Notice of Intent to Sole Source - NTIA ISAC Multi-Stakeholder Forum Support Services

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE AND NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION OR PROPOSAL

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), Enterprise Services -Acquisition (ES-A), located in Washington, D.C., intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis and award a contract to the National Spectrum Consortium, Inc. 1150 18th Street NW, Suite 750 Washington D.C. 20036-3880.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of permitting other than full and open competition, implemented by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(i).  

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently released the National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) and Implementation Plan.  The spectrum band study goals of NSS require a multi-stakeholder forum that includes government, industry, and academia to support the conduct of the band studies.  These studies are planned to take at least two years to complete. 

The objective is to convene members of the spectrum community and establish a multi-stakeholder forum of government, industry, and academia for the purpose of providing information and feedback to the spectrum band studies and generate recommendations to enable future spectrum coexistence.  This would aid NTIA in creating and administering the multi-stakeholder forum to facilitate the coordination and collaboration needed to conduct the band studies directed by the Presidential Memorandum and the NSS. More broadly, this objective falls under the purpose of creating a multistakeholder, evidence-based, transparent process for national decision making on spectrum repurposing and spectrum sharing.

The scope includes all activities associated with the organization, support, and management of the NSS multi-stakeholder forum. This acquisition is for limited, specialized support services with the objective of providing independent, support to assist the NTIA with its requirement to convene members of the spectrum industry and academia for the purpose of providing information and feedback to the spectrum band studies as part of the NSS.

The National Spectrum Strategy (NSS) Pillar One identified various spectrum bands (including but not limited to the 3GHz, 7GHz, and 37GHz bands) for near-term, in-depth study to determine whether they may be repurposed for non-Federal or shared Federal and non-Federal use.  The studies will include (for all Federal systems): (1) consideration of coexistence (sharing) and moving systems out of the band or to alternate locations; (2) compressing the frequency usage within the band; and (3) any other mechanisms and possibilities with the potential to allow for expanded or more efficient uses of the spectrum. 

The NSS Implementation Plan states that National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will establish a multi-stakeholder forum, under the Interagency Spectrum Advisory Council (ISAC) (see figure below), for non-Federal stakeholders to engage with the Federal agencies conducting the studies. Collaboration with the multi-stakeholder forum will be on-going throughout the studies, with an emphasis on certain milestone events.  For example, the Technical Interchange Groups (TIGs) will seek input on how to model non-Federal systems and plans for studying compatibility.

This is NOT a solicitation for quotations, quotation abstracts, a request for competitive quotations; or request for competitive proposals; however, all responses received within 15 days from the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. Responses must clearly and thoroughly defend any claims or assertions that attempt to refute the Government’s claim. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely with the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Information received on this notice must eliminate the Government's concerns and address how the items can be provided without jeopardizing the on-going projects. If no affirmative responses are received within 15 days of this notice to determine whether a qualified source is more advantageous to the Government, a contract will be issued to National Spectrum Consortium, Inc. There is no solicitation package available. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Dgreen@doc.gov.