H--BGNDRF RESEARCH INTERNET UPGRADE

The contract pertains to the upgrade of the research internet infrastructure at the Brackish Groundwater National Desalination Research Facility in Alamogordo, New Mexico, under the authority of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Upper Colorado Regional Office. The scope involves installing fiber optic cabling, network equipment including a unified security gateway, a 24-port switch, and wireless access points to replace the existing DSL service, ensuring reliable wired and wireless connectivity throughout the facility and outdoor test areas. The project must be completed within 60 days of award and supports a minimum of 10 regular users and 50–100 intermittent users with a 1G/1G bandwidth capacity. Key deliverables include a detailed wireless coverage plan, a project schedule with milestones, recommended fiber routing to the demarcation point, and a summary report with high-resolution pre- and post-installation photos. The contract is awarded on a firm fixed-price basis using a best-value trade-off approach, where technical capability, past performance, and price are equally weighted. The base performance period runs from May 8, 2026, to May 7, 2027, with two one-year option periods available, capped at a total duration of three years and six months. All work must comply with OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, use U.S. Customary Units and English language documentation, and meet labeling and photographic standards. The contract is a small business set-aside under NAICS code 517111 with a size standard of 1,500 employees, and offerors must self-certify as small businesses. It includes a deviation to FAR clause 52.219-6, reflecting a modified small business set-aside provision effective January 2026. Contractors must comply with all applicable labor standards, including wage determinations 2015-5455, Rev. 29, and prohibitions on confidential agreements restricting whistleblower rights. Mandatory electronic invoicing through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform is required, and all submittals must include the contract number, title, and Required Submittal Number. The Contracting Officer’s Representative and Contracting Officer are designated for oversight and authorization, with strict protocols prohibiting unauthorized directions and requiring immediate reporting of safety incidents. Attachments include the Statement of Work, Price Schedule, and Wage Determinations, while security requires all contractor personnel to be escorted on-site