August 5, 2011
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Merit Network, Inc. has selected TurnKey Network Solutions as Outside Plant (OSP) Engineering Contractor for Merit’s Round 2 broadband stimulus project, REACH-3MC II. TurnKey was selected from a number of qualified engineering firms that responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) that Merit issued in September of 2010.
TurnKey will perform OSP engineering for the portion of the REACH-3MC II network build out in the Northern Lower Peninsula. CCI Systems of Iron Mountain has been selected to perform OSP engineering for REACH-3MC II in the Upper Peninsula.
While there were several strong proposals, Merit’s team thoroughly reviewed all RFPs and determined that TurnKey Network Solutions 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.
TurnKey Network Solutions was also selected to perform OSP Engineering for Merit Network’s Round 1 broadband stimulus project, REACH-3MC in June of 2010. Combined, both Round 1 and Round 2 projects will create a 2,287-mile network extension for Merit Network.
“Merit has employed the services of TurnKey for fiber construction and outside plant engineering in the past,” said Merit’s Vice President of Network Operations, Bob Stovall. “They are a Michigan-based company that has established a good reputation in the Midwest. Their familiarity with Merit and with the REACH-3MC service area made TurnKey an ideal candidate for the engineering on the second round of funding in the Northern Lower Peninsula.”
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 TurnKey
TurnKey Network Solutions is a privately held telecommunications contractor based in Grand Rapids, MI that focuses on providing a complete solution to our customers telecom infrastructure needs. TurnKey offers a complete line of services ranging from outside plant (OSP) engineering, construction, and maintenance to Central Office (CO) design, installation and equipment test/turn up with their Network Services team. Turnkey is also a Premier Certified distributor of the full range of Cisco electronics with a focus on optical transmission products. For More information: www.tkns.net
For more information: http://www.tkns.net
[meritmediacontact]