Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Annual Mid-Atlantic Crossroads (MAX) participation and research connection fees

*** NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE *** This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals. This is not a solicitation or request for offers. No solicitation package is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency's requirement. In accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b), the National Science Foundation intends to award a sole source purchase order to the University of Maryland, Division of Information Technology of College Park, MD to provide annual Mid-Atlantic Crossroads (MAX) participation and research connection fees for October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. MAX is a GigaPoP (Gigabit Point of Presence) organization that was founded in 1999. MAX is a network access point that supports high-bandwidth, high performance data transfer and provides advanced network services that enable our participants to successfully fulfill their organizational missions. MAX is a member of and provides its participants with connectivity to Internet2 as well as various commodity Internet providers and is the only source that can provide the services in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MAX Participation Agreement between NSF. This purchase will be made utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.106-1(b) for purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $150,000. Potential offerors that believe they can fulfill the NSF's need should submit a capabilities statement to point of contact listed in this announcement.