GSA is announcing its intent to issue procurements under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. The General Services Administration (GSA) contracts for local telecommunications services with regulated and non-regulated service providers on behalf of various Federal agencies for lease of telecommunications services and ancillary equipment at locations within Region 5, The Great Lakes Region, comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Telecommunications requirements are generally satisfied through existing competitive contract vehicles; however, requirements are received by the local GSA Network Services Division field offices that are not able to be satisfied through these vehicles. Requirements processed by GSA outside of existing contract vehicles normally include commercially available telecommunications services such as: Centrex service and features, business lines and dial tone services, local area access, and Intra-LATA point-to-point services and related inside wire installation and maintenance. There may be an occasion for miscellaneous switched services, 800 Services, Frame Relay Services, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) services, Packet Switched Data Services, video services, or Integrated Switched Digital Network (ISDN) services. Analog services are typically 3-Khz voice grade circuits, while digital services may range from 9.6 KBS (narrowband) to OC-N (wideband) circuits. GSA attempts to acquire all components for each telecommunications service requirement from a single source. GSA utilizes the Telecommunications Ordering and Pricing System (TOPS), to order local telephone services, track the order activity, and validate the invoice for services rendered. Services are ordered and provisioned on a month to month basis. GSA invites companies to identify service availability, by location, including provisioning intervals and point of contact, within the six state region identified. Additional specialized terms and conditions may be incorporated into a specific award as required to satisfy unique needs. The GSA, Region 5, Federal Technology Service, 5TR, intends to satisfy these individual service requirements from the cognizant local service provider unless a response is received from this notice to identify other sources capable of providing competitive services equal to or less than the prevailing tariff rates. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for these telecommunications service requirements is 513310. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; identification of services, availability and pricing are being requested and individual written solicitations will not be issued. This solicitation is a Request for Quotation, reference Number 5TS5702R004. This RFQ document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAC 2001-04. The Desired Delivery Date and Required Delivery Date will be specified on orders identifying specific requirement. FAR 52.252-2 applies to this acquisition. Full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far. FAR 52.212-1 applies to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-2 shall apply to this acquisition. Award shall be made, based on cost, to the responsive and responsible offeror. QUOTATIONS SHALL INCLUDE A COMPLETED COPY OF THE PROVISIONS AT FAR 52.212-3. FAR 52.212-4 applies to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-5 applies to this acquisition -- FAR 52.212-5(b): The following additional FAR clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, and 52.232-33. Information and offers will be accepted on a continuous basis. Direct replies to GSA/FTS, Mara E. Shultz; 10850 Lincoln Trail; Fairview Heights, IL 62208. Electronic mail responses to
[email protected] are acceptable. Contact Mara Shultz at (618) 398-4929 (voice) or (618) 229-4931 (fax), for information.