Verizon Gap J&A

The U.S. Coast Guard has authorized a sole-source task order to Verizon Business LLC to maintain existing data, voice, wireless, and satellite circuits under its proprietary network infrastructure until the follow-on contractor, AT&T, assumes responsibility. This action, justified under FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), is necessary to prevent operational disruption to critical missions such as CGOne, Rescue 21, Vessel Traffic Service, and the Communication System Network, which are uniquely dependent on Verizon’s proprietary MPLS architecture and configurations. The task order is structured as a firm-fixed-price agreement under the existing Verizon Enterprise Solutions IDIQ contract GS00Q17NSD3009, with a base performance period from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027, and two option periods extending through March 31, 2028, to ensure a controlled transition. The place of performance is designated as Alexandria, Virginia, though services span hundreds of USCG locations including cutters, aircraft, and shore facilities. No competitive bidding was conducted due to the unique, non-replicable nature of Verizon’s network, which only it can sustain without risking service degradation or downtime during the handover to AT&T. The contract requires zero interruption in connectivity, with all equipment, configurations, and managed services maintained in their current state until formal ownership transfer. While the estimated contract value is not disclosed, funding is sourced from FY26 appropriations, and no specific payment office, invoicing system, or accounting codes are provided. The contracting office, part of the C5I Division 1 under the Department of Homeland Security, is located at 7323 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, VA. Although no formal FAR clauses, evaluation factors, inspection criteria, or offeror certifications are included, the effort relies on specialized personnel with deep knowledge of Verizon’s infrastructure and implicitly requires appropriate security clearances due to the classified nature of the systems supported. The transition is designed to mitigate organizational conflict of interest risks inherent in retaining the incumbent contractor and ensures continuity of mission-critical communications during the handover process.