Revised April 19th, 2016
The Federal Communications Commission will hold a voluntary auction of spectrum currently held by television stations, and has encouraged stations to participate in the auction by surrendering all of their spectrum, sharing spectrum with another station, or moving to a less desirable portion of the spectrum. Once the auction is over, many television stations will be forced to change channel assignments during the channel repacking. It is possible that this process will create areas that are no longer able to access public television, as the contours of stations change, and as station translators are forced off the air.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) seeks the services of a consultant(s) (Consultant) knowledgeable in television broadcasting technology, business operations and policy to assist CPB with: 1) identifying areas where there may be a potential loss of public television service after the auction and the resulting channel repacking, and providing CPB with a detailed report and recommendations on how to restore service to those areas, and 2) research and prepare scenarios/solutions for potential issues stations may face in the channel repacking following the auction, and 3) after completing the report, provide assistance to CPB and stations on an as-needed basis with issues resulting from the auction including the repacking. The Consultant will work closely with CPB throughout the process and in determining the parameters of the report, keeping CPB apprised of any issues as they arise.
CPB understands that individual firms may not have the necessary expertise to provide the services requested. Accordingly, CPB will consider joint proposals submitted by collaborating organizations. CPB will contract with the lead party which will be responsible for the final product.
Applicants should propose a fixed fee for developing the report on how to address the loss of service to communities and the scenarios/solutions for potential issues stations may face in the channel repacking. The report should be completed on or about September 2016. For any additional services CPB requires thereafter, CPB will compensate the Consultant on an hourly agreed upon rate. The contract term will end March 2017 and thereafter, CPB will have the option to extend the term of the agreement for an additional six months, at agreed upon hourly rates, for any additional assistance CPB may require relating to issues arising from the auction.