Request for Information on SSA Satellite Communications Services and Maintenance

The Social Security Administration (SSA), Office of Acquisition and Grants (OAG), in conjunction with its customer, the Office of Telecommunications and Systems Operations (OTSO) Division of Integrated Telecommunication Management (DITM), is currently performing market research to determine the availability of sources to provide a Satellite Communication Service (SCS) solution to the agency. We are looking for sources capable of providing nationwide maintenance for the current downlinks and infrastructure, airtime, and support. SCS facilitates audio and visual communications between SSA locations over a wide geographic area. Specifically, SCS includes the following SSA programs and support desk: - Interactive Video Teletraining (IVT): A distance-learning tool that transforms the traditional classroom into a distance-learning classroom, using video, audio, and data communications. IVT enables a centrally-located instructor to communicate with each student regardless of the student's geographic location. - Social Security Television (SSTV): A specialized form of broadcasting where the Agency streams multimedia content for display in the reception areas of Agency field offices. SSTV support the Visitor Intake Process to provide information to the Public of the waiting lines at field offices. - Visual Communications Control Center (VCCC): The VCCC acts as the support desk for all hardware and software that receives, monitors, tracks, records, and resolves technical issues related to SCS. Maintenance and support currently represents the most significant functional area under this requirement. We require maintenance, management, and support on the Agency's existing SCS infrastructure. This infrastructure consists of Satellite Uplink with airtime and Radio Frequency (RF) equipment. The agency has over 1,700 downlink sites in the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Maintenance includes onsite support for 13 - hours predominantly from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, with a two-business day return-to-service time, and in some cases emergency replacement within 8 business hours. This support also includes quarterly preventative maintenance. Moreover, as part of this service, the contractor must staff the VCCC to provide troubleshooting; local repair of equipment; customer service; and overall management of the SCS nationwide. We attached a draft Statement of Work (SOW) to this notification that better explains our requirements. Please note that this SOW may reference documents, attachments, and sections that we have not included. Further, the SOW and other documents are not final and may be subject to change. We request information from businesses that believe they have a bona-fide capability to meet the Agency's SCS requirements. Specifically, interested firms should submit the following information: 1) General Information: Include the company name, address, point of contact name, point of contact number, DUNS Number, business size status for the indicated NAICS code. 2) Capabilities: In five pages or less, provide an explanation for how your firm has the capability and experience to support the Agency's present SCS infrastructure nationwide. Include details of how you provided similar services to Federal Government clients (include contract number, date of award, dollar value, and explanation of how support relates to the potential requirements stipulated within this notice). This would include any small businesses that can meet the requirements for SCS. 3) Documentation Comments: Provide any comments or suggestions to the current Statement of Work and related documentation. Identify any areas that appear ambiguous or otherwise unclear. Identify any items that may be missing from the bundled purchases section for installing new downlinks. This would include any optional equipment that is not listed in the draft Statement of Work that may be needed to install a new downlink. 4) Availability of Services through Existing Contracts: Identify if your firm believes that a GWAC exists that could meet these requirements. If so, provide specific details that could assist the Agency evaluate the identified source of supply. 5) Equipment Requirements: Provide information regarding Integrated Receiver Decoders (IRD) and other components that may be compatible with our current PowerVu infrastructure. 6) Transition: Provide information regarding whether a satellite re-point would be needed to transition our existing services anytime over the next 5 years. If a re-point is necessary, please explain the process and how this may affect the agency in terms of potential downtown, a budgetary estimate of cost, additional equipment necessary, or any other considerations. Interested sources that believe they have the bona fide capability to perform these services should submit a detailed statement of their solution, in writing, to Christopher Mettee, Contracting Officer, Division of Information Technology Support Services, 7111 Security Boulevard, First Floor Rear Entrance, Baltimore, MD 21244. In addition, SSA will accept responses submitted electronically via email at Christopher.Mettee@ssa.gov. Facsimile responses are not acceptable. Please reference SSA-RFI-13-SCS01 in the email subject line. SSA must receive all responses by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 29, 2013. Synopsis Terms and Conditions: - This is a sources sought announcement, a market survey for written information only. - This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals and the Government will not award a contract from this announcement. - The Government will not reimburse for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. - The Government will not accept any telephone calls, or requests for a bid package or solicitation. There is no bid package or solicitation. - In order to protect the procurement integrity of any future procurement, if any, that may arise from this announcement; the Government will not give information regarding the technical point of contact. - The Government will not make appointments for presentations. This synopsis is for planning purposes only, not a commitment by the Government. - The Government will use responses to this sources sought/market research notice to make appropriate acquisition decisions.