Resolution 51-22
To: Members of Dublin City Council
From: Megan O’Callaghan, City Manager
Initiated
By:
Michael Farrar, Director of Information Technology
Jennifer Klus, Director of Economic Development
Date: October 18, 2022
Re: Resolution No. 51-22, Declaring Sole Source and Authorizing the City
Manager to enter into an Agreement with the Fishel Company/Columbus
Fibernet/Dublink LLC to Deploy and Splice Certain Fiber Optics
Background
The southwest area of Dublin is the home of growing businesses that need access to
reliable/redundant connectivity, access to data center services, and high-tech office space.
Furthermore, this region is closely connected to the West Innovation District (WID), Dublin’s
showcase business community for forward-thinking companies. Additionally, freeway visibility and
access, proximity to the Ohio University-Dublin Campus, and R&D locations along the 33 Smart
Mobility Corridor make this section of Dublin ideally situated for future development and growth.
However, as it stands now, there is limited, to no access, to Dublink Fiber or the 100 Gb Dublink
Transport in the area.
Dublink Transport is a broadband connection program providing high speed data connectivity from
office buildings to one of two data centers. These data centers provide significant choices of
products, services and connections for local businesses across a redundant fiber connection.
The innovative businesses that WID is intended to attract will need access to high speed fiber. In
order to prepare WID for future development activities, Information Technology and Economic
Development staff plan to install Dublink Fiber along Avery Road between Shier Rings Road and
Woerner Temple Road. This would be accomplished by purchasing 2,950 linear feet of existing
underground 1.25” ID conduit, installing 144 count fiber within the conduit, and connecting the
new fiber into the existing Dublink network. This extension will support the creation of two new
Dublink Transport rings servicing the WID and supporting Economic Development opportunities
along Avery, Woerner Temple and Rings Roads. Additionally, it will provide greater diversity and
redundant paths.
This project will make WID and the southwest area of Dublin more attractive to innovative
businesses and will allow for future physical assets to tie into Dublink with lateral connections by
providing fiber to the curb in these areas. In addition, extending the Dublink network would bring
Dublink close to existing residential developments and future annexation opportunities. Moreover,
extending Dublink and Dublink Transport would signal Dublin’s commitment to continuing to move
forward with implementing and supporting Dublin’s Strategic Framework’s Most Connected-
Infrastructure goal.
Office of the City Manager
5555 Perimeter Drive • Dublin, OH 43017
Phone: 614.410.4400 Memo
Memo re. Declaring Sole Source and Authorizing the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with the Fishel
Company/Columbus Fibernet/Dublink LLC to Deploy and Splice Certain Fiber Optics
October 18, 2022
Page 2 of 2
This forward-thinking deployment is consistent with the deployment of other such conduit systems
throughout Dublin, known as Dublink. Typically, the Fishel Company/Dublink LLC. is franchised
under the City’s Right of Way Management Ordinance and constructs, manages and operates a
multi-conduit system and charges for leases of these conduits to multiple telecom/internet
providers at rates approved by Dublin City Council, thereby minimizing disruption to much of the
City’s rights of way. Additionally, the City of Dublin deploys its own fiber optic bundle throughout
this conduit system. This bundle of fiber is referred to as Dublink. In the case of the areas being
addressed herein, the City chose to construct and retain ownership of its own multi-conduit
infrastructure. Previously last year, Council authorized a revised lease schedule for Dublink fiber
and extension of the maintenance of Dublink fiber by the Fishel Company/Dublink LLC. As part of
that agreement, the City will have the Fishel Company/Dublink LLC. manage the conduit and fiber
optics in this specific area.
Staff has obtained a quote from the Fishel Company/Dublink LLC. for the deployment and splicing
of fiber optics in the City-owned conduit in this area. The total cost for deployment and splicing is
$171,266.09. Collectively, this amount exceeds bidding threshold requirements. The scope of work
for this project is attached with details and associated costs. Staff has determined that these prices
are consistent with the market and previous work performed. The City will be able to allow access
to this fiber at a significantly reduced rate in order to incent competition and capacity while
minimizing construction activity and negative impacts on the infrastructure.
The costs will be covered as provided in the current capital budget.
Recommendation
Staff recommends Council pass Resolution 51-22. The justification for declaring sole source and
waiving competitive bidding is as follows:
1. The Fishel Company/Columbus Fibernet/Dublink LLC built and has managed and
maintained the Dublink conduit system and City-owned Dublink fiber optic since its
inception.
2. Council recently passed a revised lease structure and authorized a maintenance
agreement for the same to manage and maintain the Dublink fiber system going forward,
as well as, the conduit system within the area under consideration.
3. Having Fishel Company/Columbus Fibernet/Dublink LLC construct this portion of the
system is in the City’s best interest because they will manage the system after the fact and
insure all connection points to various laterals are properly constructed.
4. It is imperative, as in the past, that only Fishel Company/Columbus Fibernet/Dublink LLC
conduct the splicing to the existing active fiber optics, which they have been and will
continue to manage. This is the most sensitive part of the project.
City of Dublin
Proposal for: Backbone Build Along Avery
Submitted September 13, 2022
Columbus FiberNet
1366 Dublin Rd
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Executive Summary
Columbus Fibernet on behalf of Team Fishel is pleased to present this proposal for Engineering,
Construction, and Splice to connect backbone fibers from Shier Rings to Woerner Temple in the
City of Dublin fiber optic network.
Project Scope
CFN & Team Fishel will design, permit and construct the following project based on the
information provided:
Underground Permitting :
Create 11x17 construction-grade plan & profiles drawings along with a typical or site
specific
Maintenance of Traffic plan in AutoCAD
Assemble data maps and develop base maps
Incorporate route designs into CADD base maps
Produce scaled plan and profile drawings for permits as required
Update/revise CADD drawings as necessary
Develop as-built drawings for final deliverables
Submit, Track, and acquire all necessary right-of-way encroachment permits from
Dublin
Construction :
Order and stage materials
Call in OUPS at least 48 hours prior to mobilizing to site.
Mobilize to jobsite
Pothole along route approximately 2,950 ft
Bore and place (2) 1.25” conduit for approximately 2,950 ft
Place handholes along the route
Proof and place 4,688 ft of FOC 144F backbone placement
Build Riser and leave fiber tail for for splicing.
At traffic cabinet at Woener & Avery, remove HH and replace.
Cut 24 fiber for slack to make splice and pull back to HH. (traffic cabinet will lose
connection)
Pull in new 24F to Traffic Cabinet.
Restore areas to like condition disturbed by us
Demobilize from jobsite
Splicing :
Supply 24F & 144F Corning SM FOC
Mobilize to MH
Perform safety checks
Set up traffic control
Open existing case and prep 144F into existing splice case (Avery & Shier)
Remove existing fiber tail and new 144 tails into existing splice case, placed on 6100
Avery project
Midspan new 144 for Traffic cabinet (Avery & Woerner)
Splice 4 fibers to restore traffic cabinet
Supply new connectors and reterminate 4 fibers in traffic cabinet
Midspan 24F pool fiber and prep new 144 into that splice case
Demobilize from site
TOTAL PROJECT PRICE: $171,266.09
Exceptions & Clarifications
This quotation is based on the following:
* Dublin’s request for quotation.
* All work will be performed during normal business hours.
* Work to be performed using current prevailing wage rates at time of bid. Should rates change mid
project, a change order will be agreed upon to cover the additional costs.
We have excluded the following:
* Any permit fees associated with Construction as they will be covered by the City of Dublin
* Any franchise agreements that may be needed
* Any Construction or Inspection fees
We have presumed the following:
* Dublin will appoint a representative to act as a single point of contact for CFN/Team Fishel’s on-site
personnel.
Terms & Payment
This quotation is valid for 45 days.
Net 30 Days.
Confidential Information: This proposal and price information is confidential and proprietary, for
use only by the City of Dublin and shall not be disclosed to others.
Thank you for the opportunity to be of service to The City of Dublin.
Customer Acceptance CFN Acceptance
The above prices, specifications and
conditions are satisfactory and hereby
accepted. CFN is authorized to perform the
work. Payment shall be made according to
terms.
Date:___________ P.O.#_______________
Signature:___________________________
Print: ______________________________
Title: _______________________________
Authorized Name:
Matt Blackstone - General Manager
Authorized Signature:
___________________________________