The services requested will provide connectivity to each site as specified in the RFP and network diagram attached. The configuration must support QoS, specifically DSCP prioritization end to end for telehealth and secure reliable connections for electronic HIE.
The Rural Health Care Program
The Rural Health Care (RHC) Program supports health care facilities in bringing world-class medical care to rural areas through increased connectivity. It provides up to $400 million annually in reduced rates for broadband and telecom services. There are two subprograms in the RHC Program: the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program and the Telecommunications (Telecom) Program.
The NY Community Broadband Partnership (NYCBP)
The NY Community Broadband Partnership (NYCBP) was formed as a part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Healthcare Connect Program (HCP). The HCP promotes the creation of rural consortiums of healthcare organizations for the development of broadband infrastructure for healthcare providers in rural underserved communities. The consortium can be comprised of rural and urban healthcare partners and is designated rural if there is a 51% or greater representation of rural partners.
NYCBP welcomes rural and urban partners from the communities of New York State to the consortium. All eligible partners will get a 65% discount in their monthly cost for broadband services offered by an Internet Services Provider (ISP) chosen by the consortium. The partners will pay a small subscription fee to NYCBP for the administration and management of the consortium activities.
Questions & Answers
Question 1: Is it possible to waive the hard copy and supply an electronic copy?
Answer 1: No, 1 electronic copy and 1 hard copy are required by the RFP.
Question 2: Can the electronic file be emailed?
Answer 2: Yes, please email rachelm@flchealth.org.
Question 3: For FHN, right now they have the ELAN Network with Spectrum. The bid asks for pricing to each site for Fiber Internet access. I am working on pricing for the internet to each site on a 500mb/1gig/2gig for 3 and 5-year pricing.
Are they looking for bids to the ELAN network as well or just the Fiber Internet?
Answer 3: Currently, FHN has the point-to-point eLAN that ties the locations together (at varying speeds), and they all go out the same static route point DIA (at the administration office). We would replicate that.
Question 4: For ConnextCare, are you looking for Fiber Internet pricing or ELAN pricing?
Answer 4: It’s actually an MPLS network and not ELAN or just a fiber connection.