Video Programming And/Or System Maintenance February 25, 2009

PG022009_Video Programming The University of Connecticut REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP Number: PG022009 Video Programming and/or System Maintenance Proposal Release Date February 25, 2009 Proposal Due Date: April 7, 2009 Issued By: Penny Guerin Assistant Director, Purchasing 3 North Hillside Road Unit 6076 Storrs, CT 06269-6076 Phone: (860) 486-2621 Fax: (860) 486-5051 e-mail: [email protected] Page 1 of 61 PG022009_Video Programming TABLE OF CONTENTS This RFP is organized as follows: Preface: Part I Overview Part II Demographics Part III Introduction Part IV Terms and Conditions Part V Specifications Part VI Requirements Part VII Pricing Part VIII References Part IX Attention Vendors Part X Form of Proposal Part XI Notification to Bidders Part XII Connecticut General Statutes 4a-60 Attachment A Part XIII Instructions to Bidders Part XIV Award and Contract Sample Confidentiality Agreement Affidavits Attachments B and C Page 2 of 61 PG022009_Video Programming PART I OVERVIEW UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT Video Programming and/or System Maintenance The University Of Connecticut is soliciting proposals from experienced and qualified Vendors to provide video programming and/or system maintenance services to residence, academic and administrative buildings that meet the characteristics and technical specifications outlined herein. The successful vendor(s) must demonstrate expertise in providing video programming and/or system maintenance services for a major public research university with an academic health center and within private industry, utilizing knowledge of best practices. BACKGROUND The University of Connecticut currently distributes video programming throughout the Storrs campus via an internal fiber optic and coaxial network. This network consists of approximately 6100 active drops to various locations on campus, the majority (94%) deployed in the residential student facilities. The current programming is provided by the University and multiple vendors utilizing various delivery mechanisms. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT The purpose of this RFP is to solicit proposals from firms interested in providing video programming and/or system maintenance services for the University of Connecticut (UConn) University Information Technology Services (UITS). Video programming services must be ready and tested for operation on or prior to July 1, 2009. This Request for Proposal is organized into two sections and will be evaluated independently: 1) programming and 2) maintenance. To satisfy all of the functional and technical requirements for both sections as set forth in Part V of this document, the University may enter into negotiations with one or more interested vendors. Programming and Related Services Requirements • At a minimum, Vendor must reproduce the current programming available to all University recipients. • Vendor must offer additional programming in the form of digital and high definition programming. • Vendor must provide competitive pricing with discount rates during semester breaks and non-session periods. • Vendor must offer additional service options to provide seamless access to University information technology resources (e.g. telephone and data services) to member of the University community not able to utilize the University’s network(s) due to remote location. Systems Maintenance and Operations Technical Support Requirements • Vendor must provide system evaluation and performance monitoring. • Vendor must provide preventative maintenance. • Vendor must provide routine field support as required. • Vendor must provide timely, complete and accurate documentation of maintenance activities, system modifications and as-built information including test results and signal levels, maintained on site and coordinated with designated University personnel. • Vendor must provide adjustments/field balancing of distribution systems required to deliver new programming. DEFINITIONS University of Connecticut, University, School and UConn refer to the University of Connecticut. Page 3 of 61 PG022009_Video Programming University Community is defined as any student, staff, faculty or affiliate working on University business whose official work location is not located on the contiguous campus. Acceptance is defined as the date on which the services are installed on location, have been shown to work per the specifications herein, and vendor has guaranteed that the service components are at the latest versions for all components. "Bidder", "Proposer", "Supplier", "Contractor", "Respondent" and “Vendor” refer to a Company responding to this Request for Proposal. Response time is defined as the period of time between the problem(s) being reported to the Vendor, and when the Technician arrives on-site. Repair time is defined as the period of time between the problem(s) being reported to the Vendor, and when the video programming and/or system maintenance service is operating properly. HUSKYvision is defined as the University of Connecticut’s video programming services and distribution system. PART II DEMOGRAPHICS AND EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE 2.1 UConn is a public research university and academic health center with 8 campuses enrolling approximately 29,000 students in Fall 2008. The original campus (dating to 1881) is located in Storrs, with regional campuses in Avery Point, Greater Hartford, Stamford, Torrington, and Waterbury; Schools of Law and Social Work in West Hartford; and the Academic Health Center, including a 200-bed in- patient facility, in Farmington. For detailed information about the University of Connecticut, please refer to the Web site at: http://www.uconn.edu/about/ 2.1.1 The UConn community is a highly diverse community with significant regional, national and international members. This diverse blend of people imposes a unique requirement that the University video programming on HUSKYvision must include programming across a broad spectrum of interests and languages. 2.2 Overview of Current Video Distribution System The University currently operates a video distribution system to consolidate video programming services, and distribute the signal throughout the Storrs Campus. This distribution system is comprised of a head- end located in Homer Babbidge Library (HBL), a satellite reception compound, and a distribution network consisting of primarily single mode fiber optic cable and occasional coaxial cable throughout the campus. The video connections may be located in classrooms, offices, student rooms, or common areas (lounges). All of the buildings have the ability to receive cable TV services, while some buildings have the ability to receive and broadcast signals. 2.2.1 Head End and Program Acquisition The current programming for the UConn HUSKYvision system is generated in the UITS head end facility in Homer Babbidge Library (HBL), and consists of (83) channels from multiple sources and providers. (See TABLE CHANNEL LINE-UP in Part 5.1.2). For all programming received or generated through TVRO/Satellite reception or that is locally generated by the University as identified in TABLE CHANNEL LINE-UP – Part 5.1.2, all equipment is owned by the University of Connecticut, and may be reused or replaced by the successful bidder, as necessary to meet the requirements of this RFP. This equipment may include, but is not limited to satellite antennas, demodulators, modulators, fiber transmission equipment required to receive the programming and transport it to the head end for insertion into the HUSKYvision combiners. Page 4 of 61 PG022009_Video Programming For all programming currently supplied by Charter Communications as identified in Table 5.1.2, the demarcation of systems is the (demodulators1) located in the equipment cabinets. See Attachment C for a diagram indicating the demarcation point. The HUSKYvision system incorporates an EAS Trilithic text scrolling system into each channel of the channel line-up that is used to disseminate information to the University community, and is a component of the University’s Emergency Communications strategy. This system shall be retained, and must be tested, as defined in Part 5.1.1.7 by the successful bidder(s). 2.2.2 Fiber Distribution The HUSKYvision signal is currently distributed throughout the Storrs Campus primarily through single mode fiber. HUSKYvision fiber distribution is not bi-directional except in a small number of locations and is only used for return video programming and/or system maintenance to the head-end. The fiber transmission equipment consists of various manufacturers with minimum downstream bandwidth of 750 MHz. Optical splitters have been utilized to reduce the quantity of transmitters required to provide signal to campus buildings. This architecture requires multiple intermediate patches in the transmission path to each building fed by fiber. 2.2.3 Building Distribution In-Building distribution of HUSKYvision consists of Blonder Tongue BIDA amplifiers and passive distribution equipment through hard line backbones and 6-series quad shield coaxial cable. The In-Building distribution is primarily downstream only with return pathways balanced in (5) buildings on campus. Page 5 of 61 PG022009_Video Programming PART III INTRODUCTION 3.0 Scope: The University of Connecticut, is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide video programming and/or system maintenance services to be used by the University of Connecticut (UConn) UITS as outlined in Part I. 3.1 It is possible that one bidder may be awarded the Programming Services portion of the RFP and a different bidder

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