Telecommunications Services

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Indian Health Service (IHS) plans to procure, on a sole source basis, telecommunications services from AudioCare located at 744 West Lancaster Avenue, Suite 250, Wayne PA, 19087. 

The response close date of the notice for this requirement is June 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST in accordance with FAR 5.203(b). This acquisition will be processed under FAR Part 12 – Acquisition for Commercial Items and will be made pursuant to the authority in FAR Part 13.106-1 (b)(1) and is exempt from the requirements of FAR Part 6. The North American Industry Classification System code (NAICS) is 517810 - All Other Telecommunications, and the small business size standard is $40,000,000.

The telecommunications service is required for the Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center. Their mission is to provide the best possible healthcare services to the Native American population of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation.  To meet this mission the Woodrow Wilson Keeble Memorial Health Care Center has identified a need for a Non-Personal Service Contract for a maintenance agreement for the AudioCare telecommunications system.

Audiocare Monthly Maintenance and Support for Audiocare Base Software Platform, License Renewals/MSS, AudioREMINDER (phone call and text), AudioCOMMUNICATOR (phone call and text), AudioREFILL, and AudioCONTACT. This service will provide technical support, hardware maintenance, and software maintenance.           

A review of telecommunications providers servicing the geographic area of the IHS facility determined that AudioCare. is the only provider capable of delivering high-capacity, business-grade telecommunications connection and associated voice services to the facility without significant new construction, extended lead times, or unacceptable risk. No other telecommunications carrier has physical infrastructure or right-of-way access to provide wired telecommunications services to the facility. Installation of alternate infrastructure by another provider would require substantial construction timelines that would delay mission-critical services, regulatory approvals, and extended lead time, resulting in unacceptable disruption to essential healthcare operations.

Based on Market Research, HHS has determined  that AudioCare is the only known source that can provide the required facility’s mission and reliance on continuous telecommunications services for patient care and emergency response. AudioCare is the only source reasonably available to meet the Government’s requirements.

This notice is not a request for Telecommunication solicitations. However, if any interested party, especially a Native American Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) or a Native American Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE), believes it can meet the Government’s needs, it may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quote for the Government to consider. The response and any other information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient details to allow HHS to determine if the party can perform the requirement. 

Responses to this notice shall be submitted via email to Contract Specialist, Maliaka Pinkney, at maliaka.pinkney@hhs.gov no later than 12:00 P.M. EST on Tuesday, June 20, 2026. 

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government reserves the right to use the information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. To receive an award, Contractors must be registered and have valid certification through SAM.GOV. Please reference the notice number NOI-26-IHS1523894 on all correspondence.

***Please reference attached Statement of Work for more details pertaining to the nature of the work to be performed.***