The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) employs two overall strategies in achieving its communication objectives. These are Inter-Governmental Partnering and Resource Sharing. The benefits are significant cost savings and improved operational efficiencies. MDOT SHA’s communication objectives support multiple statewide applications, including MDOT SHA’s Intelligent Transportation System (ITS); Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART); Network Maryland; data and voice communications; video teleconferencing; and other broadband services.

MDOT SHA allows non-exclusive use of its rights of way, other MDOT SHA real estate; and its existing communications infrastructure by a public/private entity for the installation, operation and maintenance of communications systems for themselves in exchange for providing communications equipment, services, and/or monetary revenue/compensation to MDOT SHA. Resource sharing undertaken by MDOT SHA and a public/private entity may include installation of conduit and fiber optic cabling facilities, construction of new wireless communication facilities, colocation of wireless communication facilities on existing towers or allocation of fiber strands acquired from previous resource sharing projects or other transportation technologies, such as data sharing.

Resource Sharing Prop​osals

Submit resource sharing proposals to:

or via email to RSA_Utilities@mdot.maryland.gov

Proposal Format

Part I - Executive Summary

1. Condense and highlight the contents, including the benefits to Maryland's economy and the Value to the State Estimate. The Executive Summary should provide an overview of the entire proposal.
2. Add examples of benefits to the State of Maryland’s economy. You may include:
• The estimated percentage of contract dollars to be recycled into Maryland’s economy in support of this proposal through Maryland subcontractors, suppliers and joint venture partners.
• The estimated number and types of jobs for Maryland residents resulting from this proposal.
• Tax revenues to be generated for Maryland and its political subdivisions as a result of this proposal.
• The estimated percentage of subcontract dollars committed to Maryland small businesses and minority business enterprises (MBEs).

Part II - Value to the State Estimate

1. Submit a “Value to the State Estimate.” It should be a full itemization (monetary compensation, equipment, services, etc.) of the items in the total value of its offer to the State.  
2. MDOT SHA​ may ask you to hire an independent, third-party firm or consultant to provide a certified statement of the economic value for the Value to the State Estimate. MDOT SHA will alert you if you need to provide this third-party certification. This certification should include a detailed explanation of how you calculated value.

Longitudinal Installation Proposals

1. When formulating Longitudinal Installation proposals, address the following:
• Proposed route map with enough detail to see intersecting streets and names.
  
• Fiber or conduit offered to the MDOT SHA.
  
• Proposed access points (manholes, hand holes, etc.).
  
• Supporting equipment, cabinets, shelters (above ground facilities). Explain any special considerations.
  
• Preliminary cross sections and details.
  
• Requested term of the agreement.
  
• Monetary compensation offered to the MDOT SHA.
  
2. Refer to the Department of Information Technology’s rate sheets for the formula as well as rates.  

Macro Wireless Telecommunications Proposals

1. When formulating Macro Wireless Telecommunications proposals, address the following:
• Proposal site location with physical address and latitude & longitude.
  
• “Colocate” or “new build.”
  
• Height of existing or proposed tower.
  
• Number, model and size of antennae to be installed on the tower.
  
• Number and size of feed lines.
  
• Power and telecommunications availability/requirements including any special considerations.
  
• Preliminary site plan showing tower, requested ground space, equipment pad for the shelter or cabinets, and proposed access to the site.
  
• Requested term of the agreement.
  
2. Determine the monetary value for new macro wireless telecommunication using the Maryland Department of Information Technology’s (DoIT) Tower Resource Sharing - Standard Pricing Schedule and Matrix (latest revision), of antenna types and Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volumes.
• Determine the ADT using data from the Maryland highways surrounding the proposed macro wireless telecommunication location.
• ADT’s for Maryland highways are at Traffic Volume Maps by County.
• The DoIT’s Tower Resource Sharing - Standard Pricing Schedule is below.
  
• Use the monetary value determined from this matrix in your Value to the State Estimate for Macro Wireless Telecommunication proposal.
3. Determine the monetary value for the colocation of wireless telecommunications on an existing tower from the current monetary compensation received from the tower’s telecommunications carrier. Use this monetary value in your Value to the State Estimate for Macro Wireless Telecommunication Colocation proposal.

Micro Wireless (Small Cell) Telecommunications Proposals

1. When formulating Micro Wireless Telecommunications proposals, address the following:
• Proposal site location with physical address and latitude & longitude
  
• Height of existing or proposed new pole
• Number, model and size of antennae to be installed
• Number and size of feed lines
• Power & telecommunications availability/requirements, including any special considerations
• Preliminary site plan showing pole, requested ground space, equipment pad for cabinet, and proposed access to the site
• Requested term of the agreement
2. Determine the monetary value for new micro wireless telecommunication using the Maryland Department of Information Technology’s (DoIT) Tower Resource Sharing - Standard Pricing Schedule and Matrix (latest revision), of Micro Wireless antennae.
• The DoIT’s Tower Resource Sharing - Standard Pricing Schedule is below.
• Use the monetary value determined from this matrix in your Value to the State Estimate for Micro Wireless Telecommunication proposal

Part IV - Concept Plans/Technical Drawings

1. Concisely prepare your concept plans and technical drawings. Make sure to describe the proposal in visual detail.
2. After receiving approval to negotiate from the Maryland Legislative Policy Committee (LPC), provide MDOT SHA with fully engineered plans. MDOT SHA will review them and work with you toward approval.

Important links

Fiber Optic Standard Pricing Schedule

Macro Tower Standard Pricing Schedule

Small Cell Standard Pricing Schedule

Non-Highway Right-of-Way Land Standard Pricing Schedule

For Exemption Requests

Private Industry Installation and Use of Fiber Optic Cable in State Rights-of-Way

Nonprofit Proposals to Install Broadband Communication in State Rights-of-Way

DoIT RSA Rural and Unserved Broadband Fee Waiver

If your telecommunicatio​ns company seeks to install fiber optic lines and wants one of three possible exemptions, submit the corresponding supplemental form below.

1. Certification of Statutory Authority and Use_RSA PGM 01 Supplement No. 3
2. RSA Proposal Application - Supplement No 1 - RURAL AND UNSERVED BROADBAND SERVICE RSA FEE WAIVER
3. RSA Proposal Application - Supplement No 2 - NONPROFIT TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER CERTIFICATION

DoIT RSA Proposal Application 2020