11/20/2007
1.Nacogdoches (TX) Reissues RFPs for Community Wireless Broadband Network and AMR

Proposals due December 18, 2007.
 
The City of Nacogdoches seeks to implement a wireless broadband internal network for the purpose of City communication. This network (Network) will provide for core data, voice, and video requirements and facilitate future applications that demonstrate value.

1.2 PROJECT VISION

The wireless network will consist of a wireless backhaul system with redundant topology providing network resilience that will link all of the major designated City facilities. The current work will also consist of linking designated Automatic Meter Reading collector sites via Ethernet to the backhaul. Each layer must provide for private and secure connections via PVC?s or VLAN?s.

1.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The City has identified the following key objectives for this initiative:

* Purchase a turn-key wireless broadband backhaul system that will provide for the private and secure transmission of data, VoIP, or video data for the City?s internal use. The network must be telco quality with redundant topology providing resilience for Layer 2 transmission to insure the City?s privacy. Bandwidth management and QOS must be provided.

The backhaul system will tie in all city locations together as listed in Exhibit B and have the flexibility to expand. This network will improve the efficiency of government service delivery The backhaul system will provide for:

1. Internal Network Usage

2. Automated Meter Reading (AMR) data transmission from collector sites.

3. VoIP

4. Public Wi-Fi access

5. Police Department and other government high security usage

6. Provide for other point-to-point wireless transport connections while keeping the connections private

* The City of Nacogdoches provides water service to residential, commercial, and industrial customers inside a 46 square mile area.

The City?s Fixed Network Automatic Meter Reading system (AMR) will provide for the reading of meters in an automated and cost effective manner. The wireless broadband network must provide for wireless connections to the AMR system that is to be installed. The wireless backhaul system will connect the AMR collector sites and provide for transport back to the designated IT network hub.

* Provide Wi-Fi Access that will transport back to the Internet uplink via the wireless backhaul system at key locations within the City for use

by City staff. Every city backhaul location and relay point as listed in Exhibit B of this RFP will have Wi-Fi access points. The access points will be mounted as high as the structure permits to gain the greatest distance.

The City is interested in emerging municipal technologies, for example automatic water meter reading, mobile solutions for field force workers, remote electronic information signs, traffic cameras, and Wi-Fi speaker systems for large venues. Vendors are encouraged to creatively define how the Network could decrease costs or otherwise support municipal operations utilizing one or more of these technologies.