D--C-JTSCC/Regional Contracting Center (RCC) Qater is conducting market research for the following requirement: Defense Switched Network (DSN) 99/98 Service, for the Joint operation Area-Afghanistan.

The purpose of this notice is to conduct market research to determine the method of acquisition based on the availability and adequacy of potential sources prior to issuing the solicitation. The U.S. Government's determination on how to compete the proposed requirement will be made based on responses to this notice and is at the sole discretion of the Contracting Officer. C-JTSCC/Regional Contracting Center (RCC) Qatar is conducting market research for the following requirement: Defense Switched Network (DSN) 99/98 Service (99 commercial/local access and 98 international) for the Joint Operation Area-Afghanistan. The contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, tool, materials, supervision, other items, and non-personnel services necessary DSN services as defined in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). . The potential contract will be DSN users granting designated key personnel the ability to place local and international calls. This connectivity enables access to dial 99 for local number and 98 for limited international calling. The 99/98 access maximizes resources without tethering to or congesting current saturated satellite transmission paths. Creating hubs for commercial access minimizes bandwidth usage throughout the area of operation. The contractor shall provide connectivity and direct landline access between DSN point of demarcation and commercial telephone switches in Afghanistan. The interested contractors shall ensure connectivity to all locations managed by the Government for the duration of the contract. Where DSN to Commercial (international) services are available, the contractor shall enable the 99/98 capability. The period of performance shall be one (1) base year of 12 months and two, one year option periods the effective date of the contract. The U.S. Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this announcement; all costs associated with responding will be solely at the interested party's expense. This notice does not constitute a request for proposals. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. All information submitted will be considered and treated as public information. Respondents should not include any pricing or proprietary information.