSED PROJECT TEAM & SUBCONTRACTORS................................................................7
II. DETAILED WORK PLAN................................................................8
A.
TASK 1: COMPREHENSIVE MARKET & CUSTOMER DEMAND ANALYSIS ..............................8
B.
TASK 2: EVALUATE POTENTIAL TO UTILIZE EXISTING TDPUC INFRASTRUCTURE ASSETS 12
C.
TASK 3: IDENTIFY MIDDLE & LAST MILE PROPOSED ROUTES & SERVICE AREA(S)..........
13
D.
TASK 4: IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE FUNDING SOURCES.....................................................14
E.
TASK 5: EVALUATION OF BUSINESS MODEL OPTIONS.......................................................17
F.
TASK 6: DEVELOP, ISSUE, AND EVALUATE SERVICE PROVIDER PARTNERSHIP RFP ..........18
G.
TASK 7: RECOMMENDATION, REPORTS, & PRESENTATIONS..............................................19
H.
PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEDULE/TIMELINE.........................................................................19
I.
LOCALINVOLVEMENT.......................................................................................................20
III. COST PROPOSAL..........................................................................
20
IV. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ............................................
21
A.
REFERENCES......................................................................................................................21
B.
UPTOWN CLIENT LIST.......................................................................................................22
C.
EXAMPLE WORK PRODUCT: CLACKAMAS COUNTY FIBER BUSINESS PLAN ......................23
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
I. Company Information and Qualifications
A. Uptown & Client Relationship
Our mission is to provide our clients with the most accurate and complete assessment of their
particular broadband opportunity so that clients arrive at the right answer for their specific situation.
We do feel that we have unique credentials and experience compared to other consulting firms that
compete in this space as follows.
• The municipal/governmental broadband sector is the sole focus of Uptown's consulting
business. We feel this sets us apart from other consulting firms who are not specialists
to these sectors and have a limited understanding of the specific needs and objectives of
public entities.
• Our sole focus in completing this or any consulting project would be to represent your
best interests. We are vendor neutral and advocate for our clients to further their interests
relative to business decisions and strategies that protect their financial interest as well as
any vendor negotiations and decisions that involve client resources. We consider
ourselves a client advocate or owner's agent.
• Both Neil and Dave had extensive corporate careers with some of the largest incumbent
providers (AT&T Broadband, US WEST, TCI, etc.). We learned the industry by
operating in it as managers. There are a surprising number of consultants that have never
been an employee of an Internet Service Provider or telecommunications operator. We
utilize all available best practices, samples, similar industries, business plans and models
(both successful and not) to leverage this industry experience as much possible.
• Our approach to broadband planning and feasibility assessment is conservative and
practical. When our financial analysis indicates a fiber initiative would not be financially
feasible, we say so.
• We are a full -service consulting firm covering practice area expertise across business
plans/feasibility studies, design, and implementation consulting services. By going
beyond planning with 9 fiber implementations completed or in progress, we have a
feedback loop for our plans during the implementation phase of a project through actual
costs, actual revenue, etc. This deployment experience provides the best possible quality
data and inputs for our business planning engagements.
B. Firm Contact Information
Company Name
Uptown Services, LLC
Address
7324 Cortez Lane
Boulder, CO 80303
Dave Stockton, Principal
Email: dstocktongLiptownservices.com
Office: (480) 515-6290
Mobile: 404 641-3000
Principals
Neil Shaw, Principal
Email: nshawALiptownservices.com
Office: (303) 554-5854
Mobile: 720 320-8332
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
C. Year Established and Financial Stability
Uptown Services (Uptown) began providing consulting services in 1997, so we are now in our 25th
year of providing broadband consulting to the municipal sector.
Uptown is a privately -held S Corp with both Principals holding a 50% equity stake. The firm has no
debt and has the financial resources to complete the project.
D. Practice Areas
We support our clients with the following consulting service practice areas:
• Quantitative market research surveys
• Qualitative market research including depth interviews and focus groups
• Qualitative market research including depth interviews (commercial) and focus groups
• Feasibility studies
• Grant funded project analysis and application preparation support
• Business plan development and strategy advising
• Fiber system design & engineering
• Outside plant construction management
• Implementation support services to assist clients in launching broadband systems across
a full range of functional areas
• Staffing of operations and management personnel
We work with existing broadband operators as well as entities considering deploying these systems.
Our services and expertise cover the full potential of this industry including local telephony, video,
high speed Internet access, and smart grid.
E. Municipal Broadband Experience
1. Overview
Uptown Services has provided leading edge consulting services to municipalities and utilities
considering entering the broadband services sector since 1999. Our services and expertise cover the
full potential of this industry including all broadband applications, various technologies and business
structure models. We have served over 90 municipal broadband clients that are listed in the appendix
to this proposal.
Select examples of our firm's scope of consulting services provided for these clients are presented in
the table below. Uptown has established a strong track record as a consulting advisor to numerous
municipal broadband systems across a full range of functional expertise cover planning, business case
development, financial analysis, market research and analysis, business operations, system design,
technical planning, and system implementation.
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
Services Provided & Expertise
Detail
We have developed a leading -edge
Uptown has conducted 38 comprehensive broadband market
quantitative market survey approach to
research studies using quantitative market research and total
evaluate the unique fiber potential of
sample of over 16,000.
each specific community
We have completed over 40 municipal
These feasibility studies have been used as the basis to raise
broadband feasibility studies
over $480M in funding to build new fiber networks
We have launched 8 fiber systems as part
Uptown was the implementation consultant for Sallisaw, OK
of the start-up team and advising or
(2005); Morristown, TN (2006); Pulaski, TN (2007);
completing functional tasks across all areas.
Tullahoma, TN (2008); Wilson, NC (2008), Longmont, CO
(2014), Hillsboro, OR (2020), and Glenwood Springs, CO
(2021). These systems are successful and are `case study'
systems referenced by the FTTH Council and Broadband
Communities. Uptown is currently assisting its 9'
implementation client, Beverly Hills, CA.
We have implemented very successful
Example: Uptown worked with Columbia, TN to overhaul their
turn -around plans with existing
product pricing and packaging, implement technical upgrades,
broadband systems that needed to
and launch voice services. The result was a reversal of
improve their operating performance
subscriber declines and an increase of annual cash flow by
$200k
We have designed and engineered the
Uptown has been contracted to engineer last mile and middle
fiber networks of both last mile and
mile fiber systems for 14 fiber systems. We have either
middle systems
completed or are under contract to complete over 3,000 miles
of plant
We have staffed the management team to
Uptown has been contracted to hire, train, and staff the
operate a municipal broadband system
operating management team for the City of Beverly Hills.
during the start-up phase
These Uptown employees cover network engineering,
marketing, sales/account management, and customer service
roles
We have devised and implemented
Uptown has designed and implemented marketing and/or sales
successful marketing and sales programs
programs for several new and existing FTTP systems
We have served as an expert witness and
Uptown principal Dave Stockton has served as an expert
testified as such in court actions involving
witness on 3 municipal broadband federal cases
municipal broadband
2. Functional Expertise & Experience
a. Experience with Broadband Technology & Network Solutions
Uptown has been developing broadband architectures and designing FTTP networks since 1999.
This experience spans the evolution of FTTP technology from the early days of active Ethernet to
the current gigabit passive optical network (GPON and NG-PON2) standards. Design approaches
are tailored to the needs of the given client and application. From backbone middle mile to end user
last mile, we have the experience required to address each client's unique requirements.
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
Uptown staff has completed/are completing designs for 13 fiber networks since 2006:
• 100 mile / 7,400 passing FTTP system for Concord Municipal Light Plant
• 200 mile / 15,000 passing FTTP system for Cedar Falls Utilities
• 100 mile / 6,500 passing FTTP system for the City of Dover, Ohio
• 300 mile / 24,000 passing FTTP system for the City of Wilson, NC
• 100 mile SCADA / middle mile backbone for Delta Montrose Electric Association
• 450 mile / 39,000 passing FTTP system for the City of Longmont
• 1,000 mile / 7,500 passing FTTP system for San Luis Valley REC (work in process)
• 100 mile / 15,000 passing FTTP system for City of Beverly Hills, CA
• 400 mile / 10,000 passing FTTP system for Town of Estes Park, CO
• 150 mile / 15,000 passing FTTP system for City of Glenwood Springs, CO
• 300 miles SCADA / middle mile backbone for Poudre Valley REA
• Multiple greenfield subdivision FTTP infrastructure designs for the City of Hillsboro, OR
• 38 mile / 2,000 passing FTTP system for Town of Mountain Village, CO
b. Experience with Financial Analysis & Fiscal Planning
Uptown has completed over 40 broadband feasibility studies since 1999, which gives us a unique
understanding what it takes to build a first-rate study. As a result of these studies, Uptown business
case financials have been used as the supporting financial analysis and justification to secure $480M
in public funding for municipal broadband networks across 15 projects:
• Spanish Fork Community Network - $7.5M in bond financing
• Alameda Power and Telecom - $33M in debt refinancing
• Sallisaw Municipal Authority - $6.9M in original financing
• City of Wilson, NC - $28M in original financing
• Tullahoma Utilities Board - $18M in original financing
• Salisbury, NC - $33M in original financing
• Clarksville Department of Electricity - $17.5M in additional financing
• Concord Municipal Light Plant - $4.5M town meeting authorization to borrow for smart
grid network
• Cedar Falls Utilities - $27M in financing for FTTH upgrade of existing system
• Cedar Falls Utilities - $873K in grant funding for wireless and FTTH rural broadband
expansion project
• City of Longmont, CO - $45M in original financing
• City of Beverly Hills, CA - $35M in equity funding via General Fund
• City of Fort Collins, CO - $150M in original financing
• City of Hillsboro, OR — $70M in equity funding via General Fund
• City of Glenwood Springs, CO - $9M in original financing
Uptown has substantial expertise in analyzing the financial feasibility of fiber networks. Uptown has
developed a proprietary Full Service Network Business Model (FSN) to conduct all financial analysis
as required by the client. The FSN Model was developed by Uptown to evaluate the financial risks and
benefits of offering voice, video and data services to multiple market segments (residential and
commercial) over a broadband network. With over 240 inputs and 1,200 rows of output data, this tool
accounts for all variables that determine revenue, expense, and capital costs.
Uptown's financial model is fully adaptable to generate various scenario analyses and has the embedded
logic to self -identify the most sensitive variables that drive financial risk. Inputs can be changed on the
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
fly and outcomes can be presented in back -back fashion. Uptown is conservative using its financial input
estimates, and uses tangible input sources such as recent bids (from its implementation projects), vendor
quotes/budgetary pricing sourced specifically for the Client's study, and actual municipal FTTP system
metrics (via Uptown's client base). Our financial modeling covers all applicable capital costs, operating
expenses, and revenues to operate an FTTP system as either a wholesaler or retailer.
c. Experience with Regulatory & Legal Considerations
Because both Uptown Principals have been in the industry for nearly 40 years, we have developed a
detailed understanding of the regulatory and legal climate surrounding broadband. Fortunately,
broadband itself (Internet and data services) are considered "Information Services" and are very
lightly regulated, unlike Telecommunications Services. The main emphasis is to understated and
incorporate into the study and state -level statute requirements as it related to broadband, and, in
particular, any restrictions or procedural requirements that a public sector entity must adhere to in
planning and/or implementing broadband services either directly or through a service provider
partnership.
d. Experience with Broadband Services
In addition to the feasibility studies that include a business planning component mentioned above,
Uptown has completed a number of client projects with existing broadband systems who are in need
of strategic analysis and business plan support, either to devise a plan to improve financial
performance, or in other cases, to develop a business plan to expand an existing fiber system
(typically middle -mile) into a full last -mile build out.
These clients may be interested in improving operating performance, expanding into additional
services, expanding their system footprint, or requiring a detailed understanding of long-term
financing needs and options. In this case, Uptown brings substantial industry benchmarking data and
former operating experience to evaluate the options available to the client and identify performance
areas that can be improved. Some example projects involving business planning are:
• Cedar Falls Utilities: Evaluated the ability and financial impact of expanding this HFC
system into voice services, deploying wireless services in an adjacent rural service area and
upgrading current system to FTTH.
• Riviera Utilities: Evaluated the ability and financial impact of expanding this HFC system
into Internet and voice services. Also evaluated potential system sale valuation.
• Clarksville Department of Electricity: Created a 5-year business plan and identified
incremental funding requirements which were subsequently approved.
• Chelan County PUD: Completed financial analysis and benchmarking of operating
performance and recommended operational improvements. Explored a number of financial
strategies and identified the most viable go -forward plan which was subsequently approved.
• Shrewsbury Electric & Cable Operations: Completed financial analysis and product and
technical strategy review of their existing broadband system.
• Bristol Virginia Utilities: Assisted with their transition from QAM to IP video architecture
for their existing broadband system and assisted with video product strategy.
• Columbia Power & Water Systems: Completed a 5 Year Strategic Plan for their existing
broadband system in 2013. In 2020 we completed a second business planning project to
develop a 3-year plan.
• City of Morganton, NC: Completed a 3 Year Strategic Plan in 2015 for their existing
broadband system. Identified 5 tactical changes to their business that resulted in a reversal
of operating cash flow from decline to growth. In 2020, was again retained and completed
an update to their 3 Year Plan for 2021-2023.
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
e. Project Management Experience
Uptown has served as the implementation consultant for eight municipal broadband greenfield start-
ups, and are currently assisting what will be our 9'. In this capacity we are involved in all functional
areas of the new broadband division and are a key player on the start-up team. We not only advise,
but also complete functional tasks as a contributing team member while the new organization is still
staffing. These projects require Uptown to complete tasks from the initial feasibility study (research
and analysis tasks) through to implementation, where we define services, processes, select vendors,
and develop the operations strategy and methods.
Our role in providing implementation support is both broad (across all major functional areas) and
deep (completing detailed tasks as part of the working team). In addition to having the
implementation experience the Client would require should it proceed to implement an FTTP system,
our implementation experience also provides us with improved business case and planning skills
through our understanding of the actual costs and budgeting requirements to implement an FTTP
system. Our role as consultants on these implementation projects gives us `real world' insight into
the key financial and operating metrics that make for a more realistic business plan.
L Experience in Working with Service Providers/Potential Partners
We have worked with the following classes of service providers as part of our support role on both
planning projects and implementation engagements:
• Private -Sector Internet Service Providers: We have completed projects to both informally
solicit (through online meetings) and evaluate interest in pursuing partnership opportunities
on behalf of our clients, with a particular focus on doing so under a grant -eligible project
definition. We are currently engaged in two projects where Uptown has developed a formal
RFP process to be used to solicit service provider proposal under a wholesale Public -Private
Partnership model.
• Municipal Operating Partners: We have evaluated, and our clients have implemented,
what we refer to as the "Own and Operate with an Operating Partner" business model. This
involves a public sector entity that is going to construct a broadband system entering into a
5+ year agreement with an existing service provider (typically another municipal provider
that is relatively local to the new provider to essentially outsource specific functions. This
approach reduces the initial staffing demand and leverages the existing assets and expertise
of the operating partner.
• Wholesale Voice Providers: We have conducted vendor selection processes and written
RFPs to select a wholesale voice provider. This work also includes the detailed onboarding
process to launch voice services
• Tier 1 and 2 Transport Providers: We have negotiated transport circuit leases and fiber
IRU trades with transport providers such as United and Zayo. This work has also included
negotiating the leasing of fiber laterals to these providers (e.g. to provide service to a cellular
tower).
• Bandwidth Providers: We have completed numerous negotiations for Direct Internet
Access (DIA) or leasing of bandwidth -only at major POP locations with providers such as
Hurricane Electric and Cogent.
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
F. Proposed Project Team & Subcontractors
1. Dave Stockton, Principal
Dave Stockton, Uptown Services Principal, will serve as the Project Manager. His contact
information is included in the cover letter to this proposal.
Dave has 35 years of experience in the telecommunications, cable, and high-speed Internet sectors.
He spent 17 years in management positions at Northwestern Bell, US WEST, MediaOne, and AT&T
Broadband and was Vice President of Marketing & Sales for a 600k subscriber system in Atlanta.
For the last 18 years he has been a Principal with Uptown Services. In that capacity he has completed
36 feasibility studies. In completing these studies he has overseen market research for each study
with total quantitative research sample of over 10,000 residential respondents, evaluated competitive
offerings and created product strategies and plans, and completed detailed financial analysis and pro
forma development. A number of these feasibility studies have subsequently deployed FTTP
systems.
In addition to his leadership roles in private sector operating units, during his consulting career he
has assisted in multi -year projects with the start-up of 8 municipal FTTP systems, playing a key role
in the functional areas of developed marketing and sales plans, defining product strategy and pricing,
creating brand identities, securing video programming contracts, securing backbone connectivity,
evaluating operating support and billing systems, assisting with staffing, developing budgets and
operating forecasts/reporting, establishing methods and procedures, and negotiating wholesale
partner agreements with CLEC partners.
Mr. Stockton has a BS in Economics and Statistics from the University of Minnesota and an MBA
from Arizona State University.
2. Neil Shaw, Principal
Neil brings 34 years of experience in telecommunications to the team. He has an extensive
understanding of various broadband network infrastructure alternatives and the financial dynamics
that are critical to making decisions in this industry. Mr. Shaw has a BS in Electrical Engineering
from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Examples of relevant
broadband experience are:
As vice president of marketing at TCI Internet Services, he guided the launch of the @Home Network
in the first three markets deployed worldwide. These were TCI's Freemont CA, Arlington Heights
IL, and Hartford CN markets. These market launches jump-started the cable industry in entering the
broadband Internet sector.
As vice president and general manager for Jones Lightwave, he was responsible for business
development, sales and marketing for this competitive access provider with networks in Atlanta,
Tampa, and Denver. Within this role, he launched a full suite of SONET-based transport services in
one of the earliest competitive access providers.
As a principal for Uptown Services, Neil has built the firm's municipal broadband practice from
scratch over the past 25 years. His business case financials have been the basis for over $480M in
publicly financed municipal broadband projects. He has also personally completed detailed FTTH
designs for several clients, including the 300-mile passive optical network for the City of Wilson,
NC. Neil understands the inner workings of the local government process based on his experience
with more than 100 municipal and utility clients.
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
3. Research Advisor - SDR Consulting
Rick Hunter, Vice -President for SDR Sampling Services, will serve in the capacity of market research
advisor for this project. Rick has supervised the completion of over 200,000 surveys during his
career. He has consulted major political candidates, as well as major corporations on the public's
opinion of them and other issues using public opinion research. He has also been an executive
political news director during election night coverage for two national Hispanic television networks
(working in conjunction at different times with ABC, CBS and CNN). Rick is responsible for the
sampling services operation, client relationships, project management, and the development of new
services and products for SDR Consulting.
Mr. Hunter holds a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors from Jacksonville University in Political
Science and History.
4. Research Fielding — American Directions Research Group
American Directions Research Group (ADRG) will conduct the phone interviews for this project.
Formed in 1986, American Directions Research Group has grown into one of the largest survey
research data collectors in the United States. Based in Washington, DC with all offices and
interviewing facilities exclusively located within the United States. These facilities house hundreds
of interviewing stations, each equipped with the latest in computer -assisted -telephone -interviewing
(CATI) software, as well as highly efficient, respondent -friendly predictive dialing systems.
ADRG has conducted surveys for a wide variety of businesses and organizations seeking critical
information needed to make decisions, grow or retain customers or win campaigns. These customers
and markets range from government to private industry, academia to politics. ADRG collects survey
data in vast quantities from millions of Americans each year. Over 10 million calls are placed by
their interviewers annually.
American Directions Research Group is a member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA)
and the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO). They strictly abide by the
codes of standards of these organizations.
II. Detailed Work Plan
A. Task 1: Comprehensive Market & Customer Demand Analysis
Uptown will assess the local market conditions and incumbent service offerings and then conduct
quantitative market research to identify the demand for services enabled by new broadband
infrastructure investment. This demand analysis will utilize local and statistically valid quantitative
market research and will feed into the financial analysis as inputs. The survey design will include a
speed test by the survey participant to garner data for grant application documentation. Uptown will
work with Client staff to finalize the survey instrument to be used. All of our clients approve all
research activities and survey designs prior to use.
1. Review Current Offerings
Uptown will analyze the local providers of broadband and telecommunications services used by the
residential and business markets. The incumbents studied will include at a minimum:
• Incumbent Local Cable Providers
• Incumbent Local Telephone Providers
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
Other broadband Internet Access Providers, including fixed wireless and satellite broadband
providers
Uptown will identify the following for each provider:
• Type of technology
• Capacity/speed tiers offered
• Pricing
• General availability within the community
• Limitations such as data caps, contract termination fees, etc.
2. Quantitative Research Survey
a. Quantitative Research Methodology
The research survey will be conducted according to acceptable research standards for achievement
of random and independent sampling of the universe population. Uptown's quantitative research
approach utilizes formal and empirically proven techniques to ensure that both the data and the
analysis are of the highest quality.
i. Scope of Survey
The quantitative survey will cover the following major areas:
• Identification of current broadband services being used, type of broadband subscribed to,
from which provider (market share), and monthly spending.
• Customer satisfaction with current telecommunications and broadband providers
• Willingness -to -pay at stated price point(s) and analysis of expected take rates (penetration)
for each service. This will include pricing sensitivity by testing two different price points
using a cell design (e.g. half of the survey participants would be `offered' 1Gbps at
$60/month and the other half 1 Gbps at $70/month). By testing more than one price point, we
can gain insight into the impact to demand of typically higher priced Internet offerings under
private operator business models as compared to the TDPUD ownership model.
• Evaluation of impact to purchase intent for lower -income households that would qualify for
the federally funded $30/month discount via the Affordable Connectivity Program (note that
service providers receiving BEAD grant funds are required to offer a discount program of
this nature).
• An identification and rating of service attributes including download and upload speeds,
price, use of data caps, use of term contracts with termination fees, etc.
• Identification of areas of improvement relative to current services
• Identification of preferred service provider and interest in obtaining service from a new
provider
• Real-time speed test via Ookla for participants taking the survey from home with recording
of metrics designated by the NTIA as allowable for 477 eligibility challenges (download
speed, upload speed, and latency).
ii. Response Design
Uptown carefully designs response options to ensure they are symmetrical and meet accepted
research standards. We exclusively use Likert scales for purchase intent questions. Further we
include open-ended response options in our surveys to gather specific information where needed (e.g.
"What could be improved with your current broadband services?"). Open-ended question cost more
to include because they require labor costs to code the responses, but we strongly believe they
improve the quality of the research.
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PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
iii. Screening Criteria
Uptown uses screening questions at the start of every interview to insure that the respondent is not
biased due to their employment. For example, we screen out all client employees and all incumbent
employees. We also make sure we are talking to the decision -maker for these services in the home
or business.
iv. Public Notice
Uptown will provide recommended messaging so that the Client can conduct outreach through
established communication channels to generate awareness of the survey. We have used this
approach prior to many of our surveys to improve the cooperation rate in an unbiased manner.
Typically, our clients use pre -established communications methods such as newsletters and social
media at no incremental cost. However, if Client staff wish to purchase
v. Residential Survey Sample
The residential sample size will be 400 via phone survey with additional sample provided via online
survey outreach. With this approach we expect approximately 800-1,000 completed surveys,
depending upon Client's ability to provide email addresses and generate local awareness of the
survey. With this approach, our research subcontractor, ADRG would complete all phone surveys
via one of their call center locations using Computer Assisted Telephone Interview software. The
online surveys would be completed via two methods; The email list would receive an email invite to
take the survey via an embedded link, and the link can be posted on the Client website.
A 95% confidence interval will be achieved for the residential quantitative research survey. With a
universe of over 15,000 households, an error rate of +/-3.3% is realized with a sample size of 800.
Uptown will utilize both client -provided phone numbers and email addresses and can purchase 3'
party sources if needed.
b. Important Survey Metrics
• The length of the phone/online survey will be 10-12 minutes.
• The survey sample will be conducted with decision makers of entertainment and
communications services for their household/business.
• Sample file to be provided by Client (e.g. Electric or Water Utility Customer File or Property
Tax Database) with supplemental third party list sources
• The survey will include an up -front screener question to ensure that employees of the City
or one of the incumbent providers are not included in the sample.
c. Survey Scope
The survey scope shall generate the key local market data required to enable an accurate financial
analysis to be prepared and will be conducted using professional research practices and standards.
• The survey will identify current usage of broadband services
• The survey will identify current spending patterns for broadband services
• The survey will measure the current satisfaction levels among the incumbent providers for
Internet access, and local phone service.
• The survey will measure the performance of the following key players on the above
attributes:
o Incumbent Cable Television Providers (MSG's)
o Incumbent Local Phone Companies (ILEC's)
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The survey will quantify the interest and purchase intent (willingness to switch) for
broadband services if offered by an alternative provider.
Our approach to survey design will be consistent with professional techniques to ensure data
validity. In this way, the Client is assured of viable research data and the quality of the financial
inputs derived from it:
• Sampling (randomness and confidence interval)
• Response design (e.g. Likert Scale, other)
• Overstatement adjustment (purchase intent forecasting)
• Screening criteria (e.g. not an employee of an incumbent)
d. Deliverable: Consumption Patterns
Uptown will determine the current usage behavior for each broadband service. Specific usage
information will include:
Internet Access
• % of households without a PC
• % of households with a PC but no Internet
• % of households using Cable Modem Internet service
• % of households using DSL Internet service
• Market share of Internet providers
Local Telephone
• % of households using Wireless as a substitute for Wireline
• Number of lines per household
e. Deliverable: Customer Satisfaction
Uptown will interpret the role service satisfaction levels play in market demand for alternative
broadband services. This data can be cross -tabbed with other data to provide insight into the drivers
of satisfaction.
Uptown will determine the current satisfaction ratings for each service category.
E Deliverable: Determine Market Demand
Uptown will define the opportunity for launching broadband services in terms of potential size and
market share penetration rates. Uptown has developed a reliable methodology for predicted market
penetration if the Client were to launch a broadband service. As described, the forecasted take rate
will be a function of the anticipated end -user price point and we expect that to vary by the business
model being evaluated. Details of the approach and its accuracy are presented below.
i. Willingness to Pay
Uptown will identify the purchase intent within the residential market for Internet service at two
different price points (via the cell design) and the willingness to switch from an incumbent provider
to the Client and or the Client's service provider partner(s). For Internet service, we will additionally
test multiple speed tiers at specific price points to understand market potential for more advanced
speed tiers.
11
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
ii. Overstatement Adjustment
In our experience, Uptown is unique in its use of Overstatement Adjustment within the municipal
broadband sector. Overstatement Adjustment is a time -tested empirical method for determining
eventual market penetration of a service being evaluated using quantitative market research. This
technique has been around for over 30 years and was pioneered in the packaged goods sector by firms
such as Proctor & Gamble. The technique was developed as these firms realized that research
respondents, for various reasons, overstated their purchase intentions during research as compared to
the eventual penetration of a product that was subsequently commercially launched. This technique
involves adjusting the respondent statement downward to reflect actual purchasing behavior when
someone is actually choosing to pay for a service. In other words, we factor down the responses to
generate a more accurate penetration forecast. Uptown will use a 5-point Likert scale as the response
options for purchase intent, and these will then be factors for overstatement adjustment.
g. Deliverable: Benchmarking Research Results
In completing 3 8 municipal broadband quantitative surveys in the last 20+ years, Uptown is uniquely
qualified to benchmark the Client penetration estimates and other research findings against other
Uptown quantitative research studies. Uptown will provide comparable data to clarify where the
Client stands in comparison to other markets relative to demand for alternative broadband.
Our intent in reviewing these metrics is to assess the Client business case for reasonableness and
achievability. This analysis attempts to answer such questions as; are the operating targets achievable
compared to the actual performance of similar ventures in this industry? How strong are the purchase
intent levels compared to other feasibility study quantitative research results?
This analysis will be completed such that Client staff will receive benchmark metrics for the key
market variables on these dimensions:
i. Purchase Intent (research -based)
Uptown will use a minimum of 25 relevant and comparable quantitative surveys within the last 15
years to graphically depict how the Client's survey penetration metrics compares to these other
markets. The range of penetration estimates will be provided and the Client will be plotted within
that range.
ii. Satisfaction Levels (research -based)
In a similar fashion, Uptown will use the same comparable quantitative surveys to graphically depict
how the Client's survey satisfaction metrics compares to these other markets. The range of
penetration estimates will be provided and the Client will be plotted within that range.
B. Task 2: Evaluate Potential to Utilize Existing TDPUC Infrastructure Assets
Uptown will complete a high-level assessment of District fiber, communications, and electric/water utility
assets along with technologies available for the last mile that provide a range of performance, costs and
benefits.
1. Assessment of District fiber, communications and utility assets
Uptown will complete an inventory of the District fiber, communications and utility assets. This will involve
working with District staff to collect applicable GIS, spreadsheet and document based information for fiber
optic networks as well as District owned and operated switching and routing systems. Uptown will also
collect applicable information from the electric and water departments. Information of interest would include
12
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
existing SCADA and AMI network details. Most Uptown Public Power clients have found great synergies
between their broadband and utility networks.
a. Deliverable: Existing Systems Evaluation
Uptown will render an opinion on the applicability of the existing District fiber, communications and utility
assets for use in future broadband deployment efforts. Our evaluation and final opinion will be based on a
combination of several factors, including but not limited to cost, applicability and point on the life cycle
curve for each asset.
2. Assessment of last mile technologies
Uptown will evaluate the leading last mile technologies for use by TDPUD based on the following
considerations:
• What are the broadband capacities and considerations necessary now and, in the future, to
enable the District to be economically competitive?
• What technologies can provide broadband services at those speeds?
• How can a new fiber network be used to support the electric utility operations?
a. Deliverable: Broadband Technology Overview
Uptown will evaluate the level of broadband capacity that is likely to be required by consumers and
businesses now and into the future. This analysis will consider current bandwidth requirements as
well as typical usage growth rates being experienced throughout the broadband industry. Uptown
will then document the capabilities of different broadband technologies that could be used by the
District to deliver high -capacity services.
b. Deliverable: Electric Utility Application Analysis
Uptown will evaluate the efficacy of the using a new fiber system to support various electric utility
operations including AMI, DA and DSM. We have worked with several our public power clients on
their desire to leverage existing and future fiber assets for electric and water utility operations. This
has included consideration of fiber fed AMI collectors, fiber connected smart meters and mesh
wireless DSM clients within the home. Fiber systems allow for near real time interval data for AMI
data collection. Fiber systems also provide highly reliable communication and control capabilities
for field smart grid devices. We will work with District staff to understand where fiber capabilities
could be most impactful and put forward potential solutions as part of this study.
C. Task 3: Identify Middle & Last Mile Proposed Routes & Service Area(s)
Uptown will complete conceptual middle mile and last mile designs for those areas identified as targets for
broadband deployment. These designs will be of sufficient detail to allow for the development of high-level
capital budgets that would used for future funding and grant applications. Finally, our designs will be
overlaid on feature -rich maps that show the current availability of broadband capabilities and technology
deployment (e.g. cable modem, FTTP, fixed wireless, etc.).
1. Broadband Technology Deployment and Capability Mapping
Uptown will prepare various maps as part of this project. Where data is available, maps will be used
to show the location of existing broadband networks inside the utility service area. Maps will also
be created to effectively characterize the level of broadband accessibility. The FCC has traditionally
maintained the "477 Database" to serve as the reference point for broadband capabilities at the
Census Block level. They are in the process of converting to a new database that promises a more
robust dataset and more accurate reporting. In the meantime, Uptown will use other datasets like M
13
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
Lab's testing clearinghouse to counterbalance the inaccuracies that most users have found in the
current FCC 477 data. The combination of M Lab and FCC 477 data be used to develop a target list
of middle mile community anchor institutions and residential neighborhoods for future broadband
deployment.
2. Network Design
Uptown will complete a basic technical design with enough detail to enable rough cost projections.
a. Deliverable: Base Mapping
Uptown will complete a high-level network design using ArcGIS software. This design will be
based on the location of community anchor institutions and large businesses in the District service
area. Uptown will also import and plot all available facilities information for the District.
b. Deliverable: Reference Architecture
Uptown will define the core building blocks for the recommended technologies that would best
serve the needs of the District. The definition of each reference architecture will include
descriptions of primary components and discuss of sizing criteria based on platform capabilities.
For example, what is the range of a given wireless transmitter and how many end points could the
transmitter support? These criteria will allow Uptown to complete basic network designs for this
project.
c. Deliverable: System Design
Uptown will draft conceptual middle mile and last mile designs in ArcGIS formats for those areas
identified as targets. The design will call out the location of each system building block. The
design will be of the required scale to serve the needs of the specified target locations.
d. Deliverable: Capital Budget
Uptown will complete a capital budget for the proposed high-level design. This capital budget will
be based on the high-level bill of materials related to the ArcGIS design. The bill of materials will
include both materials and labor components.
D. Task 4: Identify and Evaluate Funding Sources
Uptown will evaluate the viable options for funding the recommended broadband infrastructure
investment including the following range of potential sources of funds:
• Traditional long term debt instruments such as revenue or general obligation bonds
• Short term financing to provide working capital for the project
• Self -funding via one-time or annual equity contributions
• Other funding sources such as property tax levies or Local Improvement Districts
• Federal grant funding programs including ARPA and BEAD
• Any state -level grant funding programs supporting broadband infrastructure
• Funding split between TDPUD and its partner for public -private partnership models
14
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
1. Deliverable: Summary of Grant Program Details
Uptown will present a summary of the federal grant program specifics for the following sources of
funds:
• The American rescue Plan Act (ARPA — funding varied by geographic entity)
• The BEAD Middle Mile Grant program ($lB in funding)
• The BEAD Last Mile Grant program ($42B in funding)
• The Affordable Connectivity Program ($42B in funding)
2. Deliverable: GIS analysis of M Lab Database
One of the key hurdles related to grant applications is the identification of "underserved" areas
within the proposed deployment area. Up to now, the primary source of proving whether an area is
underserved is the reporting that resides in the FCC 477 database. This information is self -reported
by service providers, all without any third party verification. Uptown has recently begun to
evaluate the claims of service providers using speed test clearing houses like M Lab.
M Lab is an independent speed testing provider that hosts speed testing sites for end users
anywhere in the United States. Download speed, upload speed, latency, location and ISP
information are logged for each test and stored in a database that is available as an open source
asset. Uptown has developed the capability to extract geographic subsets of data from the massive
database. Our latest efforts for two counties in Oregon involved close to 350,000 test records for
the first six months of 2022. Sample maps showing the difference between the FCC477 data and
actual M Lab speed test results for the same County are provided next.
15
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
Astoria to Hillsboro Middle Mile Network
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Legend
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Uptown will use the M Lab data for the District service area to validate or impeach the provider
reported data in the FCC 477 data. This will be a critical step in the grant application process.
16
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
3. Deliverable: High Level Capex Budget
The Task 3 findings will be used by Uptown to develop a high-level capex budget requirement
associated with the construction of any proposed middle mile backbone routes, backbone lateral
routes, and any last -mile service area build outs (assuming Fiber -to -the -Curb) as needed and
dependent upon the business model(s) being proposed.
E. Task 5: Evaluation of Business Model Options
Uptown will complete an analysis of the various business model options available to the Client for
providing broadband services (either indirectly or directly) by exploring the strategic, financial, and
organizational implications of each. The Client has previously identified four potential business
structure options ranging from TDPUD owning and operating the system to varying degrees of
TDPUD investment to attract a service provider partner.
This task will include general information about these alternate business models, including a
discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of these alternate models and a detailed split of the
functional roles between TDPUD and the service provider partner(s). A forecast of penetration and
adoption rates, foreseeable completion, and pricing comparisons will be included for all models
presented, and the following parameters of each model will be identified:
• Ownership of network
• Management and operation of network by function
• Capital investment required (i.e., amount, timeframe, responsible party)
• Assets required (alignment with inventory of assets and inventory)
• Likely end -user service offerings
This analysis will be completed against the four models identified by the TDPUD Broadband
Committee and included in the RFP:
1. Deliverable: Evaluation of Business Structure Options
Completion of this task will include an analysis of the following business structure options as
identified in the RFP:
a. Ownership Model - TDPUD Owned and Operated Network
TDPUD would build and operate the network. This model has two subset options whereby TDPUD
performs all operating functions, or an option where an `operating partner' performs some functions
(essentially long-term outsourcing).
b. Open Access Partnership - TDPUD Owned but Not Operated
TDPUD would finance and contract to build the network and invite other service providers to contract
to deliver services over the network.
c. Public/Private Partnership — Private Operator Ownership and Operated
TDPUD would typically share some funding of the project or provide other contributions and rely
on a private sector partner for operation.
17
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
d. Co-Op/ISP — Member Ownership and Private Partner Operated
TDPUD would assist with securing financing via grant funding and/or Local Improvement District
long-term financing.
2. Deliverable: Identification of Operational Models
Uptown will identify, for each of the 4 business model options, the anticipated operational model for
each, and highlight differences among them. As one would expect, there are dramatic differences in
the role that the Client would play if partnered with an incumbent ISP versus serving as an ISP.
Uptown will identify the impact on staffing and capital investment required, along with the
operational impacts, including:
• Product strategy ramifications
• Organizational staffing and resource requirements
• Outsourcing needs and requirements
• Operational roles
• Customer service ramifications
• Network repair and maintenance
• Customer installs
• Marketing and sales
• Staffing
• Systems and software
F. Task 6: Develop, Issue, and Evaluate Service Provider Partnership RFP
While this task is not included in the RFP scope, we recommend enhancing the project scope to
include developing and issuing an RFP seeking service provider partnership proposals. This RFP
would be relevant to all models except for the TDPUD Ownership Model. We would anticipate that
this task would be completed towards the end of the project timeline so that prior tasks analysis and
outcomes can define targeted service area(s) and `best -fit' service providers operating proximate to
these areas (although some national level players such as Ting and SiFi may be interested with
sufficient project scale).
We are recommending the addition of this task for two reasons:
Identification and documented commitment of a qualified service provider is required for all
BEAD applications and the timeframe to establish these relationships is lengthy. Our
involvement in other projects has made very clear that starting early with these discussions
is very important. Due to the robustness of the federal grants funding program, it has been
our experience that all private sector service providers are already underway with plans to
obtain BEAD funds for the purpose of expanding their footprints. Accordingly, its important
to `be on their radar' as soon as possible relative to broadband infrastructure plans within the
community.
Until detailed terms are identified between potential service providers and TDPUD, any
assessment of service model viability and efficacy are preliminary. While a qualitative
assessment can be made that will likely guide TDPUD preferences across the four model
options, it would be advantageous for TDPUD to obtain detailed proposal terms during this
18
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
phase of the project since the finalization of the `best -fit' business model cannot be
determined until specific terms have been proposed relative to:
o Allocation of matching funding across parties
o Allocation of asset ownership across parties
o Allocation of operating functions/role
o Degree of control over end -user policies (e.g. price levels, data caps, etc.)
o Willingness of service provider partner to provide SLA terms
o Options for retention of appropriate assets by TDPUD for internal use
o Network operator role terms and conditions (Open Access model)
Upon completion of this project in early December, it would be ideal to, at a minimum, have received
proposals from potential service provider partners. Proposed service terms across the above
dimensions can vary widely across providers, so adding this task is critical from our perspective.
1. Deliverable: Service Provider Partnership RFP
Uptown will perform the following in support of this task:
• Uptown will write, with TDPUD staff assistance on any RFP content that is not specific to
broadband (e.g. any purchasing boilerplate language), an RFP to solicit service provider
proposals. The RFP will incorporate important terms as recommended by Uptown to ensure
both the viability of the partnership and long-term community benefit derived from the
broadband system.
• Uptown will provide support to TDPUD staff in answering proposer questions as part of the
formal RFP process
• Uptown and TDPUD staff will evaluate proposals under a team scoring format
• Uptown will use RFP proposal results to refine Task 5 recommendations
G. Task 7: Recommendation, Reports, & Presentations
Because these tasks are extremely data -intensive, the primary format for our report will be a high -
quality PowerPoint report to present the data, analysis, and findings of the project, with supplements
including applicable spreadsheets, maps, and other formats as appropriate.
Uptown will present the findings of our study to the Client staff and the TDPUD Board (2 separate
readouts) with our final recommendations based upon the results of the project.
H. Proposed Project Schedule/Timeline
Uptown expects to complete this study in four to six months to meet the TDPUD Board presentation
deadline of December 7t', 2022.
Project Phase
Project Tasks
Timeframe
Phase l
Tasks 1-4
August - September
Staff Review #1
Late September
Phase 2
Tasks 5-6
October - November
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Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
Staff Review #2
Late November
Board
Task 7
By December 7
Presentation
I. Local Involvement
We will require periodic availability of Client staff to meet with Uptown's principals to review
project milestones and review and provide feedback on in -progress work output. We would plan
status meetings with the Client, typically scheduled "as -needed" when work output is ready for
review.
The project will also require the Client to provide to Uptown specific system information (e.g. GIS
maps) in a timely matter and other local -sourced data as may be applicable. For the market research
survey, it would be ideal if the Client can provide any phone numbers and email addresses via a
utility billing system or other source. Uptown can also source these via third -party lists for an
incremental fee if necessary.
The need for onsite client meetings and presentations can be determined by the Client.
III. Cost Proposal
The Uptown project team will complete the proposed scope for a fixed, not -to -exceed fee of $79,000.
As required by the RFP, our hourly rate per project team member is:
• Neil Shaw: $200 per hour (6-minute increments)
• Dave Stockton: $200 per hour (6-minute increments)
• SDR Consulting: Fixed fee only included in not -to -exceed quote
• ADRG: Fixed fee only included in not -to -exceed quote
Uptown recommends that the project be completed remotely, but with the option for in -person
readouts to Staff and the TDPUD Board, as determined by the Client. We have been working in off -
site mode since February 2020, including market research projects and City Council readouts, without
issue.
If travel is elected, normal and customary travel expenses will be billed at cost and are additional to
consulting fees. Any flights required will be at economy class. Any rental car expenses will be
incurred at mid -size level or below, and any use of a personal vehicle will be reimbursed at the IRS
approved mileage rate. Project staff will manage hotel expenses to reasonable levels by staying
typically at a Hampton Inn.
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Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
IV. Supplemental Information
A. References
Per the RFP, we are listing references. Please note that the full list of our clients is presented in the
Appendix.
1. Clackamas County, Oregon
Contact
David DeVore or Duke Dexter
Title
Chief Information Officer
Phone
503 723-4996 or 971 219-3339
Email
daviddev clackamas.us or DDexter@clackamas.us
Address
121 Library Ct.
Oregon City, OR 97045
Period
October 2020 — April 2021
Work
Performed
. Completing a feasibility study and business plan for full FTTP last -mile expansion
of their existing middle -mile system to targeted underserved areas of the County.
• Presentation to the County Board of Commissioners anticipated in April/MayApril/May 2021.
2. Col-Pac, Oregon
Contact
A reann Colombo
Title
Executive Director
Phone
971 757-5040
Email
acolombo nwore on.or
Period
August 2021 — Present
Work
Performed
• Completing a regional (4 county) broadband assessment for potential grant -
supported middle -mile infrastructure targeting underserved areas.
3. City of Hillsboro, Oregon
Contact
Greg Mont
Title
Information Services Director
Phone
503 681-5401
Email
Greg.Mont@hillsboro-oregon.gov
Address
City of Hillsboro Civic Center
150 E. Main Street
Hillsboro, Oregon 97123-4028
Period
March — June 2015
Project
Completed comprehensive FTTP feasibility study including analysis of business
Description
models and service set options.
Completion
Completed on time. We completed the Feasibility Study in 3 months.
Timing
Deliverables
. Market Analysis/Competitive Assessment
• Quantitative Survey & Depth Interviews
• Technology Strategy & Sample Designs
• Business Strategy & Business Structure Analysis
• Service & Market Mix Options
• Bandwidth Sourcing Options
• Video Sourcing Options & Analysis
• Business Structure Options
• 15 Year Pro Forma Results & Sensitivity Analysis
• Funding Requirements & Funding Plan
• Final Recommendation
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Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
B. Uptown Client List
Our client list includes a diverse set of communities across a full range of demographic, geographic,
and competitive characteristics, including small rural towns to major urban centers.
1.
Silicon Valley Power - City of
2.
Morrisville Water and Light
3.
Bowling Green Municipal
Santa Clara, California
Department, Vermont
Utilities, Kentucky
4.
Traverse City Light & Power,
5.
City of Chanute, Kansas
6.
Lincoln Electric System,
Michigan
Nebraska
7.
Concord Municipal Light Plant,
8.
City of Salisbury, North Carolina
9.
Hopkinsville Electric System,
Massachusetts
Kentucky
10.
Belmont Municipal Light
11.
City of Wilson, North Carolina
12.
Village of Freeport, New York
Department, Massachusetts
13.
Taunton Municipal Light Plant,
14.
Pulaski Electric Services,
15.
City of Laurinburg, North
Massachusetts
Tennessee
Carolina
16.
City of Palo Alto Utilities,
17.
City of Poteau, Oklahoma
18.
Chicopee Electric Light
California
Department, Massachusetts
19.
City of Pasadena, California
20.
Tullahoma Utilities Board,
21.
Glasgow Electric Plant Board,
Tennessee
Kentucky
22.
City of St. George, Utah
23.
Russellville Electric Plant Board,
24.
Kentucky Municipal Power
Kentucky
Agency
25.
Spanish Fork City, Utah
26.
Cleveland Utilities, Tennessee
27.
Farmington Electric Utility
System, New Mexico
28.
Scottsboro Electric Power Board,
29.
Trinity Public Utilities District,
30.
Chelan County Public Utility
Alabama
California
District, Washington
31.
City of Corona, California
32.
Paducah Power Systems,
33.
City of Hartsville, South
Kentucky
Carolina
34.
Fairhope, Alabama
35.
The City of Portland, Oregon
36.
Iowa Health Systems, Iowa
37.
Riviera Utilities, Alabama
38.
Electric Power Board of
39.
Marblehead Municipal Light
Chattanooga, Tennessee
District, Massachusetts
40.
Westfield Gas & Electric Light
41.
Tennessee Valley Authority
42.
Shrewsbury Electric and Cable
Department, Massachusetts
operations, Massachusetts
43.
City of Franklin, Virginia
44.
Nash County, North Carolina
45.
Bristol Virginia Utilities,
Virginia
46.
Milton-Freewater, Oregon
47.
Cedar Falls Utilities, Iowa
48.
Columbia Power & Water
System, Tennessee
49.
City of Sallisaw, Oklahoma
50.
Fayetteville Public Utilities,
51.
Northeast Oklahoma Rural
Tennessee
Electric Cooperative
52.
Alameda Power & Telecom,
53.
Jackson Energy Authority,
54.
San Luis Valley Rural Electric
California
Tennessee
Cooperative
55.
City of Hamilton and Butler
56.
Kansas City Board of Public
57.
Longmont Power &
County, Ohio
Utilities, Kansas
Communications, Colorado
58.
Los Alamos County, New
59.
Town of Ludlow, Vermont
60.
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Mexico
61.
City of Valdosta, Georgia
62.
North Kansas City, Kansas
63.
MI Connect, North Carolina
64.
City of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
65.
Omaha Public Power District,
66.
Delta Montrose Electric
Nebraska
Association
67.
Benton PUD, Washington
68.
City of Opelika, Alabama
69.
The City of Beverly Hills,
California
70.
City of Dover, Ohio
71.
Princeton Electric Plant Board,
72.
SolStar Network, Texas
Kentucky
73.
City of Holland, Michigan
74.
City of Provo, Utah
75.
City of Hudson, Ohio
76.
Lenoir City, Tennessee
77.
City of Tipp City, Ohio
78.
The City of Hillsboro, Oregon
79.
City of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
80.
Truckee Donner Public Utility
81.
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
District, California
MA
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
82.
Bristol Tennessee Essential
Services, Tennessee
83.
Murray Electric System,
Kentucky
84.
City of Morganton, North
Carolina
85.
Morristown Utility Systems,
Tennessee
86.
Mayfield Electric & Water
Systems, Kentucky
87.
Mountain Parks Electric, Inc.
88.
City of Glenwood Springs,
Colorado
89.
Poudre Valley Rural Electric
Authority, Colorado
90.
Estes Park, Colorado
91.
Town of Superior, Colorado
92.
Town of Mountain Village, CO
93.
Salem City, Utah
94.
Mapleton City, Utah
95.
Newport Utilities, TN
96.
Town of Eagle, Colorado
97.
City of Greeley, Colorado
98.
City of Sanford, Maine
99.
Clackamas County, OR
100. Col-Pac Econ. Dev. District, OR
101. Miami, OK
102. Greenwood Village, CO
103. City of Banks, Oregon
104. City of North Plains, Oregon
105.
C. Example Work Product: Clackamas County Fiber Business Plan
23
171 if N Y H:TS)J
July 12, 2022
Sharma Kuhlemier
District Clerk and Assistant to the General Manager
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
shannakuhlemier@tdpud.org
RE: RFP for Communitywide Broadband Initial Souping Study
Dear Ms. Kuhlemier.
Uptown Services, LLC is pleased to provide the enclosed proposal to complete a Communitywide
Broadband Initial Seeping Study for the Truckee Dormer Public Utility District (hereafter TDPUD
or Client). We have been serving the broadband sector for many years and are duly qualified to deliver
the scope of services outlined in the above -referenced RFP. The attached proposal constitutes a firm
and binding offer by Uptown to the TDPUD to complete this plan as depicted in the attached proposal.
To convey our understanding of the goals of TDPUD in commissioning this study, we would describe
the project as a detailed assessment to define one or more strategy options for significantly improving
broadband infrastructure with the objective of improving broadband capacity, reliability,
affordability, and access over the long term. We realize that multiple business models could
potentially serve this purpose and should be evaluated for fit to TDPUD risk tolerance and operational
capability.
We further understand that federal grant funds are available for eligible broadband infrastructure
projects and that this opportunity should be evaluated for applicability to this project. The six-month
duration for the project will align with expected timeframes for BEAD grant program application
submissions, albeit with our proposed additional work plan tasks as described below.
Modification to Proocsal Fermat
While we will include the RFP section 5.0 format categories we feel we need to add one additional
category to provide a proposal that is both comprehensive and easy to evaluate. As such, we have
added a category for the separate presentation of our proposed Work Plan as follows:
• Letter of Proposal Submission
• Company Information & Qualifications
• Detailed Work Plan
• Cost proposal
• Supplemental Information
Modification to RFP Rmuired Services
This proposal represents a comprehensive and complete set of methodologies to address all specified
tasks associated with developing the feasibility study as identified in section 4.4 of the RFP. In
addition to these tasks we are proposing adding tasks that we feel will provide the additional analysis
and planning required for TDPUD to remain 'on schedule' with BEAD grant funding timeframes.
We note the December milestone for project completion and also note that the intention of the RFP
is to produce an 'initial scoping study'. However, we expect that entities interested in applying for
Truckee Donner Public Utility District
PROPOSAL FOR COMMUNITYWIDE BROADBAND STUDY
last -mile BEAD grant funds will need to have all project analysis completed and be prepared to
submit applications to their state Broadband Office by early 2023. For this to be accomplished, we
are proposing the addition of the following tasks so that TDPUD would be fully prepared to meet
anticipated application filing window deadlines:
• Part of Task 4: GIS-baud analysis of 477 data and other speed test database sources (e.g. M
Lab) to verify or invalidate incumbent provider self -reported Internet speeds
• Task 3: GIS mapping of fiber routes for middle -mile and last -mile construction project(s) to
identify high-level capital budget requirements
• Task 6: Creation and execution of a service provider partnership RFP
While the scope enhancement will not cover every single task required to submit a BEAD application,
it will place TDPUD on a schedule that will have it ready to do so with the vast majority of the most
time -intensive analysis completed. The primary retaining tasks would involve the selection of one
or more service providers that are willing and able to partner on a last -mile broadband infrastructure
project
We also note that we have attached an example Uptown work product completed for Clackamas
County Oregon as part of the Supplemental Information we are providing.
Uptown is a fee -only firm with no financial ties to any other organization including equipment
suppliers, other consulting firms, rescamh agencies, service providers. etc. We are 100% independent
and serve only the interests of our clients. Proposed pricing shall remain valid form less than 120
days from the date of this proposal. As always, we expect to have regular and ongoing interaction
and feedback with the client throughout the duration of the Study.
The principal contact regarding this proposal is:
Company Name
Uptown Services, LLC
Address
7324 Cortez Lane
Boulder, CO 80303
Website
www.uptowns�ervicts.com
[lave Stockton, Principal
It 173 E Greenway Rd
Primary Contact
Scottsdale AZ 85255
'
Email: dstockton(aiupmwnurviamourn
Office: (480) 515.6290
Mobile: 404 641-30DO
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please call me anytime with questions about our
proposal.
Sincerely, /_ —
� y —
Neil Shaw, Principal
Uptown Services, LLC
COMMUNITY -WIDE BROADBAND INITIAL SCOPING STUDY
ADDENDUM NO. 1
This Clarifying Questions & Answers NO. 1 consists of 1 page (1 - 8.5" x 11"). It is the
responsibility of the proposer to assure and guarantee that the proposer has received
the response in its entirety, and that they accept all conditions contained herein.
Would TDPUD consider placing fiber within the electrical portion of joint -owned poles
(ie: due to limited communications space)?
Answer: No
Are the fibers to Sacramento & Reno currently "dark" or "lit" serviced? Are the
termination "Z location" of the addresses where these land available, such as 200 S.
Virginia in Reno?
Answer. A portion of the fibers are lit and the termination locations would be
made available to the most advantageous proposer after execution of a contract
which contains confidentiality clauses.
Will GIS maps be made available of the current and/or abandoned fiber assets? Will
these maps clarify pole ownership too? Do these maps also note excess conduit
capacity?
Answer. GIS maps/reports will be made available of the current and planned fiber
assets, poles/ownership, and communication conduit to the most advantageous
proposer after execution of a contract which contains confidentiality clauses. It
should be noted that the communication conduit has evolved over time with
some conduit never used and some of it fully utilized. At the project level, there
would need to be some data validity verification regarding communications
conduit.
Can the relationship with PSREC be described in more detail, how did this fail to gain
traction - lack of investment, different business models, etc?
Answer: TDPUD's relationship with Plumas Sierra Telecom was geared towards
leveraging TDPUD's existing and planned utility infrastructure plus fiber to offer a
quality high speed broadband service in Truckee. While successful in pockets
with mostly larger commercial accounts, this approach is not effectively
addressing community -wide broadband for all which is the goal of this initial
scoping RFP and any eventual project. The largest barrier to date to complete
the `last mile' has been cost to connect from TDPUD's fiber to the customer
along with existing entrenched suppliers.
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