Notice of Intent to Sole Source NTSB Data Center Ethernet and DIA Circuits

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO) requires Ethernet network service to inter-connect three data centers and Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) service for each of the data centers to provide Internet access. In FY17, NTSB awarded a contract for services to deploy the Wide Area Network (WAN) 2.0 which consists of three (3) access hubs located in Equinix data centers in Ashburn, VA, Seattle, WA and Dallas, TX. The hubs inter-connect to one another through private 1G metro links to provide redundancy. The WAN forms a network transport providing connections to NTSB facilities in DC (Headquarters (HQ)), Ashburn, VA (Training Center), Anchorage, AK, Seattle, WA, and Denver, CO. The NTSB's contractor established Ethernet network services through GTT. From each of the access hubs, there are three (3) primary external interfaces that provide connections to Internet service providers, cloud providers, and network service providers. The DIA interface provides a direct connection to Internet service providers that allows remote access to mobile users and connection to branch offices. The Cloud service interface, through a private access, provides a direct connection to all cloud providers. The Ethernet network service interface provides a highly reliable network connection between the hubs. The NTSB OCIO has a requirement for GTT to continue providing the Ethernet network service to inter-connect three data centers and DIA service for each of data centers to provide Internet access. Also, all the currently provided IP addresses allocated per data center shall stay as assigned. The procurement consists of the following service: Ethernet network service between Ashburn and Seattle data centers Ethernet network service between Ashburn and Dallas data centers Ethernet network service between Seattle and Dallas data centers DIA Internet service to Ashburn data center DIA Internet service to Seattle data center DIA Internet service to Dallas data center Maintain all current assigned IPv4 to data centers In order to satisfy this requirement, the NTSB intends to issue a sole source solicitation directly to GTT for the continued provision of the Ethernet network service for a period of 12 months. This procurement is being conducted in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) - Soliciting from a single source. The NAICS code for this procurement is 517311, Wired Telecommunication Carriers and the Small Business Administration Size Standard is 1500 employees. GTT was contracted to establish the current Ethernet network service by the NTSB's contractor under the NTSB's FY17 contract. The NTSB requires continued Ethernet service under a direct contractual arrangement between GTT and the NTSB. In order to maintain the connection, and thereby the WAN network, it is essential that GTT's Ethernet network services continue without disruption. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be accepted. However, any firm that believes it can meet the requirements may give written notification to the Contracting Officer within 10 calendar days from the date of publication of this synopsis. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate connections as described above. Information, not to exceed five (5) pages, can be sent via e-mail to Peter M. Hazlinsky, at contact@example.gov. Responses received will be evaluated; though, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, the NTSB will proceed with the issuance of a sole source solicitation for this requirement to GTT.