Notice of Intent to Sole Source iPhone 5S Devices

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) intends to issue a sole source solicitation to Verizon Wireless to provide Apple iPhone 5S devices. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) - Soliciting from a single source. The NAICS code for this procurement is 423690 and the Small Business Administration Size Standard is 100 employees. Verizon Wireless is under contract to provide wireless services to the NTSB. Wireless-related hardware is not within the scope of the contract. However, Verizon Wireless is a seller of wireless-related hardware. Because of its contract with the NTSB, Verizon Wireless offers services to manage the transfer of current phone numbers and accounts utilized by NTSB employees to the iPhone 5S device prior to shipping to the NTSB. These services are uniquely offered by Verizon Wireless because it is the NTSB's wireless services provider. Additionally, because Verizon Wireless is the NTSB's wireless services provider, Verizon Wireless offers a device refresh program to the NTSB with significant discounts on hardware devices not otherwise available in the marketplace. The discount offered by Verizon Wireless would equate to a zero-dollar net cost to the NTSB to upgrade to Apple iPhone 5S devices. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. However, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within five (5) calendar days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to provide services to manage the transfer of current phone numbers and accounts utilized by NTSB employees to the iPhone 5S device prior to shipping to the NTSB in a manner that is technically equal to the services offered by Verizon Wireless. Information, not to exceed five (5) pages, can be sent via e-mail to Peter M. Hazlinsky, at [email protected] . Responses received will be evaluated; though, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the NTSB will proceed with the issuance of a sole source contract for this requirement to Verizon Wireless.