GSA04QTCA102.doc

SOLICITATION NOTICE

Part I - The Schedule Section A – Solicitation/Contract Form

Acquisition Program: General Services Administration, Region 4, Integrated Telecommunications Services - II (GRITS-II).

Solicitation No.: Request for Proposal (RFP) # GSA04QTCA102.

NAICS Code 517110: North American Industry Classification System Subsector 517 - Telecommunications - Code 517110, Wired Telecommunications Carriers.

Requirement: General Services Administration, Region 4, Federal Acquisition Service, Network Services, Purchase of Local Wired Voice, Data/Video, Converged Services, and/or Other Wired Telecommunications Services for Federal Agencies located Throughout the Southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, & Tennessee.

Type of Contracts: Multiple Award Contracts; Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Fixed Price, Performance-Based contracting with an agency-prescribed economic price adjustment clause.

Term of Contracts: Four (4) years from date of award with two (2) three (3) year Options to Extend the Term of the Contract(s).

Status: Unrestricted; Full and Open Competition; Non-mandatory for use by Federal Agencies.

Pre-Proposal: See page 2 of this solicitation for Pre-Proposal Instructions to Offerors.

Proposal See Section L.8. of this solicitation for General Instructions on Instructions: Proposal Preparation and Proposal Preparation Checklist (L.8.5).

Proposal Mailing Offerors are required to mail complete hardcopy proposals to the Address: Contracting Officer, only, at the following address:

General Services Administration, Region 4 Federal Acquisition Service, Network Services (4QTCA) 401 West Peachtree Street, Suite 2700

Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Attn: Ruben Mendez, Contracting Officer

Proposal Submittal: All proposals shall be addressed and submitted to the Contracting Officer, only. In order to protect and safeguard contractor proprietary data, submittal of Faxed, Telegraph, CD-ROM, Floppy Diskette, or any other type of electronic means proposals are not permitted. However, the Government reserves the right to request electronic copies after the initial complete hardcopy has been received by the Contracting Officer, only.

Proposal Due Date: Proposals shall be received by the aforementioned office not later than 4:30 PM, LOCAL TIME, Tuesday, October 26, 2010. All submittals must clearly indicate the solicitation number on the face of the correspondence. Late proposals will be handled in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Clause 52.215-1(c)(3)

(JAN 2004).

A.1. Pre-Proposal Instructions for Offerors:

1. Offerors are required to read the entire solicitation (RFP # GSA04QTCA102).

2. Offerors are required to fill and email or fax Section A.1 (this page) to the Contracting Officer, only, on or before the due date stated below (see # 4.).

3. By marking an “X” on the appropriate block(s) and by filling-in as requested, please provide the following information:

[ ] I HAVE READ THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION. CONSEQUENTLY, I UNDERSTAND

THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SOLICITATION AND HAVE NO QUESTIONS.

[ ] I HAVE READ THE ENTIRE SOLICITATION AND ELECT TO ATTACH AND SUBMIT

WRITTEN QUESTIONS TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER FOR CLARIFICATION OF THIS

SOLICITATION (SEE ATTACHED QUESTIONS).

[ ] I DO INTEND TO SUBMIT A COMPLETE PROPOSAL NOT LATER THAN 4:30 PM,

LOCAL TIME, Tuesday, October 26, 2010.

[ ] I DO NOT INTEND TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL BECAUSE OF THE FOLLOWING

REASON(S):

COMPANY NAME: _________________________________________________________________

COMPANY ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________

NAME OF SIGNER (PRINT): _______________________________________________________

SIGNATURE OF SIGNER: __________________________________________________________

TITLE OF SIGNER: ______________________________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE NUMBER: ______________________ TODAY’S DATE: ________________________

4. Offerors that elect to submit written questions are required to submit them on or before COB, Thursday, October 7, 2010 via email or fax to:

Attn: Ruben Mendez, Contracting Officer Email address: ruben.mendez@gsa.gov or Fax #: (404) 331-1860

ALL QUESTIONS SHALL BE ADDRESSED AND SUBMITTED TO THE CONTRACTING OFFICER, ONLY.

A.2. Important Solicitation Notices:

1. Solicitation and resulting contracts will use the uniform contract format outlined in Table 15-1 of FAR Subpart 15.204-1, Uniform contract format.

2. GSA Optional Form 308 - Government filled Optional Form 308 is located on page 4 of this solicitation and it depicts the Table of Contents of this solicitation. Offerors are required to fill # II. Offer, numbers 10A, 10B, 10C, 11, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D and 12E of Optional Form 308 and submit it as part of the initial Business Proposal (Volume I).

3. Amendments to this solicitation (if any) will be issued to Offerors that intend to submit a proposal and have notified the Contracting Officer, accordingly. The Government reserves the right to amend the solicitation in accordance with FAR 15.206.

4. Information provided to a prospective Offeror concerning this solicitation will be provided to all other prospective Offerors as a solicitation amendment if the provided information is necessary in submitting offers or if the lack of such information would be prejudicial to a prospective Offeror.

5. Oral explanations or instructions provided before the award of a contract will not be binding.

6. The Contracting Officer will decide whether a Pre-Proposal conference is necessary before proposals are submitted.

7. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Service Contract Act (SCA) wage determinations for all state/county locations are applicable to this solicitation and made electronically available at www.wdol.gov/sca.aspx. Classes of service employees contemplated to be employed under contract are outlined in Section I, FAR clause 52.222-42, of this solicitation. The wage and fringe benefits payable to each employee if they were employed by the contracting agency subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5341 or 5332 are available at the aforementioned website.

8. For the purpose of the Contracting Officer determining satisfactory financial responsibility, Offerors are required to complete GSA Form 527, Contractor’s Qualifications and Financial Information, and submit a complete copy (pages 1 through 6) as part of the initial hardcopy Business Proposal (Volume I) of this solicitation. GSA Form 527 is attached to this solicitation for your use (see pages 139 through 145). GSA Form 527 is electronically available at www.gsa.gov, Forms Library, GSA Forms tab, for download accessibility to view, fill, print, and/or save. There is also a format scripting for screen readers for visually impaired users.

9. Notice to Large Business Offerors submitting offers that exceed $650,000.00 in response to this solicitation: GSA is providing a model subcontracting plan as a tool (see Attachment J.4). This model reflects objectives GSA encourages contractors to adopt, but does not establish minimum requirements for an acceptable plan. Upon request by the Contracting Officer, Large Business Offerors shall submit and negotiate an acceptable small business subcontracting plan, when applicable, that separately addresses subcontracting with small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business concerns, small disadvantaged business, and woman-owned small business concerns. Failure to submit and negotiate a small business subcontracting plan shall make the Offeror ineligible for award of a contract.

10. GSA Order ADM 4800.2F, dated 9/17/09, Eligibility to Use GSA Sources of Supply and Services, provides definitions and listings of agencies and organizations authorized to use GSA sources of supply and services.

11. The information collection requirements contained in this solicitation/contract that are not required by regulation have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and assigned OMB Control No. 3090-0163.

SECTION B - SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS

B.1. Specification - The contractor shall furnish pricing to include all personnel, materials and services necessary to perform the requirements set forth in this solicitation.

B.2. All-Inclusive Pricing - Any equipment, material or service required in the performance of a contract for which a price is not specifically identified by the contractor will be considered to be included in the price of another item in the contract or provided at no cost to the Government unless otherwise specified in the contract.

B.3. Information Other Than Cost or Pricing Data - Offerors are required to submit information other than cost or pricing data in order to support the Offeror’s Estimated Total Contract Price [Base Performance Period (48 months) plus Option Performance Periods (36 months per option period]. Information other than cost or pricing data shall be all-inclusive and include the following:

1. Nomenclature of products offered.

2. Description of services offered.

3. Quantities of products and services offered.

4. If applicable, unit prices of installation services [one-time charges, Non-Recurring Costs (NRC)].

5. Monthly prices of services (individual unit price of each line, etc.). The unit price shall be the same for a quantity of one (1) through the estimated total not-to-exceed maximum quantities of each line, etc.

6. Other Supporting Services when applicable.

7. Other pertinent information to support cost or pricing.

B.4. Tariff Offers - If tariff charges are offered, Offeror shall submit the following information:

1. A statement indicating 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 offering technical and negotiated price proposals pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) terms and conditions.

3. Tariff pages that support the price proposals and underlining the charges.

4. Identification of the item numbers to which tariff charges apply.

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.

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 (base period plus option periods) and are not subject to price adjustments.

However, if an Executive Order or Congressional ruling is issued during the term of the contract that may cause the contractor to incur cost beyond the negotiated price(s), GSA may allow fair and reasonable price adjustments.

B.5 Contract Negotiated Prices - Contractors shall not arbitrarily increase the negotiated prices of the contract(s) during the life of the contract(s).

B.6. Solicitation/Contract Line Item Numbers - The solicitation/contract line item numbers (CLINS) for each LATA and service category are as follows:

CLIN s

B.7. Instructions for Preparing the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary Spreadsheets:

The Estimated Total Contract Price Summary MS Excel spreadsheets (pages 8 through 16 of this solicitation) shall be used and submitted as part of the Price Proposal (Volume III). The spreadsheets are outlined by four (4) price table Categories as follows:

Category 1: Voice Services for LATA CLINs 0001 through 0040.

Category 2: Data Services for LATA CLINs 0041 through 0080.

Category 3: Converge Services for LATA CLINs 0081 through 0120.

Category 4: Other Wired Telecommunications Services for LATA CLINs 0121 through 0160.

Each LATA Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) under each Category will be evaluated separately. Offerors are encouraged to propose as many CLINS as possible that can be supported by the technical solutions and information other than cost and pricing data. Estimated fixed prices shall be all-inclusive and consist of the estimated total maximum quantities for each category LATA. After preparing the Offeror’s independent information other than cost and pricing data that will support the Estimated Total Contract Price, Offerors shall prepare the Estimated Total Contract Price Summary spreadsheets as follows:

1. Insert the Estimated Total Price for Non-Recurring Cost (NRC) for each LATA CLIN offered under the appropriate Category. This estimated total price is a one-time charge [Non-Recurring Cost (NRC)] for installation services.

2. Insert the forty-eight (48) months (Contract Base Period) Estimated Total Price for Monthly Recurring Cost (MRC) for each LATA CLIN offered under the appropriate Category.

3. Insert the thirty-six (36) months (Option Period 1) Estimated Total Price for MRC for each LATA CLIN offered under the appropriate Category.

4. Insert the thirty-six (36) months (Option Period 2) Estimated Total Price for MRC for each LATA CLIN offered under the appropriate Category.

5. Add the Estimated Total for NRC + the forty-eight (48) months (Contract Base Period) Estimated Total Price for MRC + the thirty-six (36) months (Option Period 1) Estimated Total Price for MRC + the thirty-six (36) months (Option Period 2) Estimated Total Prices for MRC, and insert the corresponding total prices on the Estimated Total LATA CLIN Price blocks for each offered CLIN.

6. Add the Estimated Total Price of each LATA CLIN and insert the Estimated Total Price on the corresponding block at the end of each Category spreadsheet (pages 9, 11, 13, and 15), as offered.

7. Insert each Category Estimated Total Price on the corresponding block of page 16.

8. Add each Estimated Total Price and insert the Estimated Total Contract Price on the corresponding block of page 16.

9. Print the prime contractor’s name under “Contractor”, print the prime contractor’s binding official’s name under “Name”, sign the proposal under “Signature” (should be binding official), print the signer’s occupation title under “Title”, and date the proposal under “Date”.

GRITS II SOLICITATION # GSA04QTCA102;

VOICE, DATA, CONVERGE & OTHER WIRED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES FOR FEDERAL

AGENCIES LOCATED IN LATA CLINS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST SUNBELT REGION:

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

CATEGORY 1: VOICE SERVICES

GRITS II SOLICITATION # GSA04QTCA102;

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

Cont…CATEGORY 1: VOICE SERVICES

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

CATEGORY 2: DATA SERVICES

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

Cont…CATEGORY 2: DATA SERVICES

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

CATEGORY 3: CONVERGE SERVICES

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

Cont…CATEGORY 3: CONVERGE SERVICES

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

CATEGORY 4:OTHER WIRED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

ESTIMATED TOTAL LATA PRICE SUMMARY

Cont…CATEGORY 4:OTHER WIRED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES

Category 1 Voice Services Estimated Total Price

Category 2 Data Services Estimated Total Price

Category 3 Converge Services Estimated Total Price

Category 4 Other Wired Telecommunications Services Estimated Total Price

Estimated Total Contract Price

Contractor: ____________________________________________________________________

Name of Signer: ________________________________________________________________

Signature: _____________________________________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________________________________________

Date: __________________________________________________________________________

SECTION C - DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

C.1. SCOPE:

The General Services Administration, Region 4, Federal Acquisition Service, Network Services, requires continuity of Local Telecommunications, Local Access, and Data Transmission services for all existing locations under contract (see Section J.5 for a list of incumbent contracts). Region 4 covers and supports Federal Agencies in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

The Government contemplates multiple awards to be established as Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Fixed Price, type of contracts with an agency-prescribed economic price adjustment clause. The contract period shall be a base period of four (4) years with two (2) three (3) year options to extend the term of the contract(s). The Government contemplates awarding to eligible and/or responsible sources in accordance with FAR Subpart 9.103, offering technically acceptable solutions, acceptable past performance, and fair and reasonable prices.

IDIQ contracts will contain Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs) that are itemized per Local Access and Transport Areas (LATAs) with service categories and nominal service descriptions (See Section B.6., solicitation CLINS for each LATA and service category). A LATA is a local geographical area in the United States within which a local telephone company may offer telecommunications services. A CLIN represents a service category, a LATA, and a nominal description.

Offerors are encouraged to propose as many CLINs as possible and have the capability of providing the required services within the CLIN(s) chosen (proposed). As information only, Section J, Attachment J.6, depicts the predominant geographical areas that fall into the Southeast Sunbelt Region (Region 4) LATA boundaries and apply to this solicitation.

Local voice, data, and video service requirements will be competed and fulfilled under the North American Industry Classification System code (NAICS) 517110.

Offerors shall be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) under NAICS 517110. Offerors shall provide the minimum requirements to the CLIN(s) chosen and be able to expand service capabilities within the CLIN(s) during the life of the contract. The minimum requirements for each service category are as follows:

Description Minimum Requirements

56Kpbs, T-1; ISDN BRI; Packet Switching; Frame Relay; MPLS; SONET.

Services Technical proposals are Offeror’s choice within NAICS Code 517110 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this solicitation.

Proposed solutions for Category 1 must include minimum requirements stated above for Category 1, only. Proposed solutions for Category 2 must include minimum requirements stated above for Category 2, only. Proposed solutions for Category 3 must meet all minimum requirements of Categories 1 and 2, only. Proposed solutions for Category 4 must be within NAICS Code 517110 and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this solicitation, only.

Note: Section J, Attachment J.1, Common System Line Features and Requirements, and all service requirements, as dictated by the needs of the Government, may be expanded or reduced over the period of the contract.

Telecommunications services shall include digital information transport and processing for connection of voice, video, and data terminals to the Public Switched Network (PSN), Internet Protocol World Wide Web (IPWWW), Local/Wide Area Networks (LAN/WANs), and Point-to-Point connectivity. Offerors shall provide state-of-the-art digital and/or analog telecommunications, data, and video services with capacity and capability for the Federal Government’s requirements within Region 4. Offerors shall design, plan, implement, provide and maintain 100% of the services described in this solicitation.

The following matrix depicts Section C parts and subparts that shall apply to each service category when submitting offers in response to this solicitation:

Category 4

C.9

The fair opportunity process will be implemented to allow contract awardees a fair consideration for orders issued against the contracts in accordance with Section G.5 of this solicitation/contract. Contract awardees must have awarded solutions within the CLIN(s) chosen in order to be provided fair opportunity within the CLIN(s). A fair opportunity contractor matrix will be developed by the Government at contract award(s) to depict the fair opportunity competitors under each service Category, LATA, and CLIN. The Government also reserves the right to take exception to the fair opportunity process in accordance with Section G.6 of this solicitation/contract. Note: Based upon historical workload and projected needs for continuity of service, Government initial orders pursuant to the fair opportunity process are expected to be large service transitions and comprehensive in geographic scope within a CLIN.

C.2. SERVICE(s) PROVISION PLATFORMS:

The platforms offered (switches, servers, routers, etc.) for service(s) delivery shall be such as to obviate the need for the Government to purchase common service customer premise equipment and shall utilize advanced technology, provide modular and expandable service(s); continuously available high reliability uninterrupted service(s) 24 hours a day/365 days a year.

Offeror shall specify location, speeds, and payload capacities afforded by the contractor plant capabilities. All transmission characteristics, such as latency and capacity shall be described in the Offeror’s proposal. All system characteristics including features, reporting, capabilities to include functionally and benefit to the Government shall be described in the Offeror’s proposal. The following minimum features, functions, and capabilities shall be furnished in the provision of service(s):

C.2.1. SERVICE DESIGN:

The service(s) shall be supplied via technology that has innate self-healing ability and circuit redundancy/diversity to assure service delivery reliability.

C.2.1.1. GRADE OF SERVICE (GOS):

All voice services shall be delivered at P.01 GOS. The user has a one percent (1%) chance of reaching a busy signal. All data services shall be delivered at 99.999 % reliability.

C.2.2. SERVICE DELIVERY EQUIPMENT:

The service delivery equipment configuration and design shall be to provide uninterrupted service(s) capability to the terminal user regardless of intervening connecting carrier transmission or signal processing failure(s).

C.2.3. ACCESS RESTRICTION:

Voice service line processors shall examine a minimum of twelve (12) consecutive out-dialed digits and divert calls to intercept message(s), as required, for day-to-day operations at all locations.

C.2.4. OUTGOING AND INCOMING NUMBER IDENTIFICATION (NIOD):

Outgoing calling number ID of all lines shall be furnished connecting switching facilities. That information shall be used for commercial toll calls, Federal Telecommunication System (FTS) intercity network(s) usage, and public network accessed “Emergency 911” correlation applications. Incoming calling number ID (“Caller ID”) shall be furnished, as required on a per line basis, for telephone/terminal display. Automatic Number Identification (ANI) must be passed on all calls.

C.2.4.1 ENHANCED 911 SERVICES (E911): Offeror’s solution shall specify the capability for interfacing Government-owned PBX networks with the local Public Safety Answer Point (PSAP) to provide ANI and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) necessary for all E911 calls. Offerors shall identify options, develop plans, implement service(s), and set-up and maintain E911 databases.

C.2.5. VOICE MAIL:

C.2.5.1. Voice Mail shall be provided for all switched voice line service and shall be furnished at a minimum P.01 Grade of Service (GOS) to all subscribers. Service will include announcement only or announcement and message storage.

C.2.5.2. Capability of up to five (5) minutes for announcement and message storage capability up to thirty (30) messages [up to three (3) minutes per message] and transfer Mailbox (ability to have voice mail on last number on hunt group and all other numbers in the hunt group will transfer to the mailbox).

C.2.6. INTEGRATED SERVICES DIGITAL NETWORK (ISDN):

North American Architecture Basic and Primary Rate ISDN system interfaces (BRI and PRI) shall be offered for PSN access termination.

C.2.6.1. Basic Rate system interfaces shall be provided (Voice and Data).

C.2.6.2. Primary Rate system interfaces shall be provided (Voice and Data).

C.2.7. NUMBERING PLAN:

The service offering shall conform to North American standards and accommodate, as required, the FTS dialing plan for “on” and “off net” operation.

C.2.7.1 NUMBERING PLAN AREA (NPA)/EXCHANGE CODE (NXX):

The Offeror’s solution shall specify the capability of providing NPA/NXX penetration within the proposed CLIN(s).

C.2.8. GROWTH, AND GRADE OF SERVICE (GOS):

a. Annual estimated line growth: Analog = 0.0%

Digital = 0.0%.

b. Voice access to and from local lines, other local exchanges, and

Intra/Inter-State Carriers GOS shall be P.01 or better.

C.2.9. COMMON SYSTEM LINE FEATURES AND REQUIREMENTS:

The Offeror’s voice telecommunications solution shall provide all of the features and requirements listed in Attachment J.1 of this solicitation.

C.2.10. RECORDING OF TOLL CALLS:

Toll calls (any billable call) shall be recorded and forwarded monthly to the Government via magnetic or optical media or transmitted machine to machine utilizing File Transmission Protocol (FTP). The call record data format shall be in accordance with the magnetic tape call record format described in Attachment J.2 of this solicitation regardless of the media.

C.2.11. SERVICE PLATFORM VOICE TELECONFERENCING SERVICES:

C.2.11.1. User Controlled - The Offeror shall provide three (3) party conferencing as a standard line feature and six (6) party conferencing as an optional feature available to users via class mark.

C.2.11.2. Meet Me – The Offeror shall provide a thirty (30) party meet me conferencing bridge capability per 1000 lines or one thirty (30) party conferencing capability per service platform of less than 1000 lines.

C.2.12. COMPATIBILITY WITH CUSTOMER PREMISE EQUIPMENT (CPE):

The Offeror shall furnish services compatible with all voice CPE currently in place. Existing voice CPE is NT DMS-100 “P”, ISDN, and tone/loop dial pulse signaling analog phones. Service platform proprietary voice CPE may be offered Government voice system clients in lieu of their existing station equipment.

C.2.13. HEARING AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED (HI/VI) TELEPHONE SERVICES (Section 508):

Pursuant to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 USC 794d), as amended, the contractor shall provide, upon request, HI and VI phones that meet the specifications listed in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Part 68.316 and the 1988 Telecom Act (PL 100542-Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement Act and PL 100394-Hearing Aid Compatibility Act). Telephones shall contain standard features and amplifier controls. Interchangeable handsets, equipped with amplifiers and volume controls, for the hearing impaired, shall be available, when required, to replace the handsets of HI telephone instruments. VI special or modified phones i.e., Braille button labels, faceplates, and vibrator/sensory ringer substitutes shall be offered.

C.2.14. CUSTOMER (AGENCY) ADMINISTRATION TERMINAL(S) (CATS):

The Offeror shall provide CATS interfacing capability for Government provided terminals to permit user agency system administration to include reassignment of features, moves, swaps, and other changes without the need for hardware wiring or other carrier intervention. Each CATS terminal shall be provided exclusive or shared access to the service provider facilities.

C.2.15. TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES and DIRECTORY LISTINGS:

C.2.15.1. The contractor shall provide updated local telephone directories (i.e., telephone books) when requested by the Government that shall incorporate all local non-tolls publicly listed residential and business line numbers. The directories shall be identical to those supplied to the public. When requested, the directories shall be delivered in bulk to one location at each customer site.

C.2.15.2. Directory Listing: A telephone number listing must be provided in the local directory.

C.2.15.3. Foreign Listing: A listing in the alphabetical section of directories outside the customer’s local exchange.

C.2.15.4. Additional Listing: additional directory listing capability will be provided in the local telephone directory. In addition, a customer that is served by an inter-exchange carrier, Foreign Exchange Service may have this additional listing.

C.2.15.5. Directory Listing If No Answer: An alternate listing may be provided to the customer for the purpose of directing the calling party to other telephone numbers. For example:

Nights, Sundays and Holidays ……………..nnx-xxxx

If no Answer………………………...……...nnx-xxxx

C.2.15.6. Listing - Cross Reference: A cross reference may be furnished when it is necessary to refer to another directory listing. For example:

Long Lumber Company……………………………See South Lumber Company

C.2.15.7. Listing - not printed in directory, no charge: A non-listed listing is not listed in the alphabetical section of the directory, but is maintained on directory assistance records and will be furnished upon request of the customer. This listing will be supplied at no charge when the customer has additional service at the same address or another address in the same name, in the same exchange.

C.2.15.8. Listing – not in directory or directory assistance (furnished at no charge): A non-published listing is not listed in either the alphabetical section of the directory or directory assistance records and will not be furnished upon the request of the calling party. This listing is supplied at no charge when the customer has additional service at the same address or another address in the same name, in the same exchange.

C.2.15.9. Listing - not in directory or directory assistance: A non-listed listing is not listed in the alphabetical section of the directory, but is maintained on directory assistance records and will be furnished upon request of the customer.

C.2.16. DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE (DSL)/SMALL OFFICE HOME OFFICE (SOHO) SERVICE:

DSL/SOHO Service shall be furnished in symmetrical and asymmetrical configurations for connecting remote multi-premises terminals to specific Government LAN/WAN, etc. terminal(s). The service shall be furnished remotely via existing infrastructure providing simultaneous dial tone and high speed data transport over a common premise line termination. Data transport shall be interfaced with collocated premise PC equipment. The contractor shall furnish service to the wire closet/end user termination point within bandwidth transmission capability of Category 3 or better horizontal connecting cable (See Section C.5, Cable).

The Government recognizes that there may be locations unable to receive optimal DSL/SOHO service due to contractor physical plant inadequacy. Therefore, the following procedures will apply:

1. Offerors shall receive a Government solicitation to furnish the desired service location(s) for review.

2. Offerors will conduct a site survey, if needed or requested.

3. Within five (5) working days after site survey, the contractor shall make a determination of feasibility and furnish the Government transmission speed parameters for optimum and marginal service plus implementation interval(s).

4. Information submitted relative to #3 above should be part of the Offeror’s technical solution and subsequently will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria set forth in the solicitation.

C.2.17. CENTRAL OFFICE EXCHANGE SERVICE:

Central Office Exchange Service denotes a one or two-way exchange central office facility between a central office and a subscriber for the purpose of access to and from the exchange and toll network. Central office lines must meet telecommunication industry standards for transmission and signaling. All Central Office Exchange Services offered must provide and maintain sufficient capacity to sustain a P.O1 Grade of Service and provide the minimum functions/features in Attachment J.1 of this solicitation. Offerors shall specify capabilities, characteristics and limitations for all proposed solutions. Optional Service – Offerors may propose proprietary supplies and services that support the vendor unique solution. Supplies and services may include single and multi-line instruments, attendant consoles, automatic call distributor, or other supporting service enabling devices as well as installation and maintenance services for any optional supplies or services offered.

C.2.18. LOCAL DIAL ACCESS PRIMARY RATE INTERFACE (PRI) SERVICE:

Primary Rate ISDN (PRI) service shall be offered in accordance with North American ISDN Standards. It shall provide an ISDN based DS1 access to the local PSN and shall include the flexibility of integrating multiple voice and data channels over the same channel group. The initial PRI channel structure shall be 23 x 64Kb bearer (B) channels and 1 x 64Kb data/signaling (D) channel with the option of activating 23 B channels on the first PRI and up to 24 B channels on additional PRI’s. Calling/called number delivery and hunting functionality, via the D channel, shall be part of the service. Clear Channel Capability (CCC) and Extended Super Frame (ESF) format shall be inherent features of the PRI offering.

In-dial called numbers shall be offered, as required, to provide Government terminal access to/from the PSN. Numbers previously assigned to other Government systems shall be made available through Local Number Portability (LNP) procedures.

C.2.18.1. LOCAL DIAL ACCESS DIGITAL DS1/T1 SERVICE:

This service shall provide channelized DS1/T1 circuits at 1.544 Mb for providing in/out access to the PSN via 24x64Kbs channels. Service shall be furnished for the simultaneous transmission of 2-way serial Bipolar Return to Zero (BPRZ) isochronous timed digital signals and where intentional bipolar violations are introduced by Bipolar with 8 Zero Substitution (B8ZS) formats for contractor PSN access. The service shall be offered as full or fractional DS1/T1 capability.

Indial called numbers shall be offered, as required, to provide Government terminal access to/from the PSN. Numbers previously assigned to other Government systems shall be made available through Local Number Portability (LNP) procedures.

C.2.19. DATA TRANSPORT SERVICE:

Channelized and un-channelized digital data transport services shall be offered incrementally at speeds minimally from 110 BPS to 10 GBPS.

C.2.19.1 Privacy and Class of Service features shall be available on a per circuit basis. Point to Point and Point to Multi-Point services. Data services shall include channelized and un-channelized services.

C.2.19.2 DIGITAL POINT TO POINT AND POINT TO MULTIPOINT DATA/VIDEO SERVICE:

As a minimum this service shall provide channelized DS1/T1 data at 1.544 Mbps (24 x 64 Kbps + HK) channels circuit(s) for provision of connectivity between Government terminal locations. This capability shall be furnished for the simultaneous 2-way transmission of a serial isochronous data stream in BPRZ or B8ZS format. The channels shall, individually, furnish digital voice and signaling data. The service shall be supplied in full or fractional capability.

Clear Channel Capability (CCC) shall alter the serial 1.544 Mbps data stream with unconstrained information bits to meet pulse density requirements. CCC shall permit transport of an all zero octet data stream to provide a combined maximum serial data rate of 1.536 Mbps. The CCC interface arrangement at each end of the service shall conform to B8ZS line code.

Offeror shall specify location, speeds, and payload capacities afforded by the contractor plant capabilities. All transmission characteristics, such as latency and capacity shall be described in the Offeror’s proposal.

C.2.20. FRAME RELAY POINT TO POINT SERVICE:

This service shall be offered where practicable and shall afford a protocol independent method of economically communicating large volumes of digital data between points. Frame Assembler/ Disassembler (FRAD) capability shall be offered as part of the service at speeds and payload capacities afforded by the contractor plant capabilities. All transmission characteristics, such as latency and capacity shall be described in the Offeror proposal.

C.2.21. REMOTE ACCESS FOR SYSTEM CALL FORWARDING:

This service shall provide the capability for a system line subscriber to forward incoming calls to his or her number to a number in another exchange.

C.2.22. SIMPLIPLIED MESSAGE DETAIL RECORDING

The contractor shall provide Station Message Detail Recording (SMDR)- Premises provides detailed calling information to customer provided equipment that will allow the customer to generate detailed billing information for local and or long distance calls.

C.3. LINE NUMBER PORTABILITY:

Number Portability shall be provided in accordance with the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), state, and local rules and regulations. Number Portability shall permit the Government to change vendor(s) of local exchange service without changing phone numbers associated with a prior vendor exchange.

C.4. GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS:

C.4.1. AVAILABILITY OF SPACE:

The GSA will provide space, where available, in Government owned/leased buildings, for house circuit terminating equipment. Offeror shall clearly describe proposed terminating equipment, grounding requirements, power requirements and space requirements.

C.4.2. HISTORIC BUILDINGS:

All requests to work in a historic building, including a description of the work to be performed, shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative [COTR - Section G.2(c)] within ten (10) working days after award. Under no circumstances shall the contractor proceed with work in a historic building until GSA approval has been obtained. This requirement applies to all buildings on or eligible for the National Historic Register. Reference sources, documents, and contacts regarding Historic Buildings are listed in Attachment J.3 of this solicitation.

C.4.3 HOMELAND SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE-12 (HSPD-12):

Contractors who require routine access to Government facilities or IT systems must have a suitable personnel investigation completed or in process in accordance with HSPD-12 guidelines at www.gsa.gov/hspd12. Contractors must contact the Requesting Official at issuance of a delivery order against this contract to complete a Contractor Information Worksheet (CIW) and set up an investigation request in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) e-Quip system.

C.5. CABLE:

When required, the contractor shall provide, install, and maintain sufficient riser cable to the IDF(s) on each building floor containing government station line distribution. All cable plant shall be TIA/EIA-568-A compliant. Offeror shall clearly describe all cabling and terminations including installation and maintenance procedures and methodologies proposed in their offer.

C.5.1. HOUSE CABLE/WIRE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE:

C.5.1.1. The contractor shall be responsible for providing all cable/wire, terminals, blocks, installation hardware, and miscellaneous materials required to furnish service to the points of demarcation as described in C.5.4.

C.5.1.2. The contractor shall ensure that all cable/wire systems continue to perform according to OEM specifications through systematic maintenance and oversight.

C.5.1.3. Contractor will be able to provide inside wiring (including cross connects) & jacks (Extension past the demarcation to the CPE jack). In addition the contractor is responsible for all cross connects required to accomplish this extension. The contractor will provide an optional maintenance plan for this extension.

C.5.2. EXISTING GOVERNMENT HOUSE CABLE/WIRE:

Existing GSA cable/wire may be used at the discretion of the COTR. Non-GSA owned cable may be available for reuse, pending authorization of the appropriate owner. The government reserves the right to require and direct the use of existing cable and/or cable termination facilities (cable frames) or the installation of new cable. Prior to the reuse of existing cable, the contractor shall test to ensure compliance with OEM performance standards.

C.5.3. PROTECTION FROM VOLTAGE AND CURRENT SPIKES/FLUCTUATIONS:

Equipment installed, to provide reliable service, shall be protected from damage due to voltage or current spikes/fluctuations from any source.

C.5.4. DEMARCATION POINTS FOR SERVICE(S) DELIVERY VIA HOUSE CABLE/WIRING:

The demarcation point for all services (with the exception of proprietary CPE) is the station terminal end of the cross connect wiring connecting the IDF to the station terminal block that terminates station wiring from the station jack. The demarcation point for proprietary CPE is the station jack, as specified by the customer order.

C.5.5. MAIN/INTERMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION FRAME(S) (MDF/IDF):

The contractor shall provide state of the art cross connect system(s) for each site. The type of frame provided shall facilitate ease of cable management and maintenance plus satisfy the maximum cross-connect requirements forecast for the life of the contract.

C.6. FEDERAL EMERGENCY SUPPORT DURING DISASTERS:

The contractor shall support the National Security Emergency Preparedness (NSEP) Plan. When required, the contractor shall provide prioritized service restoration to station lines designated as “critical” by the Government. Lines will be designated “critical” by the Regional Emergency Communications Coordinator (RECC). Communications support shall be furnished under PL93288, NSDD97, NSDD145, and other applicable laws. Executive Order 12472 shall be considered additionally in system services provision. Offeror shall clearly describe NSEP support and procedures to include policies, action plans, contact information and means for periodic testing.

C.7. IMPLEMENTATION PLANS:

The Offeror shall develop a milestone schedule that explains the proposed implementation of all service(s) by location within each LATA CLIN. The plan(s) shall identify and sequence major activities necessary to deliver service(s). This plan may include station surveys, site preparations, installations, testing, cutovers, etc. Implementation plans shall be included in all responses to Government solicitations.

C.8. MAINTENANCE OF SERVICES:

The contractor shall be responsible for responding to restoring service for all reported troubles in a timely manner. Response shall be in accordance with Section F.2. The contractor shall maintain service(s) delivery at no additional charge(s) to the customer (line terminal users). The contractor shall bill the customer the prevailing rates for maintenance provided to identify or correct any failure caused by customer facilities and equipment not furnished by the contractor.

C.8.1. TYPES OF MAINTENANCE REQUIRED:

C.8.1.1. Routine - response in accordance with Section F.2.

C.8.1.2. Priority – response in accordance with Section F.2.

C.8.1.3. Emergency - response in accordance with Section F.2.

C.9. OUTGOING TRUNK GROUP LOAD CONTROL (OTGLC):

The system shall provide trunk group load control, based on user class mark, to groups a station may access to place a call during an emergency situation. Users given the special outgoing OTGLC access will be identified during the station design phase of system implementation. The special access shall be initiated only at the direction of the COTR. Time to enable OTGLC shall not exceed three (3) minutes. Callers denied outgoing access shall be given an appropriate intercept announcement.

C.10. SERVICE ORDERING PROCEDURES:

Any agency ordering document may be used to order service. Agency orders for moves, adds and changes (MACs) for lines and features will be placed by agency users only through GSA. Agency orders for proprietary terminal equipment should follow competitive procedures, unless otherwise justified to order directly from the contractor. Offeror shall clearly describe the ordering process, procedures and policies related to transition of services and the following order types.

C.10.1. ORDER TYPES:

The order type shall be clearly marked on all order documents.