Synopsis of Proposed Contract Action: Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source Contract to AT&T for Northstar Network Services

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)/Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO) intends to negotiate a sole source contract with AT&T Government Solutions for telecommunications services on a program knows as the Northstar Network. A sole source Justification & Approval (J&A) document is being coordinated and, upon approval, a copy of it will be posted here on FedBizOpps to comply with the public display requirements of FAR 6.305. The proposed contract action is for an Ultra-High Frequency/Line of sight (UHF/LOS) communications system that provides analog and digital air-to-ground/ground-to-air communications connectivity. The purpose of this action is to provide digital, voice, video, and data services to suitably equipped aircraft with a minimum of 95 percent coverage of the Continental United States (CONUS). A sufficient number of ground entry points (GEPs) equipped with UHF communications equipment are required to provide this minimum coverage. Each GEP must be able to support a minimum of two aircraft simultaneously in either digital or analog mode and be completely interoperable with the network. These services will provide aircraft connectivity to the following networks: Department of Defense Satellite Star (SATSTAR), Executive Airlift Communications Network (EACN), SIPRNET, NIPRNET, DRSN, DSN and the public switched telephone network as well as other voice and data networks. The resultant firm-fixed price contract will be for one base period and four one-year option periods for a total lifecycle of five years. Extensive design efforts by the incumbent contractor (AT&T) make these services unique as they include the ability to remotely monitor, test, and control the operation of each GEP. Remote control capability includes all radio control functions, circuit matrix switching, alarm monitoring, trouble isolation, and network testing. Remote control is accomplished through a dedicated channel on the T-1 lines between the Waldorf and Omaha Network Control Centers and the GEPs. Dial-up access is available to each individual GEP to provide back-up support in the event of control line failure. Remote control of the GEPs is provided by AT&T Proprietary and Restricted software specifically designed and developed by AT&T. It is imperative that the software be readily modified to meet changes in the customer's mission requirements. These short-notice modifications may include network expansion, software enhancements, and/or equipment changes and upgrades. The system design document for these services is proprietary, and is owned and maintained by AT&T. The only contractors with access rights to perform maintenance and upgrades to the GEP equipment are AT&T personnel. At this time, AT&T is the only source capable of providing all necessary services. As the incumbent contractor, AT&T is the only feasible source who can support the continued mission needs at current levels without unacceptable delays and significant duplication of costs. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 USC 2304 (c) (1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Companies who can provide this service must indicate their interest in writing within 30 business days of this advertisement. All responsible sources will be considered in evaluating the determination to issue a sole-source contract. Quotations or proposals received in response to this notice cannot be accepted since this synopsis cannot be considered a request for quote or a request for proposal.