U. S. Dark Fiber Operations and Maintenance

NOTICE OF INTENT-SOURCES SOUGHT

The Defense Information Systems Agency/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Qwest Government Services, Inc. dba CenturyLink QGS (CenturyLink).  A sole source Justification & Approval document is being coordinated and, upon approval, a copy of it will be posted here on beta.SAM.gov to comply with the public display requirements of FAR 6.305.

The proposed contract action is for continued high operational network availability and information assurance via dedicated contractor-owned, government acquired and operated, dark fiber and commercial facilities to support Department of Defense users in the Continental United States.  The contract was initially awarded via a full and open competitive solicitation for a 25-year Capital Lease of Property, Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) agreement.  The contract stipulated provisions that the Government has the unequivocal right to enter into follow-on contract(s) for continued Operation and Maintenance (O&M) services throughout the life of the IRU term.  Continuation of O&M services is critical for the operation of the fiber infrastructure, co-location facilities, network optical equipment and O&M support services.  This follow-on will provide for the continued operation of this critical infrastructure in accordance with the IRU.  This requirement includes contractor-owned buried diverse backbone fibers, secure and dedicated co-location facilities, power and environmental support services for the operation of critical optical amplification, junction node, and regeneration equipment, O&M support of the end-to-end provided network infrastructure and custom diverse fiber access laterals.  This requirement includes support for technology refresh, fiber relocations, system enhancement and upgrade, to include modified infrastructure O&M, during the period of performance.

At this time, the incumbent contractor CenturyLink is the only source capable of providing all necessary services as the owner of the fiber infrastructure and co-location facilities and, as such, the only source allowed and capable of performing O&M for the infrastructure.  CenturyLink is in the unique position to install the equipment required for upgrades and can continue to provide maintenance and repairs at the commercial facilities.  No other source under the current IRU, is capable of providing the services required by the Government to continue to operate and maintain the network without impacting and/or impairing the ability to accomplish missions in support of national security objectives.  The equipment required to operate the fiber is housed in contractor-provided buildings throughout the network.  Access to the buildings is controlled by the contractor and they possess the unique physical access and technical knowledge to repair and maintain components of the infrastructure in order for it to continue to meet the Government’s needs (performance, security, reliability, availability and sustainability) and established Defense Information System Network security guidelines.

The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 USC 2304 (c) (1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii), 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 beta.SAM.gov due to the sole source nature of the requirement.

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code 517311 will be used for determining company size status.

CONTRACT/PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Contract Number:  HC1047-12-D-0002

Contract Type:  Firm Fixed Price

Incumbent and their size and CAGE: Level 3 Communications*, LLC; Large Business; 3A6U5

Method of previous acquisition:  Sole Source Award

Period of performance:  January 1, 2012 – September 30, 2021

*Contract HC1047-12-D-0002 was awarded to Level 3 in January 2012; however, CenturyLink acquired Level 3 in 2017.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  Contractor must have a Top Secret clearance.

Points of Contact: katie.s.day.civ@mail.mil and tawanda.g.canty.civ@mail.mil