Intent to Sole Source for continued test and measurement data

Added: Nov 17, 2011 8:18 am

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with SamKnows LTD, 25 Harley St, London, GBR for continued data collection, testing and verification services necessary to ensure that the FCC continues to have access to accurate broadband measurement and testing data. A contract was competitively awarded in April 2010 to SamKnows to obtain measurement and test data using software and hardware proprietary to SamKnows. It's "white box" hardware containing the proprietary software subsequently was deployed to approximately 9,000 sample panelists who were selected to participate in the study based, in critical part, on statistically relevant selection criteria proprietary to SamKnows and whose identity is known only to SamKnows. A subsequent six month sole source contract was awarded to SamKnows on May 3, 2011 to continue this work. The FCC issued a Report describing the results of the study in August 2011.

The FCC requires an additional one year contract to enable further data collection, analysis, and the preparation of a 2012 study, with a one year option to include, if necessary, the preparation of a 2013 study report. Continued access to accurate broadband performance measurement data can only be achieved through the use of the technology and panel participants currently in place. Maintaining the integrity of this approach to data collection and analysis will enable the FCC to develop time series assessments of changes in the panel's broadband use over different periods. It also will avoid the introduction of new methodologies that could compromise the policy value of the data gathered in the studies. Another vendor would not be able to replicate the measurement study using the same proprietary processes and existing panel participants, thereby compromising the integrity of the collection process and the compatibility of the data for purposes of comparative studies, projections, etc. SamKnows is the only source for collecting, analyzing and providing this data with the existing deployed hardware and software to the same group of approximately 9000 panelists.

The FCC is not soliciting quotes from other parties and this notice is for informational purposes only. If you believe you can do this follow on work as detailed in the attached statement of work consistent with all aspects of section C, please submit your capabilities by the closing date of this announcement. Responses may be emailed to the contracting officer prior to the closing date.