Specifications include, but are not limited to: A.) Project Kickoff Meeting Meet remotely with State officials (VCBB Staff) and other stakeholders to develop a clear understanding of the project goals, objectives, timelines and deliverables as well as the elements of the Business Plan. B.) Universal Service Plan In cooperation with the staff, the consultant will be responsible for identifying potential options for a proposed Universal Service Plan1 for towns not currently represented by a Communications Union District nor with a plan in place. This includes the following towns: Colchester, Westford, Essex Junction, Essex Town, Williston, Jericho, Underhill, Shelburne, St. George, and Winooski: Note: The WCVT portion of towns shared between Consolidated and WCVT and areas already served by fiber should not be examined. Universal Service Plans Options to Explore for each town and the area as a whole: 1) All addresses without a reliable wireless connection of at least 25/3 (see map - https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4a4f2662978b48238be5915ce9c7a68f/) 2) All address currently underserved by a connection capable of 100/100 Mbps. If the proposed plan covers more than one town or more than one service provider, and will likely be implemented in phases, the consultant shall make suggestions about how to break up the project into logical segments. The VCBB has compiled substantial data on underserved premises, wire-centers, pole data (include underground/overhead), etc. C.) Present a Financial Model Develop a preferred financial model which details revenue, expense, take rates, capital expenditures, interest and principal payments, and other key financial metrics of the project. Models evaluated should include a dark-fiber open-source model with one or more anchor tenants (alone or in conjunction with a neighboring Communications Union District), working with the established incumbent telephone company, and/or a public-private partnership with an ISP. Contractor should plan to engage with selected providers to inform the model. Before completing the business plans, the model should be reviewed by VCBB Staff.
