Limited Sources Justification and Approval FAR Part 8.4
ID: 19AQMM23Q0028-2Type: Justification
AwardedDec 29, 2022
Award #:47QTCA22D008N
Overview

Buyer

STATE, DEPARTMENT OFSTATE, DEPARTMENT OFACQUISITIONS - AQM MOMENTUMWASHINGTON, DC, 20520, USA

PSC

IT and Telecom - Network: Satellite Communications and Telecom Access Services (DG11)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/ddd27ac0c0074e48bfff9c05da10223c/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of State is seeking to award a six-month sole source contract for cellular phone services to AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, and Verizon, ensuring continued communication capabilities for all Department employees and authorized users. This temporary procurement is critical to maintain essential services, including voice, data, international roaming, mobile hotspots, and emergency notifications, while the Department finalizes longer-term contract vehicles. The urgency of this contract arises from delays caused by an internal reorganization, which jeopardized the development of a suitable requirements document, potentially leading to a complete loss of cellular capabilities. Interested parties can reach out to Andrew Rothstein at RothsteinAT@state.gov or David Ziemba at ziembade@state.gov for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Andrew Rothstein
    RothsteinAT@state.gov
    David Ziemba
    12022510078
    ziembade@state.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    JA Limited Sources for Federal Supply Schedule Program-Wireless Service-Sole Source Awards-Redacted.pdf
    The Office of Acquisition Management (AQM) is seeking approval for a six-month sole source award of wireless services to AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, and Verizon under GSA’s SIN 517312. This temporary measure is necessary to maintain critical cellular communications for all Department of State employees and authorized users, including voice, data, international roaming, mobile hotspots, and emergency services. The delay in competitive follow-on awards was due to an IRM reorganization and leadership changes, which impacted the development of a suitable requirements document. Without these short-term task orders, the Department faces a complete loss of cellular capabilities, severely hindering communication, remote work, and jeopardizing employee safety through inoperative emergency notification services. The contracting officer deems the pricing fair and reasonable, aligning with GSA contract rates. Market research, including Requests for Information on Unison and GSA E-buy, is underway to inform future competitive solicitations for longer-term task orders or BPAs, allowing users to switch providers based on better rates and requirements.
    Similar Opportunities
    Limited Sources Justification and Approval FAR Part 8.4
    State, Department Of
    The Department of State is seeking to procure short-term cellular phone services for all Department of State (DOS) employees and authorized users, with a contract duration of six months. This procurement aims to address an urgent need for voice and data plans, international roaming, mobile hotspots, and emergency services while longer-term contract vehicles are being established. The services will be provided through sole source task orders to AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, and Verizon, as determined necessary due to delays in follow-on awards and an internal reorganization. Interested parties can reach out to Andrew Rothstein at RothsteinAT@state.gov or David Ziemba at ziembade@state.gov for further information.
    Limited Sources Justification and Approval FAR Part 8.4
    State, Department Of
    The Department of State is seeking to procure cellular phone services for its employees and authorized users on a short-term basis of six months. This procurement aims to ensure the continuity of mission-critical cellular communications, including emergency notification services, while longer-term contract vehicles are being established. The services will be provided through sole source task orders to AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, and Verizon under GSA’s SIN 517312 – Wireless Mobility Solutions, with a focus on maintaining fair and reasonable pricing based on GSA-set rates. Interested parties can reach out to Andrew Rothstein at RothsteinAT@state.gov or David Ziemba at ziembade@state.gov for further information.
    Cell Phone Services
    Chemical Safety And Hazard Investigation Board
    The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is seeking to continue its cellular services through a logical follow-on justification with Verizon. This procurement aims to maintain essential cellular services, supplies, and equipment as the agency undergoes significant personnel expansion, nearly doubling its workforce. The continuation of these services is critical during this transitional phase, with plans to reevaluate and potentially compete the service after the transition is complete. For further inquiries, interested parties can contact Ericka Wilson at ericka.wilson@csb.gov.
    Wireless Services
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, is seeking to procure wireless services through task orders M0026323F0013, M0026323F0014, and M0026323F0015, which will be awarded to the current vendor, Verizon. This procurement is necessitated by the unavailability of the new Spiral 3 contract, which does not allow sufficient time for a competitive solicitation and evaluation process, thus limiting the contract duration to one year. Wireless services are critical for maintaining effective communication and operational capabilities within military operations. Interested parties can reach out to Randy L. Wentworth at randy.wentworth@usmc.mil or 843-228-2703, or Rodney Small at rodney.c.small@usmc.mil or 843-228-2151 for further information.
    Cell Phone communication services for US Embassy Tbilisi
    State, Department Of
    The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia, is seeking qualified vendors to provide Cell Phone Communication Services under Solicitation Number 19GG8026Q0004. The contract will encompass a range of services including SIM cards, local and international calls, high-speed internet, and 24-hour customer support, with a requirement for a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 800 plan subscriptions. This procurement is critical for ensuring reliable communication for embassy operations, with specific performance criteria such as 90% network coverage in Georgia and a 99.9% network uptime. Quotations are due by January 20, 2025, and interested parties must submit their proposals electronically to TbilisiGSOProcurement@state.gov, ensuring compliance with all specified requirements, including SAM registration and completion of the Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Questionnaire.
    US EMBASS LUANDA CELL PHONE SERVICES
    State, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of State is seeking proposals for mobile telephone and data services for the U.S. Embassy in Luanda, Angola, and Sao Tome and Principe. The selected service provider must offer 4G network coverage and a range of telecommunications services, including mobile data, voice, SMS, and international calling, available on both prepaid and postpaid plans. This contract, anticipated to be a firm fixed price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity type, will cover a base year with four optional one-year extensions, and all interested vendors must be registered in the SAM database prior to submission. For inquiries, potential offerors can contact Scott Stahl at STAHLSA@STATE.GOV or Walter Pinto at PINTOW@STATE.GOV.
    Mobile Communication Services for the U.S. Mission to Canada
    State, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of State is seeking qualified vendors to provide Mobile Communication Services for employees of the U.S. Diplomatic Mission located in Canada. The contract will cover mobile services for an estimated number of users, with the solicitation expected to be issued on the www.SAM.gov website when ready. This procurement is crucial for ensuring effective communication for U.S. personnel across various locations in Canada, including the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and several consulates. Interested parties should prepare to submit their quotations electronically or via mail once the solicitation is released, and must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time of submission and contract award. For further inquiries, potential offerors can contact the Contracting Officer at ContractsOttawa@state.gov or by phone at 613-688-5250.
    Exception to Fair Opportunity for Wireless Services
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF), has awarded a sole source contract for mobile cellular services and devices from Verizon Wireless. This contract, identified as task order N4523A23F1313, is a follow-on to an existing IDIQ contract and was awarded under FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C) to ensure economy and efficiency in service provision. The services are critical for maintaining effective communication capabilities within the naval operations at Bremerton, WA. For further details, interested parties can contact Nicole Fiorentino at nicole.fiorentino@navy.mil.
    Avaya Domestic Maintenance Interim Contract
    State, Department Of
    The Department of State is seeking to award an interim contract for Avaya Maintenance services at domestic locations, specifically in Tonawanda, NY. This contract, which is set for a duration of one year, is intended to continue support for the incumbent contractor, ensuring uninterrupted maintenance of Avaya systems. The services are crucial for maintaining the operational integrity of IT and telecom network support systems within the department. Interested parties can reach out to Andrew Rothstein at RothsteinAT@state.gov for further information regarding this opportunity.
    Mobile Telephone Services for US Embassy Ljubljana, Slovenia
    State, Department Of
    The U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is seeking qualified vendors to provide mobile telephone services under Request for Quotations (RFQ) number 19S16026Q0003. The contract, set to commence on March 1, 2026, will cover comprehensive mobile services for 117 lines, including voice and data packages, international calling/roaming, SMS/MMS, voicemail, and 24-hour customer service, with an emphasis on high network quality and detailed monthly billing. This procurement is critical for ensuring effective communication for embassy operations, and proposals must be submitted electronically by January 12, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time, with specific formatting requirements and necessary documentation, including a Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Questionnaire and a Contractor Certification for NDAA Covered Telecommunications Equipment. Interested parties can reach out to Marijan Kruhar at KRUHARM@STATE.GOV or the Ljubljana Procurement Team at LjubljanaProcurement@state.gov for further inquiries.