National Library of Medicine, Office of Acquisitions Management, Building 38A, Room B1N17, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20894

D -- INTERNET CONNECTIVITY SERVICES TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO BIOMEDICAL INFORMATION TO AFRICAN NATIONS SOL NLM 00-061/LTN DUE 020400 POC Liem T. Nguyen, Contract Specialist, 301-496-6546 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contract specialist via, liem_nguyen@nlm.nih.gov. It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to procure VSAT satellite equipment, installation and Internet connectivity services on a sole source basis with Redwing Satellite Solutions (RSS), Ltd., Herfordshire, United Kingdom, in order to provide access to Biomedical Information to African nations. The NLM is coordinating and managing an electronic research network which enables medical researchers working in Africa to have full access to the Internet and the WorldWide Web. NLM has determined that RSS has the unique expertise and experience in working in remote African sites that are necessary to successfully provide them with turnkey support -- from equipment purchase and installation to a single carrier per channel satellite solution that offers Internet point-to-point connectivity between research sites in Africa (often in remote locations) and an Internet access point in the UK. RSS has been involved with all of the above stated activities since the inception of the project andis currently providing turnkey service to four remote research centers in Kenya and Ghana where full access to the Internet and the Worldwide Web had not been possible previously. RSS's experience in working with research centers in remote areas of Africa, under a variety of African conditions and its successful collaboration with various African agencies involved have been integral to the early success of this important Federal project in disseminating biomedical information to underserved African nations. Redwing has worked with NLM and other Federal agencies to create a solution not previously available or affordable. RSS's solution simplifies the network design and minimizes the amount of space segment required to support the remote sites. This approach also makes it very simple to add additional sites when the need arises. Additionally, the space segment can be increased at any time to accommodate both the growth in sites and the overall utilization of the network. The period of performance will be fromMarch 01, 2000 through September 29, 2000, with one successive one-year option period. This is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available; however, all responsible and responsive sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NLM. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide professional service as specified and listed above. Responses should sufficiently demonstrate the firm's ability to meet the government's requirements. Responses are required within fifteen (15) calendar days from the publication date of this notice. NLM synopsis No. NLM 00-061/LTN. Inquires regarding this procurement may be made to Liem T. Nguyen, NLM on (301) 496-6546. Posted 01/19/00 (W-SN417026). (0019)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0020 20000121\D-0001.SOL)