Ceiling increase - University of Maryland (MAX) Connectivity Services to NOAA Research/OCIO N-WAVE

In accordance with FAR 6.302-1 the Government intends to increase the ceiling on noncompetitive Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type contract DG-1330-12-CQ0038 with the University of Maryland GigaPOP (MAX) for the interconnection of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of the Chief Information Officer (OICO) and NOAA Research facilities in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area to NOAA Research Network or N-WAVE. The noncompetitive contract was awarded on September 1, 2012 for one base year of performance with four (4) one year option periods with a total value of $2,600,000. Due to activities surrounding and ensuring compliance with the Trusted Internet Connection mandate and support of the NOAA Network Consolidation and Optimization plan, additional task orders have been required over the original estimated celling. This celling increase will allow for continued services within scope of the current contract and established period of performance through 31 August 2017. The NOAA Office of the Chief Information Officer has engineered, configured and implemented a national Wide Area Research Network, also known as N-Wave, for interconnection of the OCIO, NOAA high performance research resources and the NOAA scientific community as a whole. The intent of N-Wave, when fully implemented, is to provide a national network backbone for the interconnection of all NOAA research facilities. Key factors to and the underlying infrastructure of N-Wave are the fiber optic circuits, N-Waves access to national research networks (such as Internet2, National LamdaRail) and the associated services provided by members of the research consortiums. The proposed contract action is a continuation of the current connectivity of the N-Wave in the Mid-Atlantic Region (Washington, DC Metropolitan Area). Specifically, the University of Maryland will be required to perform the following tasks: - Provide connectivity of NOAA's OCIO and Research facilities to the University of Maryland (MAX) core services. Provide the management, design and guidance for capacity and capability expansion of N-Wave. - Provide overarching market research and assessment of emerging networking services and technologies that may enhance the capabilities of the research consortiums and in particular NOAA's high performance research network. - Provide Engineering, technical and management support services to maintain the established networks. In contracting with the University of Maryland, NOAA leverages substantial research investment as a long standing member of multiple research consortiums. This proposed action will also enforce NOAA's commitment to current and future network access privileges granted through consortium "Indefeasible Right of Use" agreements (IRUs). Finally, NOAA's opportunity to enhance its leadership role in research is sustained through collaboration with Federal agencies labs, nonprofit organizations, universities, libraries and technology and information service providers throughout the United States. This notice is not a request for proposals. It is the Government's belief that the University of Maryland GigaPOP (MAX) is the only entity capable of meeting the requirements in the attached Statement of Work. Any potential sources with the expertise and required capabilities to meet these requirements may demonstrate its ability to meet the requirements stated above by submitting a capabilities statement in duplicate copies not later than 15 calendar days from the date of the posting of this announcement. Any response must include sufficient information to allow the Government to evaluate its capability relative to the technical requirements stated herein. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement for competition based upon responses to this notice is solely within its discretion. Responses are to be submitted to Contracting Officer, Michael Blumenfeld, at michael.blumenfeld@noaa.gov. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION.