MODIFICATION - This modification changes the response date from June 17, 2006 to July 3, 2006. SYNOPSIS - This is a notice of intent to issue a sole-source, no-cost purchase order to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), 4676 Admiralty Way, Suite 330, Marina del Rey, CA 90292. The period of performance for this effort will be five years, with a one-year base period and four one-year options. The Government will award this purchase order on July 17, 2006. The Contractor shall support the operation of the Internet and its domain name and numbering system (DNS) by performing three, interdependent technical Internet coordinating functions, known as the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). In support of the operation of the Internet DNS, the Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, material, equipment, services, and facilities to perform the following services. First, the Contractor shall coordinate the assignment of technical protocol parameters. This function involves the review and assignment of unique values to numerous parameters (e.g., operation codes, port numbers, object identifiers, protocol numbers) used in various Internet protocols. This function also includes dissemination of listings of assigned parameters through various means (including on-line publication) and the review of technical documents for consistency with assigned values. Second, the Contractor shall perform administrative functions associated with root management. This function primarily involves facilitation and coordination of the root zone of the Internet DNS. It includes receiving requests for and making routine updates of the country code top level domain contact and nameserver information. Third, the Contractor shall allocate Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) and Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) delegations of Internet Protocol (IP) address space. This function includes delegation of IP address blocks to regional registries for routine allocation, typically through downstream providers, to Internet end-users within the regions served by those registries. It also includes reservation and direct allocation of space for special purposes, such as multicast addressing, addresses for private networks, and globally specified applications. This procurement is being conducted under the authority of 41 U.S.C. § 253(c)(1) – only one responsible source, which applies when the services required by the agency are only available from one responsible source and no other type of service will satisfy the agency’s needs. The IANA functions have been performed under contract with the Government for more than 25 years, previously under the auspices of the Department of Defense's Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). As DARPA’s contract with the University of Southern California (USC) neared expiration in 1999, the Government recognized the need for the continued performance of the IANA functions as vital to the stable and secure technical functioning of the Internet and developed a transition plan for this responsibility. On December 24, 1998, USC entered into a transition agreement with ICANN under which ICANN secured directly from USC all necessary resources, including key personnel, intellectual property, and computer facility access critical to the continued performance of the IANA functions. Having assumed these key resources (as well as other responsibilities associated with privatization of the Internet DNS management through its Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Commerce), the Department of Commerce determined that ICANN was uniquely positioned to undertake performance of these functions and entered into a contract with ICANN. The Department has issued three sole source contracts to ICANN under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) to perform the IANA functions: February 8, 2000; March 21, 2001; and March 13, 2003. The current contract with ICANN expires on September 30, 2006. Offeror’s who believe they can meet this requirement are required to submit in writing an affirmative response demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the requirements detailed above. All written responses must include a written narrative statement of capability, including detailed technical information demonstrating their ability to meet the above requirements. The response must be sufficient to permit the agency analysis to establish a bona fide capability to meet the requirements. Failure to submit such documentation will result in the Government proceeding as stated above. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Affirmative written responses must be received no later than ten (10) days after publication of this synopsis. See government-wide numbered note 22. A copy of the Statement of Work is available on NTIA’s website at www.ntia.doc.gov. All responses to this synopsis may be submitted via e-mail to Brendon Johnson, Contracting Officer, at
[email protected], with a copy to Carol Silverman, Contracting Officer, at
[email protected]. A hard copy shall be provided to the U. S. Department of Commerce, Office of Acquisition Management and Financial Assistance, Commerce Acquisition Solutions Division, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 6521, Washington, DC 20230.