D -- Internet2 Services

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a separate solicitation will not be issued. The U.S. Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a requirement to contract for Internet2 Services with the University of Maryland, one of the founding institutions of the Mid Atlantic Crossroads (MAX), to become a participant of the MAX Network. The MAX is an advanced regional internetworking project, founded by a consortium of universities, including University of Maryland, Georgetown University and George Washington University. MAX participation allows access to high performance networking with high bandwidth connectivity among MAX Network participants and from participants to national high bandwidth research and education networks. In order to connect to the MAX Network, connectivity to the Internet2 Abilene Network operated by the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID) is required. To be a participant in the MAX Network, a participant must be a Primary or Secondary Participant in Abilene (Internet2). NOAA intends to issue a contract to the University of Maryland, Mid-Atlantic Crossroads (MAX) to become a participant in the MAX Network. NOAA also intends to issue a purchase order for participation and connectivity to Abilene to become an Affiliate Member of the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (USCAID). It is believed that the University of Maryland (MAX Network) and the Abilene Network is the only source for the Internet2. Interested parties having the capabilities to provide this service to NOAA should submit their capabilities via email within 45 days of this notice. If no responses are received, a sole source contract with the University of Maryland and a purchase order with Abilene (Internet2) will be pursued without further notice. The agreements will be for a base period of nine months with the option to extend (renew) for 4 additional one year periods. This is not to be considered a Request for Proposal. No contract will be awarded from offers received in response to this notice, but offers will be used to determine if a comparable source is available and more advantageous to NOAA. The provisions and clauses may be downloaded at http://www.acqnet.gov/far. The following provisions and clauses shall apply to this solicitation: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial, applies to this acquisition and there are no addenda to this provision. The Government will award a contract order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following additional FAR clauses are applicable to this acquisition: 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, with Alternate I; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans for the Vietnam Era; 52.232-1, Payments; 52.232-34, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Other then Central Contractor Registration; 52.232-39, Submission of Electronic Funds Transfer Information with Offer; 52.249-2, Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed Price)(Short Form). All responsible sources that can meet the requirements and provide the items as listed above may respond to this announcement in accordance with Note 22. Responses can also be faxed to (301) 713-0809 or emailed to [email protected]