Notice of Intent to Sole-Source: 75-Month Extension of Comcast Lease for Enterprise Network Services (Fiber Optic Lease with Maintenance)

NASA/Johnson Space Center (JSC) has a requirement for a 75-month lease extension on our Comcast Enterprise Network Services, under NASA contract, NAS 9-98114: beginning, July 1, 2024, through September 30, 2030. NASA/JSC intends to issue a sole-source extension modification to Comcast, under the NASA contract, for this critical fiber optic point to point link between NASA/ JSC’s main campus, and Sonny Carter Training Facility (SCTF).

The extension will be made under the authority of FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1), Only One Source Reasonably Available. The extension is required to align with the latest planned decommission of the ISS by September 30, 2030 (originally 2024). Only Comcast, the incumbent, has the capacity to provide this leased service, as the original installer (1998) and owner of the equipment at NASA/JSC, Houston, Texas.

Following a full and open competition, the contract was awarded on November 12, 1998, to Comcast (formerly TCI Network) to construct, maintain, and lease to the Government secure connectivity for ISS data transmission and software testing, at NASA/JSC, Houston, Texas, between JSC and the newly launched ISS into low Earth orbit. The point-to-point secure solution includes a 24-hour repair requirement to minimize disruption to ongoing testing and data transfers in the event of an on-orbit anomaly investigation.

Upon decommissioning of the fiber link the contract includes a requirement for the vendor to remove and/or demolish the cable run that is on JSC property within the tunnel system.

Any fiber solution by other than Comcast’s for the extension period will require installation of a new dedicated point-to-point single-mode dark fiber only solution between the two JSC facilities, which would be disruptive and incompatible with the current system, as the network cannot be routed through any other switching station for system compatibility and security risk reasons to the facilities.

A standard enterprise network solution will not work for this application as industry standard voice and computer data are not being transmitted via the current JSC Comcast fiber link and cannot be modified at this time to do so. No other vendor at this point, has the capacity to provide JSC continuity of the current level of Comcast services without disruption. The services support NASA/JSC’s Avionics System Division, under the Engineering Directorate.

The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 12:00 p.m. local time on May 8, 2024. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition is Eric.J.Schell@nasa.gov