Puerto Rico opens broadband RFP for 1,600 institutions
The Puerto Rico Broadband Program, part of the Office of Management and Budget, has issued a request for proposals to design, deploy and maintain high-speed broadband service for more than 1,600 community anchor institutions across the island.
The effort is financed through the federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and is intended to narrow Puerto Rico’s digital divide through resilient and scalable infrastructure.
According to the RFP, the project will ensure that schools, libraries, health centers and public safety entities receive reliable 1-gigabit symmetrical broadband with latency below 100 milliseconds.
The solicitation was published Oct. 3, with proposals due Oct. 15 and preliminary awards expected Oct. 17.
The process is part of what federal officials call the “Benefit of the Bargain Round,” a competitive stage required by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to promote technology neutrality and cost efficiency. Applicants may propose fiber, fixed wireless, hybrid or satellite solutions, provided they meet BEAD’s performance standards.
The project is also expected to align with Puerto Rico’s ongoing Underground Conduit System RFP, which seeks to create a shared, open-access backbone to strengthen network resiliency. Proposals must integrate with that conduit wherever possible to avoid duplication and maximize federal funding.
The Broadband Program said applicants must guarantee affordability, reliability and sustainability in their designs.
“This approach ensures that Puerto Rico’s investment in broadband infrastructure delivers long-term value and equitable access for all communities,” the document states.
