CELLULAR TELEPHONE SERVICE The International Boundary and Water Commission, U. S. Section (USIBWC) plans to acquire on the basis of Other Than Full and Open Competition Cellular Telephone Service. This is a Notice of Intent to award a Firm Fixed Price Contract, for the above listed service to Alltell Communications, 7661 N. Mesa, St. El Paso, TX under the authority of FAR 6.302. The proposed action is for existing cellular telephones and equipment for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source. Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition: We established cellular telephone service in 1997 with Cellular One (now Alltel) because of their extended coverage along the US/Mexico border. In 1999, they entered into agreements with Mexico cellular service providers to add international calling into/from Mexico. In FY99 we purchased 22 Motorola Star Tac ST7760 digital CDMA dual mode (analog and digital) cellular phones and accessories for Headquarters personnel. One of the features that determined our purchase of this phone was "Vibracall," where the phone vibrates on an incoming call rather than rings. Nokia phones also feature a vibrating ring; however, it is the battery itself which allows for this feature, not the phone (which is the case with the Star Tac ST7760). We also purchased hands-free kits for the ST7760 phones and had them installed in our Headquarters vehicles. The StarTac ST7760 digital CDMA cellular phones can only be used with Alltel, per conversations with representatives from the four other cellular providers. On June 30, 200, we contacted representatives from other cellular phone companies and all said we would have to purchase their phones and equipment to use their service. When we determine it is time to obtain new cellular telephones, we will compete the service and the phones. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, any and all proposals received within 15 days after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. As a result of analyzing responses to this synopsis of intent, the Contracting Officer may determine that a solicitation will be issued. No additional synopsis will be published. Any such solicitation will be issued to all firms that respond to this synopsis of intent. WEB: IBWC, Acq. Div, http://www.ibwc.state.gov. E-MAIL: IBWC, Acq. Div, doloreshinton@ibwc.state.gov. Posted 08/28/00 (W-SN490925).

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0470 20000830\SP-0009.MSC)

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