This synopsis is issued in accordance with FAR Part 5.203 in response to the mandatory requirement for a 15 day pre-solicitation notification. The purpose of this synopsis is to announce the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) intent to issue a solicitation for a Full and Open Competition to procure the services of a contractor to support Thousands-Block Pooling Administration. As a result of this solicitation, the FCC intends to award one Firm Fixed Price contract. The anticipated period of performance will not exceed 63 months and will consist of an implementation period of 90 days and a 12 month base period, with four (4) one (1) year option periods. The solicitation will be issued on or after February 28, 2013. The overall objective and scope of this acquisition is: The NANP (North American Numbering Plan) is the basic numbering scheme for the public switched telecommunications networks (PSTNs) in the following 19 countries (formerly known as World Zone 1): Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, and the United States (including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). The format of the NANP is consistent with International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Recommendations E. 164 "The International Public Telecommunication Numbering Plan." Pooling of geographic telephone numbers in a number portability environment is a number administration and assignment process that allocates numbering resources to a shared industry inventory associated with a designated geographic rate center. In the United States, thousands-block number pooling involves the allocation of blocks of sequential NANP telephone numbers within the same NPA/Central Office (CO) Code (CO Code or NXX) to different service providers, who serve customers within the same NPA rate center. All ten thousand numbers within each NPA/NXX continue to be assigned to one (1) rate center, but are allocated among multiple service providers at the thousands-block (NXX-X) level. The numbering resource is allocated from a shared industry inventory and is administered in blocks of one thousand numbers (NXX-X) for assignment to service providers participating in that rate center. The assignment of numbers to service providers in blocks of one thousand (i.e., NXX-X) is expected to improve the utilization of number resources. Further, a pool of numbers, if available to all providers serving a defined area, need only be large enough to accommodate the collective needs of those providers. The Routing Number Administrator (RNA) is responsible for administering non-dialable p-ANIs. This function was added to the PA contract as a result of Change Order 19 through Contract Modification 16 on June 17, 2011. These resources are administered by the RNA using the industry-defined forms contained in the P-ANI Administration Guidelines created by the Industry Numbering Committee (INC). In addition to establishing the format of the forms, the industry has also prescribed a sequence of events for each request, and strict time limits during which these events must occur. The RNA uses the RNA system (RNAS) to process p-ANI requests. The RNA system supports a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) to assist the RNA in administering p-ANIs; it is also used by service providers to request p-ANIs. The RNAS website is www.nationalpani.com. Users of the RNA system may include: FCC, state commissions, 9-1-1 governing authorities, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), 9-1-1 system service providers, service providers, service provider consultants, auditors, and the RNA The Contractor shall assume the roles and responsibilities of the Pooling Administrator (PA). The Contractor shall operate as the PA for a term of up to five (5) years, consisting of one 12-month base period and four 12-month option periods to be exercised at the sole discretion of the Government. The solicitation will be released electronically via this Government Point of Entry (GPE) otherwise known as Federal Business Opportunities or www.fbo.gov. As such, no written, telephonic or other type of request for an advance copy of the solicitation will be entertained at this time. Potential offerors/vendors are encouraged to register on www.fbo.gov to receive any further information in reference to the subject action inclusive of any announcements, and/or amendments to the solicitation after its release. This requirement is for full and open competition procurement pursuant to NAICS code 541611 with a size standard of $7 million. Any questions regarding this synopsis should be directed to Gary Klaff, Contracting Officer, via email at gary.klaff@fcc.gov.
