PLEASE NOTE: This engagement has a limit of ONE offer per firm. Do not submit more than ONE resource.

Scope of Services

1. County business need/background
Hennepin County's Office of Broadband & Digital Inclusion (OBDI) is seeking a Project Manager for approximately six months, potentially longer. The Office of Broadband & Digital Inclusion leads the county's digital-equity programs, and this PM will be responsible for implementing broadband expansion projects, including infrastructure construction, multifamily Wi-Fi, municipal partnerships and fiber-optics partnerships.
The PM will manage a portfolio of projects that require coordination and execution from multiple partners, internal and external. The PM, under limited supervision, manages all aspects of cost, schedule and performance of technical projects in support of business objectives. Accountable for all projects including highly complex or specialist projects and/or programs. Serves as a single point of contact for senior management within those projects; managing all issues, risks, changes and budgets for these projects. Takes the lead role in implementing project methodology processes providing coaching and direction to other project managers. Collaborates with senior level management, multiple stakeholders and county leadership

2. Work to be performed
Resource will focus on:

1. WiFi deployment in multifamily properties
   1. Evaluation and selection of vendor for system design, installation and support.
   2. Execution of internal county funding and administrative components
   3. Manage portfolio of vendors/projects to design, install and support Wi-Fi deployment in occupied dwellings, including system design, installation and support.
   4. Inspect or facilitate inspection/reporting of completed project, including testing internet connection, speed, strength and weak zones.

1. Fiber planning and deployment
   1. Evaluation and selection of vendor for system design and installation.
   2. Coordination and execution of funding and administrative components, including city, state and vendor partnerships.
   3. Manage portfolio of vendors/projects to design and install fiber.
   4. Coordination of project or project components, including partnerships with city, county, state and vendor staff.

1. Broadband Expansion Project
   1. Assemble county RFP for city broadband projects, including broadband deployment, broadband adoption, and/or community engagement plans and activities.
   2. Lead evaluation, selection and awarding of funding to support city broadband project proposals, including all communication with city and county staff.
   3. Oversee portfolio of awarded projects that cities execute, including communication, tracking, reporting and payment coordination.

1. Additional related projects as they arise

Project deliverables include:

• Provide project schedules and plan work, consult, and communicate with stakeholders.
• Consult and work with customers to make appropriate business and technical decisions.
• Provide periodic analysis and interpretation of project information to stakeholders.
• Drive projects from conception to conclusion.
• Serve as single point of contact for multiple Wi-Fi installation projects, working with vendor, building owner/operator, and county staff to manage all project phases to completion.
• Serve as single point of contact for multiple fiber installation projects, working with vendor, government partners, and county staff to manage all project phases to completion.
• Serve as single point of contact for preparing, awarding, and overseeing county's funding of multiple city-executed projects for broadband deployment, broadband adoption and/or community engagement plans.
• Manage all phases of additional related broadband projects, as they arise and are assigned.

Estimated not-to-exceed amount: Hennepin County will not be providing an NTE amount for this engagement, please propose your resource's billable hourly rate based on experience and the proposed work.
Estimated start date: 07/10/2023
Estimated end date: 12/31/2023
Onsite or remote: Consultant needs to be onsite to perform services, such as oversight/walkthrough work at locations throughout the county where projects are being installed.
Fulltime or parttime: Full-time, 40 hours per week


3. Specific skills/experience required
Knowledge of:

• Networking/public Wi-Fi installation; IT systems; formal project management methodology (project integration, scope, time, cost, communications, risk management and awareness of organizational change management); system development methodology, application development principles and process; basic knowledge of infrastructure and platforms; office productivity software (i.e. Microsoft Office); basic SharePoint document management.

Ability to:

• Organize and plan work effectively; manage projects per project charter; proactively manage schedules and forecasts in MS Project and Project Server; consult and communicate with project stakeholders; coordinate system implementation plans; provide project work direction to project team members; manage project lifecycle budget; prepare written proposals and project management core documents; manage a project through all phases; consult and work with customers to make appropriate business and technical decisions; provide excellent customer service; make improvements, solve problems, or take corrective action when problems arise; motivate, inspire and influence team members, senior management, sponsors, peers and others; handle and diffuse conflict; provide periodic analysis and interpretation of project information to stakeholders

Desired experience and skills in the following:

• Wi-Fi installations, especially residential
• Networking, prefer certification (such as Cisco Certified Network Professional)
• Outside plant fiber optics
• Public sector, especially county and/or municipal

NOTE: This engagement has a limit of ONE offer per firm. Do not submit more than ONE resource.