Switched long distance services

The State of South Carolina Department of Administration, Office of Technology and Information Services (OTIS) is seeking a comprehensive Switched Long-Distance Telephony Services contract to serve all 46 counties in the state, with a specific focus on Richland County. The procurement aims to replace the existing contract and establish a single-vendor statewide solution for telecommunications services, including outward special access, switched access long-distance, toll-free services, international calling, directory assistance, operator services, state calling card services, and conference bridging. For calendar year 2021, the state generated over 43 million minutes of long-distance traffic across these service categories. Vendors must provide pricing on a firm, fixed basis with all costs included for a three-year contract term, with an option to renew for four additional one-year periods. The solicitation was issued on September 6, 2022, with questions due by September 19, 2022, at 2:00 PM, and offers due by October 11, 2022, at 2:00 PM. The anticipated contract start date is November 7, 2022, with an end date of November 6, 2027. Evaluation criteria will include competitive pricing, service capabilities, and compliance with extensive technical and operational requirements.

The solicitation does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions on respondent organizations. The incumbent provider is not explicitly named, but the contract requires the current provider to work closely with any new contractor to facilitate service migration. Vendors must establish a 24/7/365 Network Operations Center and provide dedicated staffing, including an Account Manager, Project Manager, and Billing Administrators. The contract requires comprehensive security safeguards compliant with South Carolina security policies and detailed reporting mechanisms. While a specific budget range is not provided, the historical usage of 43 million minutes suggests a substantial potential contract value. Contractors will be subject to rigorous performance standards, with liquidated damages of $250 per business day for installation delays and potential contract termination for repeated Service Level Agreement violations. An administrative fee will be assessed and added to all invoices, with the specific percentage to be determined at contract award.