Now Accepting Proposals for Broadband Consultant

Now Accepting Proposals for Broadband Consultant

Request for Proposals for Broadband Consultant

The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is requesting proposals from experienced firms, groups, or individuals to perform Broadband Planning Coordinator duties in the regions consisting of the 12-county OVRDC region and the 8-county Buckeye Hills Regional Council (BHRC) in southern Ohio. This is a contract-based position, and the selected contractor shall be responsible for all expenses incurred while performing the services. Compensation, which should include related expenses, will be negotiated but will include consideration for experience. This project and RFP are supported by USDA-RA Broadband Technical Assistance funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Background & Description

The successful RFP respondent will serve as the Broadband Planning Coordinator for the 20-county OVRDC and BHRC regions in southern Ohio under the general supervision of the OVRDC Executive Director.

The Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission (OVRDC) is a public regional planning commission established in 1967. The Buckeye Hills Regional Council is a public regional planning commission established in 1967. Both agencies serve as a Local Development District for the Appalachian Regional Commission, as an Economic Development District for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, and as a Regional Transportation Planning Organization for the Ohio Department of Transportation. OVRDC and BHRC coordinate federal, state and local resources to encourage development and improve quality of life by offering technical assistance, planning and support for economic development, community development and transportation projects in OVRDC’s 12 southern Ohio counties: Adams, Brown, Clermont, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton; and BHRC’s 8 southeastern Ohio counties: Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry and Washington.

Scope of Services/ Specific Responsibilities

This is an independent contractor/consulting position. The Broadband Planning Coordinator will be offered a contract for up to twenty (20) months.

The firm, group, or person selected should be flexible and able to work independently, able to structure their own workdays and able to complete their work within the general timetable established by OVRDC per the contract.

Other relevant skills include the ability to work well with others and undertake joint projects; and a willingness to participate in special training programs, conferences, workshops, and classes as required.  The work environment may involve flexible hours, including availability outside normal office hours, as needed. The Broadband Planning Coordinator must be available for travel.

Specific Responsibilities include:

The project’s scope of work will focus on these activities:

  • Document the Unserved/Underserved Areas – For each county, our project will quantify the gaps, identify potential areas of expansion, and generate targeted expansion plans, including detailed financial analysis and probable project cost estimates.
  • Identify BEAD and defaulted ROOF-awarded areas to establish the reliability of “well-served” claimed areas and verify if buildouts have happened as promised. Also, document speeds and take rates.
  • Map Open Middle Mile Identification and Fiber Routes to help with cost analysis.
  • Share the data with county/community leaders and use it to collaborate with community
  • leaders to prioritize potential areas of expansion.
  • Create opportunities for collaboration by engaging community leaders, ISPs, and partners to strategize, share data and existing infrastructure plans and placement, and encourage alignment of all parties for beneficial build-out opportunities.
  • Identify and connect with community partners to build local expertise. Develop community champions, convene, educate, and support efforts to engage and educate the community-wide, including targeted groups such as schools, agribusinesses, health centers, small businesses, government officials, and others.
  • Identify funding opportunities and assist communities and ISPs with accessing funding,
  • providing data, maps, and expertise to help with writing grants as guided by local communities.

The complete RFP is available online here https://www.ovrdc.org/media/Broadband-Planning-Coordinator-RFP-4-22-25-FINAL.docx

For more information, contact Stephanie Gilbert, OVRDC Executive Director, sgilbert@ovrdc.org or call 740-947-2853.