Local Telecommunication Service

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Connecticut Air National Guard Bases

Local Telecommunication Service (LTS)

1.0   Description

1.1   The National Guard Bureau (NGB) in support of the 103d Air Wing, Bradley Air National Guard Base in East Granby, CT and the 103d Air Control Squadron, Air National Guard Base in Orange, CT is issuing this Sources Sought Notice – Request for Information (RFI) to improve NGB’s understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors capable of providing Local Telecommunication Service (LTS).

1.2   THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. Responses to this RFI will help support the acquisition strategy for this acquisition and identify if whether or not businesses are capable of successfully providing. As permitted by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, Market Research, and FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), or a promise to issue an RFP or RFQ. Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to its submission; other than acknowledgement of receipt – if a request for an acknowledgement is requested by the submitter. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The NGB is not at this time seeking proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP or RFQ. All responses to this RFI become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

2.0   Background

The Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer (CIO) has mandated all LSTDM transport technologies used for mission-related tasks be retired and replaced with IP based technologies. This is due to commercial support and hardware for LSTDM equipment being more difficult to find or phased out entirely. Current equipment on site at Bradley ANGB, CT and Orange ACS, CT can only support TDM-based technologies, so conversion from SIP to TDM is required. Local TS does not include long-distance or Defense Switching Network (DSN) services, which are beyond the scope of this action.

Due to changes in technology, equipment, and processes, it has become evident that the Government should acquire these services in a performance-based manner, consistent with the principles contained in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 63-138 “Acquisition of Services.” These services are considered Information Technology (IT) In Accordance With (IAW) Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Subpart 239.74 “Telecommunications Services.” The requirement herein represents the site’s performance-based requirements for local “dial-tone” and ancillary services as defined herein. As a part of the new process, the Air Force (AF) encourages the Contractor to identify or suggest improvements to existing CSA processes, operating procedures, systems, or applications to the Contracting Officer (CO). Detailed specifications can be reviewed in Attachment 1, Performance Work.

3.0   Requested Information

The NGB is requesting market participation to analyze the Performance Work Statement for any comments/questions/recommendations. Additionally, the NAICS has been identified as eligible for the SBA Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting program at https://www.sba.gov/document/support-eligible-naics-women-owned-small-business-federal-contracting-program. NGB is researching to confirm whether or not this service is available for purchase from a women-owned small business (WOSB) under NAICS: 517111 – Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Size Standard: 1,500 employees.

4.0   Responses

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with Attachment 2. Sources Sought Questionnaire and return NLT 06 May 2024 at 1PM EST to the Contract Specialist, TSGT Delmar Munoz, delmar.munoz.mil@army.mil.

5.0   Meetings and Discussions

The Government representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential RFI service providers. Such meetings and discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability, especially any development and certification risks.

6.0   Questions

Questions regarding this RFI should be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contract Specialist, TSGT Delmar Munoz, delmar.munoz.mil@army.mil.

7.0   Summary

This RFI is only intended to improve NGB’s understanding of market capabilities and identify qualified vendors capable of providing Local Telecommunication Service (LTS). The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding to the NGB. The NGB has not made a commitment to procure any of the RFI requirements discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.