Merit Network Selects Power & Tel as Materials Supplier for Reach-3MC
Ann Arbor-based Merit Network Inc. has selected Memphis, Tennessee-based Power & Telephone Supply Co. as materials supplier for Merit's Round 1 broadband stimulus project, Reach-3MC.
Power & Tel was selected from a number of qualified suppliers that responded to a Request for Proposals Merit issued in July 2010.
Merit said its team thoroughly reviewed all RFPs and determined that Power & Tel could deliver the most competitive solution for the material needs of their Round 1 REACH-3MC project, which will build 1,017 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
Among the components that make up the material needs of the Reach-3MC project are splice enclosures, hand holes, strand, and lashing wire.
"Power & Tel's proposal was the most complete and cost-competitive of any solution that we received," said Pete Miller, Merit's director of network engineering and operations. "Power & Tel offers a wide range of product offerings to meet the needs of the REACH-3MC project."
"The Power & Tel tracking process will allow Merit to access information about our materials in real time," he said. "We are also very confident that Power & Tel's kitting process will help to ensure project construction will not be unnecessarily delayed due to a lapse in materials delivery."
Through Power & Tel's "Bluelink" ordering and PTMI (Power & Tel Managed Inventory) tracking application, Merit engineers and project managers will have access to real time order status and materials consumption information.
Additionally, Power & Tel offers a "Miracle Mile" and kitting service. Through this service, Power & Tel will work with Merit to ensure all the necessary construction hardware is kitted and shipped to the most appropriate build location in the state.
Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan's public universities, 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 on the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking solutions to Michigan's public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations.
The Reach Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative will build 1,017 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Reach-3MC will connect 44 community anchor institutions as the network is built and will pass 391 more over time. Reach-3MC also engages three sub-recipients from the private sector, ACD.net, LYNX, and TC3 net, to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 33 counties that make up the project service area. Merit Network received Reach-3MC is funded by a grant from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, commonly referenced as the federal stimulus.
Power & Tel is an industry leader in the procurement, sales, material management and distribution of product solutions to the global telecommunications marketplace.
More at www.ptsupply.com or www.merit.edu.
