State of Illinois

(in Partnership with the Northridge Group)

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) operates one of the most advanced state networks in the nation, the Illinois Century Network (ICN). The ICN connects more than 8,000 sites across the State and continues to grow daily, currently expanding its fiber infrastructure based on funding under the NTIA BTOP program. The ICN consolidates information technology services for State agencies as well as providing interconnection for K-12, higher education and other affiliated organizations. CMS also provides cost-effective purchasing contracts for local interconnection to the ICN high-speed backbone.

Central Management Services and the Illinois Century Network

Created and executed a strategy for procuring $500 million in telecommunications services based on statewide 10-year contracts. Worked with technical teams to envision the future of the Illinois Century Network including the need for full lambda services and dark fiber for the backbone as well as metro-Ethernet connections for the clients. Wrote detailed RFPs and associated scoring criteria. Supported the bidding, scoring and awarding of the contracts.

 

Illinois Broadband Opportunity Partnership

Building upon previous work with the Illinois Century Network, supported the State of Illinois’ application for the NTIA Broadband Technology Opportunity Program. Won $62.9 million to support the $88 million project to expand fiber-optic broadband services across 55 rural counties.

 

DWDM Equipment Selection

Worked with the technical team at the Illinois Century Network to define the requirements for the Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) equipment required to light dark fiber to expand the capacity of the statewide backbone. Wrote detailed RFPs and associated scoring criteria.