MLSASecB-Amd3.doc

Solicitation 7TF-07-0006

August 17, 2007

Metropolitan Local Services Acquisition (MLSA) Amendment No. 3 Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Albuquerque 11/21/2007

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1 Specification

Only telecommunications service providers certified by the Texas Public Utility Commission, Louisiana Public Service Commission, and the New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission will be considered as acceptable to respond to this solicitation. The awards made as the result of this solicitation will be known as Metropolitan Local Services Acquisitions (MLSAs). MLSAs will be identified specifically by the metropolitan area they serve. The identification of the separate award areas will be as follows: Albuquerque – AQ MLSA, New Orleans – NO MLSA, and San Antonio – SA MLSA. Since the current contract for Dallas and Fort Worth is large and difficult to manage, there will be a separate contract for the Dallas and Fort Worth metropolitan areas. These contracts will be known as the DA MLSA and the FW MLSA respectively. The provider(s) that win awards under this solicitation shall furnish all personnel, materials, and services necessary to perform the requirements set forth in this contract. Please note, the nouns “provider,” “contractor,” and “vendor” are used interchangeably in this document to identify the company or companies that are awarded contracts as a result of this solicitation. Due to the special billing and Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) requirement, the Government will not be using Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items.

B.2 Prices

The offeror shall propose fixed price schedules for all specified services and related features identified in Section C including management and operations requirements in Section G for each applicable year of an eight (8) year period. The fixed prices for services in the Section B – Pricing Schedules shall not include federal, state, or local taxes and duties in effect on the contract date that the taxing authority is imposing and collecting on the transactions or property covered by this contract. The offeror shall provide in Volume III of Section L.11.2, of its proposal a separate itemized list of these taxes that would be included in its monthly invoices, including the name of the tax, jurisdiction by name (identifying the affected NPANXX Rate Groups), reference to the statutory source(s) for the tax and the applicable tax rate. Prices offered shall not exceed the limits established in H.4. All orders under this contract shall not exceed the prices contained in the price schedules of this Section B.

This solicitation defines features that are inherent within the base price and may not be unbundled from the base price. These features are considered part of the basic service listed on the Services Table of the Section B – Pricing Schedule. The service prices shall exclude all taxes. Universal Service Fund (USF), Pre-subscribed Inter-exchange Carrier Charges (PICC), and End User Common Line (EUCL) are considered as part of the basic service price. The basic service price shall be entered under the appropriate columns labeled with “Firm Fixed…” in the column headings of Tables B.7.2.1 and B.7.2.2. Firm fixed prices will be entered for both Service Installation Charges (SIC) and Monthly Recurring charges in the tables. The taxes excluded from the basic service price for these services will be identified in the column marked “Taxes...” Taxes vary by state and application. Taxes may be entered in the column as a percentage, specific dollar amounts, or referenced to a table that identifies the tax per municipality. The column labeled “All Inclusive Total…” will reflect the total of the basic service price plus taxes if taxes can be entered. If taxes are not a fixed amount or percentage, the column should include the reference to the tax table, i.e. “Col B of tax table.”

All NPA/NXXs currently used or resold by the offeror anywhere within the award area(s) defined in C.1 shall be priced. Awards will be made to the offeror(s) that provide telecommunications services that match those in this solicitation and sold to commercial customers. Not all services must be matched to win an award. The offers shall be priced in no more than 3 rate groups.* All current and future NPA/NXXs in the same exchange area will be in the same rate group. If an offeror proposes more than one rate group in the same exchange area, the lowest priced rate group will prevail. The offeror needs to include only the NPA/NXXs used to provide the types of services in this solicitation. The NPA/NXXs will be listed in Section B - Pricing Schedules of the offeror’s response to this solicitation.

* Please note, the offeror may choose to offer one (1) to three (3) rate groups for the locations listed in B.7.2.13. If the “best price” can be applied to an entire award area, only one rate group is required. The Government will consider two additional rate groups should it choose to expand the award area as described in C.1.2. As with the initial awards, the Government will not expand any contract unless there is an advantage to the Government.

B.2.1 Service Prices All Inclusive Any service-related price for the service categories Circuit Switched Services (CSS) and Dedicated Transmission Services (DTS), in this contract, for which a price is not specifically identified by the offeror, shall be considered to be included in the price of another item or provided at no cost to the Government unless otherwise provided in this contract.

B.3 Solicitation/Contract Line Item Numbers

The Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) for service types are identification (ID) numbers that identify services and features. The CLINs used and provided in Table B.7.2.1, B.7.2.2, B.7.2.3 and B.7.2.4 in the Section B - Pricing Schedules of this solicitation will be used for ordering services. CLINs for optional features that may be ordered by the Government are in Table B.7.2.6. Other CLINs that may be ordered by the Government are for local loop extension (Table B.7.2.8), and Moves and Reconfigurations (Table B.7.2.10). CLINs that cover other offerings are in Table B.7.2.10. Although the providers are required to meet minimum capabilities in C.2, they must provide the telecommunications services and features that are normally provided to commercial customers and that are identified in this solicitation. If the offeror can meet the minimum capabilities identified in C.2, the offeror will not be required to provide any other service or feature that is not offered in a particular area. The current contracts should have identical CLINs in place for most all services and features in use. Exceptions may include services that are grandfathered by the incumbent contractor. Offerors providing services that will replace the grandfathered services will be afforded the opportunity to do so if the pricing and/or proposed service offers a worthwhile advantage to the Government.

B.4 Customer Addresses

Customers with existing telephone lines are depicted in Section B - Pricing Schedule, B.7.2.13 by street address and city. The addresses with the existing number of telephone lines represent requirements known at this time. Any change of addresses during the term of this contract will be administered through delivery orders issued against the contract. Addition of new addresses that result in additional telephone lines for any individual city shall be provided at no increase in unit cost to the Government. Fluctuations in actual quantities of telephone lines/services identified shall not be the cause for price increase. Service(s) offered after the award that match those in this solicitation shall be offered in a modification by the contractor within four (4) weeks after the telecommunications services are available to commercial customers. Any product or service requested by the Government or proposed by the contractor shall be added to the contract for any particular site shall be offered by modification as required in accordance with FAR 52.243-1, Changes-Fixed Price referenced in Section I.

B.5 Pricing Information

Offerors are required to submit pricing information to support the offeror’s total unit contract prices. Prices shall be offered for the base period (1st three years) and five (5) one (1) year options including services and option features offered in Section B - Price Schedule.* Additional pricing information shall include the following, in accordance with Section L.11.2 of this solicitation:

1. Description of products and services offered.

2. Quantities of products and services offered.

3. Unit prices of installing each product (if applicable).

4. Monthly recurring prices of individual services.

5. Other Supporting Services applicable to the state/city offered (e.g. ISDN, Voice Mail, BRI & PRI, or cabling services).

6. Other pertinent information to support pricing.

7. Any multiple line discounts.

* If the contractor chooses to offer pricing good for the entire contract period, the contractor may choose to enter “Yrs 1-8” in the years column of the pricing tables. Or, in addition to one price for 8 years, the offeror may propose more than one year increments for the years after the base contract period. This will eliminate the need for the offeror to provide the same prices repeatedly for the base period and the five (5) option years. However, proposing a pricing option other than a single price for years one (1) through eight (8) does not eliminate or change the base period or option years in any way. In any case, the Government retains the right to exercise option years one at a time.

B.6 Tariff Offers

If tariff charges are offered, the offeror shall submit the following information as part of the price proposal, in accordance with Section L:

1. A statement expressing why the Offeror elected to propose tariff charges.

2. The regulatory mandate (if any) and the FCC PSC point of contact that has issued an order prohibiting the Offeror from not proposing a technical solution and price proposals other than tariff.

3. Proposed tariff and final, after approval, pages that support the price proposals and the underlining of the charges.

4. Identification of the USOC numbers to which tariff charges apply to the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN).

5. Description of the tariff.

6. Tariff references for each component.

7. Quantities to be installed.

8. Installation (Non-Recurring Charges) charges.

9. Monthly Recurring Charges for each item described.

10. Identify other charges applicable to services, (e.g., sales/use taxes, and universal connectivity charges, End User Common Line (EUCL), etc.

Note: Tariff items or services are required to be approved by the appropriate regulatory authority at the initial proposal submission. If a tariff offered solution is awarded, the initial tariff charges will be the contract’s fixed prices for the life of the contract).

B.7 Preparation of Section B - Price Schedule

B.7.1 Point of Contact Provide the following information in the pricing proposal for the person(s) that will represent your company as a point of contact for questions and clarification of the proposed pricing information.

Printed Name(s): ___________________________________________________

Title: _____________________________________________________________

Telephone Number: _________________________________________________

E-Mail Address: ____________________________________________________

Street Address: _____________________________________________________

City: ____________________________State: _________ Zip Code: ___________

B.7.2 Best Tariff Price Tariff Pricing is required in worksheets as follows:

a. Worksheet B.7.2 of the Price Schedule lists the more common services requested by the Government. In Column A, insert N/A if a line item is not offered or insert an (X) for each line item offered in response to this solicitation. All elements of Columns C and D in worksheet B.7.2 in Section B – Price Schedules shall be priced or noted with N/C (no charge), NSP (not separately priced), or N/A (not applicable) per the following instructions.

b. Tariff pricing for features is in worksheet B.7.2.5.

c. Tariff pricing for extension of local loops is in B.7.2.7.

d. Tariff pricing for Moves and Reconfigurations is in B.7.2.9.

e. Tariff pricing for Other Charges Prices is in B.7.2.11.

Prices submitted for each option feature that the contactor proposes to offer, or provided as information about other customers, shall be inclusive of all charges (e.g. fees, taxes, and other service charges, etc.) on a one-unit price basis. Any multiple line discounts available and/or offered shall be presented and explained in Volume III, Price Proposal as outlined in Section L.

For purposes of comparing tariff prices to the prices offered GSA, insert the lowest monthly recurring and non-recurring unit price (price for one service line). This information is requested for both digital and analog dial tone service. The Unit’s Non-Recurring (NRC) One-Time Charge and the total Monthly Recurring Charge shall be submitted on an “Apples to Apples” basis. The prices shall include the minimum Common Line Feature Requirements (reference Attachment J.1), and all applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and End User Common Line (EUCL) charges, etc.

All solicitation Line Item Numbers for reports listed are required reports and shall be delivered in accordance with Section F delivery requirements. If there is no charge for reports required indicate N/C. If the reports are not currently provided to the Government or other customer(s) indicate N/A. Any additional features included on a customer’s line at “no charge” or “not separately priced” not included in the Government’s offer shall be explained or clarified in Volume III, Price Proposal as outlined in Section L.

Service lines and/or the option or common line features requirements shall be submitted, and explained in Volume III, Price Proposal information. For the purpose of price comparison, the price shall be inclusive of all charges, (e.g. installation non-recurring charges, monthly recurring charges, and fees etc.)

B.7.2.1 through B.7.2.4 - The circuit switched services (CSS) requested in this solicitation include those listed in Table B.7.2.1. Tables B.7.2.2 through B.7.2.4 provide pricing for dedicated transmission services. Services specific to each of the awards are listed in SECTION B – PRICE SCHEDULE, Services Offer of this solicitation. There are two circuit switched services that may need explanation. The 001D and 001E services are Centrex or “Centrex like” services. The features and services available are commonly available with Centrex services. Also, please note the PBX system access lines. For the T-1 (001K), the line consists of 24 channels. A full PRI line (001I) consists of 24 channels. Unless there should be d channel sharing for multiple PRIs or a back up d channel, the PRI line contains 23b + 1d channel. A PRI D-Channel Only (001K) is a line with one (1) d-channel and from one (1) to twenty-three (23) b-channels. B-channels are priced as a feature on Table B.7.2.6. For clarification under this solicitation, the terms channel and line will not be used interchangeably. Services are charged on a “per line” basis. If a feature will be charged on a per channel basis, the charging mechanism should reflect per channel as opposed to per line. Additionally, the reason for changing a charging mechanism should be explained in Section L, Volume III, Part C.

Table B.7.2.1

Albuquerque Only

New Orleans Only

Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio Only

Lowest speed should be entered first followed by next highest speed. Enter only speeds offered to commercial customers.

Termination and mileage components are in Section B. Pricing Schedules. 002A, 002B, 002C, 002D, 002E, 002F, and 002G services are point-to-point intraLATA only.

Note: As described in B.7.2.1 through B.7.2.4, all channelized services are priced per line. A T-1 line and a full PRI (23b+d) line consist of 24 channels.

Insert unit price offered to GSA for Unit Non-Recurring One-Time Charge (NRC). The One-Time Base Charge shall be inclusive of all install costs, applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and EUCLs, etc. as applicable for the installation of one service line. Applicable taxes shall be priced as stated in B.2.

Services in Tables B.7.2.2 and the service related charges in B.7.2.3 and B.7.2.4 also will be inclusive of all costs. Prices for conditioning such as Clear Channel on a T-1 will be priced inclusive or separately. The offeror may offer Clear Channel T-1 service. If Clear Channel is offered, the service shall be priced separately or inclusive with the CLIN, i.e. 002F-CC. The pricing for this conditioning shall be entered in table B.7.2.2. Offeror shall explain if the conditioning charge is inclusive or in addition to the basic service.

Without identifying specific locations, GSA‘s digital line service requirements are estimated to be no more than 5% of the total requirements. The remaining 95% represents Analog line service requirements. Currently, 1 to 2 % of all lines have dial-up or DSL internet charged as a feature. However, dedicated internet access or a combination with dial-up and/or DSL is an acceptable offering. The current speeds (data rates) provided to commercial customers must be offered. The high speed dynamic and static dedicated internet access services include cost of a modem in the installation of the service in the NRC. With the exception of HDSL, if the service is DSL, phone line costs are not included in the Internet Access charges. Excluding HDSL, the offer for Dial-Up and DSL Internet should appear as a feature in the Features Table B.7.2.6 and not the Services Schedules B.7.2.1. A modem is included in the NRC associated with provisioning of the line for DSL on the Features Table B.7.2.6. If on-site installation of the DSL service is required, the cost will be priced in Table B.7.2.12. Dedicated access must be priced as a service in the Services Schedules B.7.2.1. Charges for additional mail boxes and IP addresses should be priced in the Features Scheduled B.7.2.6.

The recurring prices offered shall represent the total unit monthly recurring charges during the base period of 36 months. Option years four (4) through eight (8) will be priced separately. Base Prices offered in response to this solicitation shall be inclusive of all costs, to include the minimum Common Line Feature Requirements (reference Attachment J.1), all applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), and universal connectivity charges, EUCLs, etc. If prices are offered for years one (1) through eight (8) as mentioned in B.5 above, prices must be inclusive as mentioned in this paragraph. Applicable taxes shall be priced as stated in B.2.

Insert the proposed unit base price for the Unit Monthly Recurring Charge (MRC). Base prices offered for the Unit MRC shall be inclusive of all costs; minimum Common Line Feature Requirements (reference Attachment J.1), and all applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), sale/use universal connectivity charges, EUCLs, etc. Applicable taxes shall be priced as stated in B.2. Prices for services offered to GSA shall be in one of the three NPA/NXX rate groups, applicable to each city offered within the award area. If there is no charge for reports required indicate N/C. See Section F for delivery schedule of required reports. Features will be priced at one price for the entire award area. NPA/NXX groups will not apply to features.

B.7.2.5 - For the purpose of comparing tariff/commercial feature prices to those prices to be offered GSA for option features, insert the lowest, best price charged on a “unit price” per line basis. This information is required for both digital and analog dial tone service. The Unit’s Non-Recurring (NRC) One-Time Charge and Unit Monthly Recurring Charge (MRC) for each option feature to be offered to GSA shall be submitted on an “Apples to Apples” basis inclusive of all applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and EUCLs, etc.

If an option feature is not separately priced, indicate “NSP” for not separately priced. If an option feature is not offered indicate “N/A.” Any additional features included in any other customer’s line at no charge (N/C) not included in the Governments offer shall be explained in Volume III, Price Proposal as outlined in Section L.

Explanation of CLINs for features: The features in sheets B.7.2.5 through B.7.2.6 are identified against their service type by adding a prefix before the “id #.” The feature CLIN includes a prefix of "03," followed by the last letter in the service type it supports, followed by the feature "id #." For instance: Caller ID on a 001A (Analog Business Line) is 03A19. And, DID/DOD two way service on a 001I (Digital ISDN PRI PBX System Access Line PRI) is 03I26.

B.7.2.6 - Insert base price offered to GSA for Unit Non-Recurring (One-Time) Charge (NRC) for installation of the option feature. The One-Time Charge (NRC) shall be inclusive of all install costs, applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and EUCLs, etc. as applicable for the installation of the option feature for one service line. Unit pricing (price for one service line for each option feature offered) is requested for both digital and analog dial tone service. Applicable taxes shall be priced as stated in B.2.

If there is no additional charge for the option feature offered indicate N/C. If an option feature is not offered indicate N/A. Any additional features included in other customer’s line at no charge not included in the Government’s offer should be explained in Volume III, Price Proposal information.

Without identifying specific locations, GSA‘s Digital line service requirements are estimated to be no more than 5% of the total requirements. The remaining 95% represents Analog line service requirements.

For each option feature offered, insert the proposed unit price for the Unit Monthly Recurring Charge (MRC). Price information provided for the Unit MRC shall be inclusive of all applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and EUCLs, etc. Base prices offered to GSA for each option feature offered shall be on a unit price basis, applicable to all rate groups within the award area. If a feature is not separately priced, indicate NSP. Applicable taxes shall be priced as stated in B.2.

As previously stated in B.7.2.1 through B.7.2.4, 1 to 2 % of all lines have dial-up or DSL internet charged as a feature. However, dedicated internet access or a combination with dial-up and/or DSL is an acceptable offering. The current speeds (data rates) provided to commercial customers must be offered. The high speed dynamic and static Internet Access services include cost of a modem in the NRC for provisioning the line. With the exception of HDSL if the service is DSL, phone line costs are not included in the Internet Access charges. Excluding HDSL, the offer for Dial-Up and DSL Internet should appear as a feature in the Features Schedule B.7.2.6 and not the Services Schedules B.7.2.1.

NOTE: Awards made as a result of this solicitation will not include any disconnect charges or fees. Disconnects will be made, when ordered, at no cost to the Government.

B.7.2.7 - Loop extensions are required as an option by the Government to extend the service from the Network Interface Device (NID). The Service Deliver Points (SDPs) are as follows:

SDP1: Network Interface Devise (NID).

SDP2: Service for PBX. Contractor terminates in switch room in proximity to PBX.

SDP3: Service to Multiplexer. Table B.7.2.8 allows MRC if the contractor provides multiplexer equipment.

SDP4: Service to Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF). Contractor terminates in wire closet. If contractor owns the riser cable, this will, in effect, be the NID, and the CLIN for SDP 4 will not be ordered.

SDP5: Service to wall jack with existing cable.

The service termination points are also identified as Service Delivery Points (SDPs) in the Figure B.7.2.1 as follows:

Figure B.7.2.1

* Contractor-provided terminal block adjacent to a government terminal block in the intermediate distribution frame (IDF), computer room, or telephone closet(s) on each floor of a multi-story building or appropriate telephone closet(s) in a single story building.

For the purpose of comparing tariff loop extension prices to those prices to be offered GSA for option loop extensions, insert the lowest, best price charged on a “unit price” per line basis. This information is required for both digital and analog service. The unit’s service initiation charge (SIC), also known as Non-Recurring (NRC) One-Time Charge, and Unit Monthly Recurring Charge (MRC) for each loop extension to be offered to GSA shall be submitted on an “Apples to Apples” basis inclusive of all applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and EUCLs, etc. A service initiation includes the installation of a service and/or activation of a feature(s).

If a loop extension is not separately priced, indicate NSP for not separately priced. If a loop extension is not offered indicate N/A. Any loop extension provided to customers outside of this contract and not included in the Government’s offer shall be explained in Volume III, Price Proposal information.

B.7.2.8 - Insert price offered to GSA for the option of toning, testing and labeling of existing cable for the extension of each local loop as reflected in Figure B.7.2.1. The Non-Recurring (NRC) One-Time Charge SIC shall be inclusive of all cross connects and hardware (See B.7.2.7 and Figure B.7.2.1 for SDP clarification).

B.7.2.9 - For the purpose of comparing tariff Move and Reconfiguration Charge Prices to those prices to be offered GSA for Moves and Reconfigurations, insert the lowest One-Time (NRC) charge on a “unit price” per line basis. This information is required for both digital and analog services.

B.7.2.10 - Insert price offered to GSA for Move and Reconfiguration Charges Prices. Charges for inside and outside moves in Table B.7.2.10 apply when moves are made to existing cable. Reference Section J.5 Definitions/Terms for inside and outside move charges, and reconfiguration charges.

On reconfigurations, if charges on this table apply in conjunction with another charge, i.e. SIC on the Features Table B.7.2.6, the offeror shall identify the feature description with a footnote number at the end of each contract period table and explain the reason this charge is needed. The offeror shall also justify the need for both charges in Section L, Volume III, Part C.

B.7.2.11 - For the purpose of comparing tariff Other Charges Prices to those prices to be offered GSA for Other Charges Prices, insert the lowest One-Time (NRC) charge on a “unit price” per line basis inclusive of all costs, applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and EUCLs, etc. This information is required for both digital and analog services.

If network facility augmentation and restoration capabilities are currently in place to support the requirements of National Security and Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) as stated in Section C.8, the offeror must enter pricing for these services in the tables. If there is a technological upgrade that provides the capabilities for NSEP, the contractor shall notify the ACO that NSEP support is available.

B.7.2.12 - Insert price offered to GSA for Other Charges Prices. The One-Time Charge (NRC) shall be inclusive of all install costs, applicable fees, access charges (including PICC), universal connectivity charges, and EUCLs, etc. If charges on this table apply in conjunction with another charge, i.e. SIC on the Features Table B.7.2.6, the offeror shall identify the feature description with a footnote number at the end of each contract period and explain the reason this charge is needed. The offeror shall also justify the need for both charges in Section L, Volume III, Part C. The offeror may group CLINs in the explanation if the reconfig charge applies for the same reason. For the purposes of pricing, N/C entered on another table will be treated as a charge.

B.7.2.13 – Telecommunications services provided to existing commercial customers must be offered where the offeror currently sells or resells telecommunications services to commercial customers. Areas must be identified by entering the NPA/NNX Group Number on B.2. If the option features offered are not applicable to all cities within the award area, please explain in Volume III, Price Proposal information.

B.7.2.14 – The Flat Rate Cable Installation prices in this table shall comply with the requirement of C.5.

B.8 Clarifications, Explanation, Pricing Information, etc.

Any clarifications, explanations and additional pricing information and/or justifications should be addressed in Volume III, Price Proposal. Any multiple line discounts available and/or offered shall be presented and explained in Section L, Volume III, Part C, Price Proposal.

B.9 Price Schedule Price Schedule should calculate the Total Contract Price per Line Item offered. Prices shall be submitted on a one service line basis. It is the offerors’ responsibility to insure that all figures are representative of the company’s intended price proposal.

Page Intentionally Left Blank

IDF*

Multiplexer

PBX

NID

Central

Office

Customer

SDP 5

SDP 4

SDP 1

SDP 3

SDP 2

Section B – Page 12 of 12

MLSASecB-Amd3.doc