Satellite Phones and Service Plan

This Sources Sought is part of the U.S. Government's market research efforts to identify capable vendors for supplying satellite phones and associated prepaid global service plans listed in the attached Statement of Work (SOW). The information gathered will help inform future procurement strategies and requirements.

This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bid (IFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this notice. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. Submittals will not be returned to the responder. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, IFB, or RFP, if any is issued.

Respondents are encouraged to review the attached draft Statement of Work (SOW). Note: The attached SOW currently specifies delivery to the INL Mexico warehouse (Trafimar, Naucalpan) with the contractor responsible for importation. The Government is evaluating an alternative delivery model to Brownsville, TX, with the Government handling importation into Mexico. Respondents should address both scenarios in Question 1 below.

Responding to this Sources Sought

• Responses are limited to no more than 10 pages in length using 14 point Font Size. The Government prefers that your firm submit its response in Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or a combination of both and the document must be searchable.
• Please identify the following about your company:
  • Name of Company, Unique Entity ID (UEI), and CAGE Code
  • Point of contact name, phone number, and email address
  • Business Type:
    • Small Business
    • Small Disadvantaged Business
    • 8(a) – certified Small Disadvantaged Business
    • HUBZone
    • Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB)
    • Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
    • Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB)
    • Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB)
    • Other than small business
• Response should provide a brief overview of your company. 
  • Table A of the attached Statement of Work includes the technical specifications for the equipment covered by this requirement.
• Respondents should address the following questions in their responses:
  • Delivery Location — Feasibility Comparison: Please indicate which delivery scenario is more feasible for your company, and explain why:

(a) Delivery to Brownsville, TX, with the U.S. Government (INL Logistics) handling importation into Mexico and the vendor providing all the required exportation licenses/permits; or

(b) Delivery to the INL Mexico warehouse (Trafimar, Naucalpan, Estado de México), with your company responsible for importation, customs clearance, and acting as importer of record.

Please address estimated cost, lead time, and any logistical risks associated with each option.

• • Can your company provide a prepaid global satellite service plan for each phone, good for 720 days with a minimum of 6,000 minutes, that is serviceable in Mexico? Please describe plan activation timing and whether SIM cards would be pre-activated prior to delivery.
  • Besides the SIM cards and the prepaid global satellite service plan, is there any other technical requirement needed for the phones to be operational in Mexico? 
  • Will technical support for the service plan be available in Mexico, in Spanish, to assist end users with service issues or troubleshooting?
  • Can your company offer a 12-month warranty that is valid and serviceable in Mexico, without requiring the equipment to be exported out of Mexico for repair or replacement? Does your company have local representation or a partner in Mexico capable of fulfilling warranty claims?
  • Do you have an existing office, warehouse, or local partner in Mexico to support warranty and service plan obligations? If so, please describe the relationship and services provided.
  • Can your company perform operational capability testing of all satellite phones, SIM cards, and service plans? Please explain how.
  • Importation Experience (if Scenario (b) applies): If your company would be responsible for importing equipment into Mexico, does it have experience shipping equipment into Mexico? Is your company familiar with Mexican customs and import regulations? Please provide specific examples of past compliance.
  • What risks, if any, do you foresee under either delivery scenario — including meeting delivery timelines, activating/maintaining the prepaid plan in Mexico, or supporting the in-country warranty? How would your company mitigate them?
  • Besides the delivery risks, does your company identify any areas in the SOW that represent excessive risks or other concerns for the implementation of this project? If so, please provide detailed information and suggested mitigation.

Response Submission Deadline

Please provide your responses to this Request for Information (RFI) by October 9, 2026. Sources Sought Submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be sent to Alexander Bring (BringAG@state.gov), with 19AQMM26NSATPHONE - Satellite Phones for Vetted Units in the subject Line.