Providing for the sale or lease of the Iowa communications network

The bill further provides that an independent appraisal firm shall conduct an appraisal of the network to determine the current market value of the network’s assets. Such firm shall be selected through a competitive bidding process not associated with the network or any of its vendors. The bill requires the results of the audit, accounting, and appraisal to be made available to the public. The bill conditions the sale or lease of the network as follows: public funds shall not be used to secure the purchase of the network; if the commission seeks outside assistance to implement the RFP process, such assistance shall be provided by an independent professional firm selected through a competitive bidding process not associated with the network or any of its vendors; the RFP shall include a complete list of all of the assets subject to the sale or lease, which shall not be materially altered after the RFP is released; the RFP shall allow a bidder to purchase the network’s assets relating to the Iowa national guard; the RFP shall not require a bidder to subsidize the network’s services that are operating at a loss, maintain the network’s billing and procurement system, maintain or employ the network’s employees, or segregate operations; and the winning bidder shall demonstrate a commitment to serving the citizens of Iowa and facilitating rural broadband service as specified in the bill. The bill requires the commission to submit status reports to the general assembly every three months, beginning October 1, 2019, regarding progress made toward selling or leasing the network.