July 1 - September 30, 2011

  1. Continued the RFP process for the Network Operator. This includes interviews with the 3 semi-finalists and clarification on responses.
  2. Issued RFPs for an Environmental Assessment firm, Owner's Project Management firm, Field Data Collection Survey firm and Route Validation Survey firm. Also held bidder conferences for each procurement.
  3. Began application to the State Office of Inspector General to receive approval for the Design/Build process.
  4. Executed an agreement with Jacobs Engineering to begin the Environmental Assessment. 
  5. Continued negotiations with the 3 major pole owners in the service area. Got agreement on allowing one independent firm to conduct the Field Data Collection work for pole surveys. Held a joint session with 7 of the 8 municipal lighting districts to begin discussions on pole attachments.
  6. Conducted numerous outreach meetings with various constituents, including three public forums, individual meetings with the 11 mayors in the service area, potential last mile providers, and other key stakeholders.
  7. Obtained MBI Community Representative from most of the 123 communities in the service area. Held numerous conference calls to discuss their liaison role between MBI and the municipality. Gave them the first assignment to review and verify list of Community Anchor Institutions to make sure addresses are correct, document planned moves, and make recommendations for amendments to list.
  8. Continued negotiations with the City of Springfield regarding a conduit IRU to connect I-91 to the Internet PoP at 1 Federal Street, Springfield.
  9. Began work on 6-month preEA budget and on the revised baseline project plan. 
  10. Hired a full-time Project Manager.