June 9, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network, Inc. has selected CCI Systems as Outside Plant Engineering Contractor for Merit’s Round 2 broadband stimulus project, REACH-3MC II. CCI Systems was selected from a number of qualified engineering firms that responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) that Merit issued in September of 2010.
While there were several strong proposals, Merit’s team thoroughly reviewed all RFPs and determined that CCI could deliver the most competitive solution for the engineering needs of the REACH-3MC II project, which will build 1,270 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula, with key interconnection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
“CCI Systems brings to the project extensive experience working in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Wisconsin and Minnesota,” said Bob Stovall, vice president, network operations and engineering for Merit Network. “Their knowledge of the terrain, geography and conditions of these northern areas will be an asset moving forward.”
“Additionally, CCI offers breadth and depth of industry experience, having worked in some capacity with all of the top MSOs (Multiple System Operators) in the United States and maintained relationships with major equipment vendors to stay current on related technologies,” he said.
About Merit Network
Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.
For more information: www.merit.edu
About REACH-3MC
The REACH Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative (REACH-3MC) will build 2,287 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The network will also provide backhaul to key connection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Led by Merit Network, Michigan’s research and education network, REACH-3MC includes sub-recipients from the private sector to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 52 counties that make up the project service area. REACH-3MC is funded by a two grants (Round I and Round II) from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), commonly referenced as the Stimulus Package.
About CCI Systems
CCI Systems is the nation’s premier end-to-end solutions provider of communication network services. With over 50 years of experience engineering, constructing, and integrating complex networks, CCI Systems is able to deliver flexible, custom solutions for all network platforms.
For more information visit: www.ccisystems.com
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