Brief
The Main-Kinzig County (MKK) is the largest district in Hesse, Germany, stretching from Maintal in the west, bordering Frankfurt, to Sinntal in the east, approximately 100 kilometers away. The county spans about 50 kilometers from north to south. In 2012, MKK decided to take the initiative in building the necessary fiber optic network to provide broadband internet. Based on market research, a feasibility study, the EU's Next-Generation Access (NGA) regulations, and federal guidelines for empty conduits, a self-driven expansion of passive infrastructure was carried out. The project is implemented by the 100% county-owned Broadband Main-Kinzig GmbH, established on May 3, 2012. The company's purpose is to plan, create, and lease communication networks for broadband internet provision, without offering active telecommunications services. From 2013 to mid-2015, the county was well supplied with bandwidths of approximately 30 Mbit/s to 50 Mbit/s through the connection of Deutsche Telekom's distribution points via its subsidiary, Broadband Main-Kinzig GmbH. From 2016 to early 2020, additional areas (courtyards, hamlets, as well as all schools, town halls, and properties of the county) were expanded using FTTH (Fiber to the Home). Since 2022, around 150 municipal business areas in Main-Kinzig County have been connected with fiber optics using funding (Gigabit, FTTH to the building). In early 2021, it was decided that all buildings in Main-Kinzig County should be connected with FTTH, provided they can be connected according to funding guidelines (Gigabit; FTTH migration). This measure is based on the federal framework regulation of Germany to support the comprehensive establishment of Gigabit networks in "gray areas" from November 13, 2020 (Gigabit Directive), the directive "Funding to Support the Gigabit Expansion of Telecommunications Networks in Germany" from April 26, 2021 (Funding Directive), along with all ancillary provisions and the EU guidelines for the application of state aid regulations related to rapid broadband expansion (Broadband Guidelines) from January 26, 2013. A tender procedure was initiated in January 2022 to appoint various civil engineering companies as framework contract partners. To date, expansion volumes have been awarded to these framework contract partners, which must be completed by mid-2027. Since the remaining volume cannot be fully covered by the framework contract, the remaining contingents will be awarded through this procedure. This tender procedure includes general contractor services for the construction of the Gigabit network (FTTH) for areas to be developed in 4 lots, consisting of several expansion clusters. The project is divided into four approximately equal lots, each consisting of about 1,500 buildings: • Lot 1: Birstein (POP Birstein) approximately 1,532 buildings in about 13 expansion clusters • Lot 2: Schlüchtern (POP SLÜ) approximately 1,559 buildings in about 8 expansion clusters • Lot 3: Schlüchtern (POP Vollmerz) & HU-Klein-Auheim approximately 1,494 buildings in about 6 expansion clusters • Lot 4: Wächtersbach, Flörsbachtal, Steinau approximately 1,754 buildings in about 9 expansion clusters The exact scope of the lots can be found in the tender documents. There was no limitation on bids. Bidders were free to submit offers for one lot, multiple lots, or all lots. However, the number of lots for which a single bidder could be awarded was limited to two. The contracting authority exercised the option to limit awards in this regard. The construction and the approval and execution planning to be undertaken by the contractor should be carried out in close coordination with Broadband Main-Kinzig GmbH and the planning office Athanus Partners GmbH appointed by the contracting authority. Essential materials will be provided to the contracted construction companies by Broadband Main-Kinzig GmbH.
