D -- High Speed Internet Services

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 contained in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. The NAICS code is 517110 with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees. It is the intent of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to negotiate on a sole source basis with Comcast Online, P.O. Box 827554, Philadelphia, PA 19102 for the requirement of high speed internet services. This is a continuation of existing services. Comcast has been providing these services to the NLM for the past six years and is the only known source of providing these services. Comcast is the largest provider of Broadband services in the country with a presence in 40 states and reaches into 40% of U.S. households including more than 70% coverage of the greater D.C. market. Cable companies, in most cases, do not overlap geographically. Therefore, cable Internet services are usually only available from a single provider in any given geographic area. For example, in the greater D.C. area, Comcast is the primary cable provider in Montgomery County, Prince George County, Prince William County, Arlington, Alexandria, and Reston, VA. DSL bandwidth is distance sensitive and hence is not available in many areas; and not available with enough bandwidth for NLM's applications in other areas. Therefore, Comcast cable services are the only known option available for the broadest coverage for NLM remote staff and contractors. Comcast offers speeds of Standard 6.0 Mbps downstream and 768 Kbps upstream on their Teleworker Standard product and 8.0 Mbps downstream and 768 Kbps upstream on their Enhanced product. DSL upstream speeds that are 128K are unsuitable for the purpose of NLM's requirement. Comcast does not resell Commercial Internet services through any 3rd parties at this time. The services are for a base year with four additional one-year successive option years. The following clauses and provisions apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items (September 2006); FAR 52.212-3, Offeror's Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (September 2007); FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (February 2007), and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (September 2007). This is not a Request for Quotations (RFQ), nor is an RFQ available. However, all responsible and responsive sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the NLM. Firms interested in responding to this notice must be able to provide the services as specified above. Responses should demonstrate the firm's ability to meet the government's requirements. Responses are due within nine (9) calendar days from the publication date of this notice at 12:30pm local prevaling time. NLM synopsis Number NLM-08-002-TLH shall be noted on all correspondence to this announcement. RESPONSES SHALL BE SENT VIA EMAIL TO: th276a@nih.gov. Inquiries regarding this procurement may be made to Tonitta Hopkins, Contract Specialist (301)435-4381.