Arizona is expected to publish an RFP for its statewide middle-mile broadband network as early as next week, IJGlobal has learnt.

Through this solicitation, Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) along with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is seeking a private partner for its broadband operations, maintenance, and commercialisation (OMC) project.

The RFP is expected to have a January 2023 deadline while the concession is anticipated to last 25 years with an option to extend, according to a source close to the project.

Market sounding for the project was conducted earlier this year (April 2022).

Currently, the scope of the broadband OMC project includes a network for highways I-17, I-19, I-40 and any additional corridors included in the statewide middle mile strategic plan.

The PB will be responsible for:

• developing and maintaining ADOT’s broadband network
• DBOM and commercialise the developer’s broadband network
• potentially DBOM and commercialise additional corridors (interstate highways and state routes)

The procuring authority is working with the following advisers on this project:

• KPMG – financial
• Hunton Andrews Kurth – legal

ACA was contacted for comment but did not reply by the time of publication.