U. S. Dark Fiber Operations and Maintenance

The Defense Information Systems Agency published a Special Notice on May 18, 2021 regarding the sole-source award of the U.S. Dark Fiber Operations and Maintenance contract. The notice posted the redacted Justification and Approval document to publicly disclose the sole-source award in accordance with FAR 6.305(a), which is still pending contract award and serves as a supplement to the initial Sources Sought notice.

The Special Notice provides details on the sole-source follow-on contract to Lumen Technologies Government Services, the incumbent contractor-owner of the existing dark fiber infrastructure acquired via a 25-year indefeasible right of use agreement expiring in 2028. The objective is to continue operation and maintenance, technology refreshes, fiber relocations, and enhancements over a seven-year base period through September 2028 for the contractor-owned fiber network and facilities currently housing government equipment. The estimated lifecycle value is redacted and the justification cites no alternative to the sole-source award due to duplication of investment required to replace the existing infrastructure.