Private Sector Partnerships
The Wireless Washtenaw project team is devoted to having a true partnership with the private sector. The team recognizes that the private sector providers are the experts when it comes to wireless technology. A successful project, then, requires open conversation and collaboration. We firmly believe that this dialogue will create a win-win situation for all parties involved.
With this in mind, the Wireless Washtenaw vision calls for the deployment of a wireless network that is owned, operated and maintained by a private sector provider. To facilitate the deployment of the network, the project team will streamline access to select public assets within Washtenaw County. These assets will be made available to the private sector provider in exchange for a limited form of free Internet service for the entire community.
This vision was shared with the private sector community during the Wireless Washtenaw Private Sector Partnership Forum on June 7, 2005. This meeting started the dialogue between Wireless Washtenaw and potential solution providers. The project team announced its goals and sought feedback from the private sector experts on how the Wireless Washtenaw vision can be achieved. The Private Sector Partnership Forum culminated with the release of Request for Information #6200. The RFI was amended twice so that the project team could gather complete and up-to-date information. In all, the project team received 23 private sector responses to the RFI.
The project team made it a priority to meet with each of the respondents in order to gather complete information. During these meetings, the providers offered valuable insight and demonstrated their ability to make Wireless Washtenaw a reality. The project team thanks each of the solution providers for taking the time to meet with us and share their knowledge.
After analyzing the 23 RFI responses, the project team drafted and
released RFP
#6244 on November 29, 2005. Through this
RFP, the private sector solution providers submit formal proposals for
the project. Four RFP responses were
received from the private sector community on the March 7, 2006
deadline.
Over the course of the next three months, the project team reviewed and
evaluated the responses. This process included a number of interviews and
presentations with the RFP respondents. Before the final selection, the
project team released a Best & Final Offer to the respondents in order
to solidify the additional information learned over the course of the
evaluation process.
After thoroughly reviewing the proposals, the Wireless
Washtenaw Steering Committee recommended moving forward with 20/20
Communications on June 15, 2006. The Wireless Washtenaw
Advisory Board authorized the recommendation, which was then sent to
the Washtenaw
County Board of Commissioners on August 2, 2006 where
final approval was granted.
After two additional months of planning and collaboration, the Wireless Washtenaw public-private
partnership was solidified on September 26, 2006 when
Washtenaw County and 20/20 Communications signed an agreement to deploy a
wireless data network throughout the county. The agreement outlines the
conditions under which 20/20 can access the public assets, as well as the
performance standards for the Wireless Washtenaw network. Under this
agreement, 20/20 Communications will deploy a free service of 84 kbps to the
entire community with upgrade services starting at $35/month for speeds up
to 1 Mbps.
Additional Resources
- Contact List for Solution Providers (Excel)
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Wireless Washtenaw
- Questions regarding the Wireless Washtenaw RFP
