SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- Notice of Intent to Sole Source - USDA Data and Voice Services
- Notice Date
- 4/21/2023 1:43:32 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 517111
—
- Contracting Office
- USDA, OCP-POD-ACQ-MGMT-BRANCH-FTC FORT COLLINS CO 80521 USA
- ZIP Code
- 80521
- Response Due
- 4/28/2023 2:00:00 PM
- Point of Contact
- Emily Strunk, Phone: 9702955275
- E-Mail Address
-
emily.strunk@usda.gov
(emily.strunk@usda.gov)
- Description
- NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITVE PROPOSALS. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to enter into a sole source firm fixed-price contract with AT&T Corporation under the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition, 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, for the continuity of telecommunications services while the services are being transitioned from the General Service Administration (GSA) Networx contract to the GSA Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract.� USDA is made up of twenty-nine (29) agencies and offices with approximately one hundred thousand (100,000) employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and around the globe. USDA currently utilizes GSA Networx, Washington Interagency Telecommunications System-3 (WITS-3) and Local Telecommunications Services contracts to procure telecommunications and related services to meet its telecommunication needs. The services rendered under the Networx contract being performed by AT&T over the past decade have enabled USDA to provide economic opportunity through innovation and facilitate the development of rural America, as well as promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans and members of the global community. The telecommunication infrastructure has also enabled the preservation of our Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands. It is important for USDA to retain its current operational infrastructure which is heavily reliant upon the AT&T work performed under GSA Networx contract.� GSA�s Networx, WITS-3, and Local Telecommunications Services contracts expire on 31 May 2023.� Through the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the GSA and the USDA dated 26 September 2022, GSA has implemented a Continuity of Services (CoS) period beginning 1 June 2023 through 31 May 2024. The MOU prohibits contractors from accepting any orders for new services or changes and relocation of existing services on any of the expiring telecommunication contracts after 1 June 2023. The MOU stipulates the only orders permitted are those requesting the disconnection of current services being performed under the contracts. USDA�s inability to request new services and or modify and relocate existing services will create a crippling effect on the multiple networks the agency currently uses for its operations. To accommodate timely transitions and foster continuation of services, USDA competitively awarded the USDANet task order under GSA�s replacement Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract vehicle on 16 December 2021 to Lumen Technologies Government Solutions, Inc.; however, since the award of this replacement task order, there have been multiple issues that have delayed the original transition schedule included in the task order requirements.� Due to the inability to transition services to the new Lumen task order by the expiration of the Networx contract and the limits imposed through the MOU, USDA has determined that the only solution that will maintain continuity of operations, is to award a sole source contract to AT&T.� This Notice of Intent is not considered an Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Proposals (RFP), or Request for Quotations (RFQ) nor does it restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. Responsible sources capable of providing the required services may identify their interest and technical capability to meet this requirement. The Government will not reimburse firms for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The associated NAICS code for this acquisition is 517111, with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees. All responses must be submitted to the Government by email only to Emily Strunk at Emily.Strunk@usda.gov and shall be considered by the Agency. All responses must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Friday, April 28, 2023.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/e3ee45b1cedf4fcb896c0dcf8ca71a09/view)
- Record
- SN06658662-F 20230423/230421230107 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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