Transport and Connectivity
Data transported within state government is combined onto the Wide Area Network (WAN) infrastructure managed by WaTech. Managing this much demand in one place means WaTech can competitively acquire large amounts of bandwidth, driving down costs while boosting speed and capacity. WaTech can act as your single point of contact for designing, ordering, implementing and operating networks - dispatching staff around the clock to resolve problems and work with vendors. Our aim is to help you focus on your core business.
The service availability objective is 99.9% for Transport and Connectivity measured on a monthly basis. WaTech continually works with our providers on meeting the contractual obligations to ensure the availability of the Data Network.
Transport and Connectivity is made up of the following components:
- Customer Site Connectivity
- Provider and Customer Edge Devices
Features & Benefits
Customer Site Connectivity
- Provider Last Mile is used to facilitate customer site connectivity to the state network.
- State Metropolitan Optical Network (SMON) is a series of interconnected managed fiber rings established between select areas of Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey. Agency offices within the service area of the SMON may be connected to this network.
- Campus Fiber Network (CFN) allows customer sites to be connected using fiber optic facilities installed throughout the Capitol Campus. CFN circuits are primarily terminated into SMON node sites.
Provider and Customer Edge (PE/CE) devices and management
WaTech owns and manages all Provider Edge (PE) devices that are deployed at sites housing multiple WaTech customers. PE devices allow secure transport of data through one physical circuit to multiple customers at a site. Customer Edge (CEs) devices are customer owned and typically co-managed by WaTech (for details see our CE Service Announcement).
View a detailed list of roles and responsibilities.
Ethernet Transport and Connectivity contracts and procurement process
WaTech is committed to the pursuit of continual reevaluation, adjustment and expansion of the contracts we manage to ensure our customers can meet their business needs. We also want to ensure our customers are receiving the best service, support and price.
WaTech has executed a new approach to procuring network services. This approach will help meet our goals of expanding access to vendors, improving the predictability of circuit installation dates, harmonizing contract management across all vendors, increasing flexibility for upgrades and meeting other technical needs.
WaTech uses Ethernet provider Master Service Agreements (MSAs) to assist in the procurement of networking services. These services include, but are not limited to local access connectivity, WAN connectivity and data transport services.
Any vendor that is interested in selling goods or services within scope of the Master Services Agreement ("MSA") and related technical addendums may participate in our procurements once the vendor signs and returns the MSA and technical addendum(s).
The first two technical addendums are for Wireline Ethernet and Fixed Wireless. WaTech will send bid requests to any vendors with a signed MSA and technical addendum for the service being procured. Here are links to the above-referenced agreement and addendum:
- Wireline Ethernet Technical Addendum
- Fixed Wireless Technical Addendum
- PRI T-1 Voice Services Addendum
- Broadband ISP Services Addendum
- TDM Services Addendum
- SIP Voice Services Addendum
List for pool of vendors who have signed the MSA, and the Addendums they have signed up for:
| Vendor | MSA# | Wireline Ethernet Addendum |
Fixed Wireless Addendum |
PRI T-1 Voice Services Addendum | Broadband ISP Services Addendum | TDM Services | SIP Voice Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AccelNet | 18-008 | ||||||
| Lumen (CenturyLink) | 17-114 | X | X | X | |||
| Comcast | 17-116 | X | X | X | X | ||
| Granite Telecommunications | 21-037 | X | |||||
| Hughes Network | 20-038 | X | |||||
| Jamestown Network | 19-049 | X | X | ||||
| Lightspeed Networks | 21-033 | X | X | X | |||
| RingSquared (Magna5) | 18-025 | X | X | X | X | ||
| NoaNet | 17-120 | X | X | X | |||
| Northwest Fiber d/b/a Ziply | 17-117 | X | X | X | |||
| StarTouch | 17-122 | X | X | ||||
| Threshold | 18-042 | X | X | X | X | ||
| Verizon | 21-042 | X | |||||
| Visionary Networks (dba Mammoth Networks) | 17-149 | X | X | ||||
| Astound (Wave) | 17-123 | X | X | X | X | ||
| Wholesail Networks | 17-121 | X | X | ||||
| Mega Corp Telecom | 24-017 | X | X |
This is the Contract List for the pool of the old Secondary Ethernet pre-approved vendors (not available for further procurement after June 30, 2017. This list and links are being maintained until all Ethernet circuits have been procured under the MSA):
| Vendor | Contract |
|---|---|
| 360 Networks (Zayo) | T11-PCH-528 |
| CenturyLink | T11-PCH-529 |
| Charter Business | T11-PCH-530 |
| Comcast | T11-PCH-527 |
| Frontier Communications | T12-PCH-738 |
| NoaNet | T12-PCH-740 |
| Noel Communications | T12-PCH-741 |
| Star Touch | T12-PCH-742 |
| Wave Broadband fka Capacity Provisioning | T11-PCH-525 |
| Target Timeline | Current Expected Timeline | Activity Description | Opportunities to Expedite |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 1 day | Initial notice of new circuit order. Need for new/replacement Ethernet circuit identified (example, customer sends request to WaTech for new Ethernet circuit or WaTech initiates request). | Complete and submit the EDN Request Form. |
| 7 days | 21 days | Requirements validation between customer and WaTech and those requirements are finalized | Request accuracy and timely response to follow-up inquiries. |
| 7 days | 14 days | Requirements finalized for Request for Quote (RFQ) and sent to Contracts and Procurement Office for publication. | Non-traditional requests/sites may increase this timeline |
| 28 days | 35 days |
|
The RFQ process is time bound and allows for little room to expedite |
| 7 days | 7 days | Vendor RFQ debrief/dispute period. | |
| 7 days | 7 days | Contract for circuit is finalized and executed by the Vendor and WaTech. | |
| 3 days | 3 days | Order placed with vendor and tentative due date is received. | |
| Subject to vendor-contracted installation estimates (1-120 days) |
Subject to vendor- contracted installation estimates (1-150 days) |
Vendor performs all required activities to implement/install contracted circuits *Activities include: securing construction permits, easement approvals, construction, cabling, customer handoffs, etc. | Local Contacts (LCON) are crucial for a timely install. This process can be expedited by the LCON by facilitating vendor access and circuit installation milestone dates. |
| 1 day | 1 days | Vendor delivers circuit to WaTech. | |
| 3-15 days | 15-45 days | WaTech, Agency and Vendor perform schedule final implementation date schedule. *Activities include: establish cutover date, complete circuit testing, accept circuit as officially delivered. | Facilitating pre-cut and cut-over dates once notified of circuit delivery. |
Pricing
Network Allocated customers
In the 2015-2017 Biennial budget the Legislature allocated WaTech's current customers with this intent:
-The agency [WaTech] will take over responsibility from agencies for management of and connectivity to these networks, enabling it to more efficiently manage enterprise network resource needs. The full cost of the networks will be allocated...
The majority of Washington State Agencies were part of this network allocation. Incremental additions and subtractions of services do not result in additional or reduced billing for network allocated customers. Excluded from network allocation is customer local area networks, wireless services, voice services, and audio/video conferencing services.
To find out if your request is covered by network allocation, email the WaTech Support Center or call 360-586-1000 or 855-Watech1.
Network Allocation Guidelines
Included in network allocation for Transport and Connectivity is:
- Circuit Monthly Recurring Cost (MRC)
- Non Recurring Costs (NRC) up to a set amount
- Purchase and maintenance of Provider Edge (PE) devices where multiple customers are at the same site
- Note: All WaTech managed Transport must terminate to a WaTech site
Not Currently Allocated (Customer Fiscal Responsibilities)
- Non Recurring Costs (NRC) exceeding a set amount
- Termination Liability for circuits cancelled by customer prior to the end of the request term
- Non-standard/exceptional (one off) costs
- Purchase and maintenance of Customer Edge (CE) devices
- Funding multiple circuits to one site/customer (Example, Transport & Connectivity Services for Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity purposes)
- Campus fiber network routes are $655 per connection, per month (Olympia campus only)
- Campus fiber certification for speeds 1Gbps and higher are $655 per connection, one time charge (Olympia campus only)
Non Allocated customers
Rates are tailored to meet customer's business needs. Please contact WaTech for a consultation and customized quote.
How to Order
Contact the WaTech Support Center to schedule an operational consultation.
- Submit a ticket through our Customer Portal.
- Phone: 360.586.1000 or 1.855.WaTech1 (1.855.928.3241)
- Email: support@watech.wa.gov
If you have questions or need assistance regarding a strategic consultation, please contact your agency Business Relationship Manager (BRM).
Pre-service requirements
To obtain services from WaTech, eligible organizations must enter into a Master Service Agreement (MSA).
Complete and submit the EDN Customer Request Form to help WaTech gather collaborative requirements.
WaTech staff will contact you to capture detailed requirements and necessary information for your request, answer questions, and plan for the requested service or cancellation.
Service Forms & Documents
855.WaTech1 or 360.586.1000