Northstar Network. Communication services consist of digital voice, video, and data provided to suitably equipped aircraft users with coverage throughout the Continental United States.
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 822673966
- Agency
-
Defense Information Systems Agency
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 517111 Wired Telecommunications Carriers
- Place of performance
- Nebraska, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is seeking to procure communication services for the Northstar Network, which will provide digital voice, video, and data connectivity to equipped aircraft throughout the Continental United States. The contract will support the Department of Defense Executive Airlift Communications Network (EACN) and enable aircraft access to classified and unclassified DoD networks including Secret IP Data Service and Sensitive but Unclassified IP Data Service. The primary contract requirements include operating two geographically separated Special Government Operation Centers (SGOCs) at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska and Waldorf, Maryland, each equipped with UHF communications equipment capable of supporting both analog and digital communications simultaneously. The procurement is being conducted as a pre-solicitation notice with a response deadline of April 29, 2026, allowing interested parties an opportunity to submit information before the formal solicitation is released. No specific evaluation criteria or proposal submission details are detailed in this notice, as the agency intends to coordinate and post a sole source justification document that will provide additional information.
This procurement involves no set-aside designations and is being pursued as a sole source contract with AT&T, the current incumbent contractor identified as the only responsible source capable of meeting all agency requirements under the statutory authority of 10 USC 3204(a)(1). The notice does not specify an anticipated contract value or budget range. The contract will be performed at two locations: Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska and Waldorf, Maryland, which will be geographically separated to eliminate radio frequency interference and ensure mission survivability. The Northstar Network's infrastructure will consist of Ground Entry Points (GEPs) controlled by the SGOCs to manage communications routing and access to multiple DoD networks. Companies believing they possess the capability to provide these services are invited to submit information before the formal solicitation, though the agency's stated intent to sole source with AT&T indicates a challenging procurement environment for potential competitors.
Notice text
NOTICE OF INTENT-SOURCES SOUGHT
The Defense Information Systems Agency/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization intends to negotiate a sole source contract with AT&T. A sole source Justification & Approval document is being coordinated and, upon approval, a copy of it will be posted here on SAM.gov to comply with the public display requirements of FAR 6.301.
The proposed contract action is for communication services consisting of digital voice, video, and data provided to suitably equipped aircraft users with coverage throughout the Continental United States (CONUS). The Northstar Network’s current configuration is comprised of Ground Entry Points (GEPs) controlled by Special Government Operation Centers (SGOCs). Each GEP shall be equipped with UHF communications equipment. Each GEP shall be capable of supporting analog and digital communications to and from aircraft simultaneously. Through the Northstar Network, an aircraft may gain access to Department of Defense (DoD) Executive Airlift Communications Network (EACN), Secret IP Data Service (formerly known as Secret IP Router Network (SIPRNET), Sensitive but Unclassified IP Data Service (formerly known as Non-secure Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET) and other voice and data networks. EACN is a network that provides digital voice, data, and video access utilizing various government and commercial transports.
The anticipated Place of Performance is two Special Government Operation Centers located at Offutt AFB NE and Waldorf MD that shall be geographically separated to eliminate Radio Frequency (RF) interference and ensure mission survivability.
At this time, the incumbent contractor AT&T is the only source capable of providing all necessary services.
The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 USC 3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.103-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Companies who believe they can provide this service must indicate their interest in writing within 15 days of this notification and include a detailed capability statement. No reimbursement for any cost connected with providing capability information will be provided. All responsible sources will be considered in evaluating the determination to issue a sole-source contract. Quotations or proposals received in response to this notice cannot be accepted since this synopsis cannot be considered a request for quote or a request for proposal. A solicitation will NOT be posted to SAM.gov due to the sole source nature of the requirement.
The North American Classification System (NAICS) code 517111 will be used for determining company size status.
CONTRACT/PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
Contract Number: HC1013-21-C-0006
Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price
Incumbent and their size and CAGE: AT&T with size standard of 1,500 employees, CAGE 1DY28
Method of previous acquisition: sole source
Period of performance: July 2021 - June 2026
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must have a final Top Secret Facility Clearance from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.
The government would like to formally advise contractors that all personnel assigned to this contract must possess and maintain a security clearance of at least the Secret level. This notification is for informational purposes only; no action is required at this time.
Stringent security and cybersecurity standards are keen for STRATCOM operations.
Points of Contact: kelly.j.smith-marston.civ@mail.mil and paige.l.pierson.civ@mail.mil
For information on DISA’s requirements, you can find current information on our home page:www.disa.mil – that includes current forecast and the current acquisition strategies. If there is no information regarding the requirement you may be inquiring about, then there is no additional publicly available information. Please continue to review www.disa.mil.
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Pre-Solicitation | |
| Northstar Network. Communication services consist of digital voice, video, and data provided to suitably equipped aircraft users with coverage throughout the Continental United States. | Pre-Solicitation |
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