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NEWSFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contacts

MCNC Communications Hotline: (919) 248.4105

Noah Garrett, NGC Communications, on behalf of MCNC: (252) 423.1277 or press@mcnc.org

Copyright 2011 MCNC. All rights reserved. Visit MCNC online at www.mcnc.org

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MCNC seeks private-sector partner for Golden LEAF Rural Broadband InitiativeProposals from qualified service providers will be received until July 8 at 5 p.m. EST

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (June 17, 2011)MCNC, the private, not-for-profit operator of theNorth Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), announced today that it has released a Request forProposals (RFP) for a private-sector service provider to oversee commercial broadband opportunities included inthe Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative (GLRBI). The GLRBI is the name given to the second of MCNCstwo Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) awards.

The private-sector service provider will be responsible for marketing GLRBI fiber and other broadband services

to private business enterprises, wholesale service providers, and to last-mile service providers who are seeking toexpand service offerings to underserved consumers and businesses in the areas of the GLRBI build. This partneralso will oversee routine and emergency maintenance of the GLRBI fiber. MCNC envisions the partnerfunctioning similarly to FRC/PalmettoNetMCNCs private-sector partner for the first round BTOP award.

Capacity for commercial business and consumer use exists on all new build segments of the GLRBI in NortheastNorth Carolina (including the Outer Banks region), North Central, Graham County, Charlotte to Wilmington,

Charlotte to Kannapolis, and Hamlet to Raleigh routes. Capacity also exits on 180 lateral extensions being built tospecific community anchor institutions (community colleges, colleges and universities, K-12 schools, publiclibraries, public health and non-profit healthcare facilities) in these service regions.

MCNC is a private non-profit whose mission is limited to providing broadband and Internet services tocommunity anchor institutions. As part of the BTOP implementation strategy, MCNC is committed to private-

sector service providers using the GLRBI fiber to grow their service areas and reach underserved consumers andbusinesses in the area of the GLRBI, commented Joe Freddoso, President and CEO of MCNC. Through this

RFP, MCNC will add to the GLRBI project an experienced private-sector partner to oversee these opportunities.

The preferred attributes of the selected partner include:

Existing service provider clientele with industry contacts;

Presence and experience operating in North Carolina;Demonstrated commitment to enabling affordable broadband service for underserved citizens;

Experience in the provision of lit service to other providers;

Experience in Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRU) transactions with commercial business enterprises, public-sector customers, and other service providers;

Knowledge of the NTIA BTOP program and sub-recipient status.

The GLRBI has the potential to allow private-sector telephone and cable companies to reach underservedcitizens and businesses with more affordable broadband services, said e-NC Authority Executive Director JanePatterson, and member of the MCNC Board of Directors. Through this RFP process, a private-sector partner thatshares the commitment to affordable rural broadband access will be added to the GLRBI team.

A direct link to this RFP is available online byclicking here. Proposals will be accepted in electronic format only.

Proposals should be submitted to MCNC Chief Financial Officer Patricia Moody atpmoody@mcnc.org. Vendorsassume all risk of email delivery. The firm deadline for submission is July 8 at 5 p.m. EST. Late proposals willnot be accepted or reviewed.

-more-

http://www.mcnc.org/http://www.mcnc.org/http://www.mcnc.org/https://www.mcnc.org/btop/request-btop2-rfp-fiberpartner.htmlhttps://www.mcnc.org/btop/request-btop2-rfp-fiberpartner.htmlhttps://www.mcnc.org/btop/request-btop2-rfp-fiberpartner.htmlmailto:pmoody@mcnc.orgmailto:pmoody@mcnc.orgmailto:pmoody@mcnc.orgmailto:pmoody@mcnc.orghttps://www.mcnc.org/btop/request-btop2-rfp-fiberpartner.htmlhttp://www.mcnc.org/

8/6/2019 MCNC RFP

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8/6/2019 MCNC RFP

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NEWSFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editorial Contacts

MCNC Communications Hotline: (919) 248.4105

Noah Garrett, NGC Communications, on behalf of MCNC: (252) 423.1277 or press@mcnc.org

Copyright 2011 MCNC. All rights reserved. Visit MCNC online at www.mcnc.org

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About MCNCs Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Awards

MCNC currently is working on a $146 million expansion of the North Carolina Research and Education Networkscheduled to be complete by 2013. This initiative has been labeled the Golden LEAF Rural Broadband Initiative.

To fund this expansion, MCNC applied for and received two U.S. Department of Commerce BroadbandTechnology Opportunities Program (BTOP) awards totaling $104 million. In addition, MCNC raised $42 millionin private matching funds as required by the BTOP program. MCNCs sources of matching funds included $24million from the Golden LEAF Foundation, $8 million from the MCNC Endowment, $4 million from private-sector wholesale telecommunications company FRC, and an estimated $6.55 million through donations of landand existing conduit from individual community colleges, universities, and others including the Albemarle

Pamlico Economic Development Corporation. No direct funding from the State of North Carolina was required.MCNC estimates the expansion of NCREN will create or save 2,500 engineering, construction, andmanufacturing jobs in the state.

Both MCNC awards are a part of a coordinated strategy developed by the Office of the Governor, the N.C. Officeof Economic Recovery & Investment, and e-NC Authority to improve broadband access for businesses andresidents in underserved areas. Once all work is complete, the two rounds of BTOP infrastructure have thepotential to serve directly, or through MCNC partnerships with private-sector service providers, more than 1,500community anchor institutions, 180,000 businesses, and reach more than 300,000 underserved families.

Acceptable Use Policy and Forward-Looking StatementsMCNC, NCREN and the North Carolina STEM Community Collaborative (NC STEM), respect the Intellectual Propertyrights of others. MCNC, NCREN, NC STEM and all other product or service names are registered trademarks in the USAand other countries. indicates USA registration. Whenever your document or writing uses materials or information that iscopyrighted by either MCNC, NCREN or NC STEM, you must obtain permission. All requests for permission to usecopyrighted materials, along with a copy of the materials you wish to use and a description of the document you are writingand how it will be published and/or distributed, should be sent to MCNC, NCREN and/or NC STEM communicationsrepresentatives for prior approval. In addition, certain statements made are considered forward looking, reflecting eachorganizations current intent, belief or expectations. MCNC, NCREN or NC STEM undertake no obligation to publiclyupdate any forward-looking statements herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. For anyadditional questions or for clarity regarding acceptable use, contact the individual organizations communications office.