Analog Telephone Services – Supai Health Station

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Analog Telephone Services – Supai Health Station

Indian Health Service
Colorado River Service Unit

NAICS: 517111 – Wired Telecommunications Carriers
SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS

The Government is primarily seeking responses from Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) for purposes of determining the availability of qualified sources under the Buy Indian Act.

Responses are also encouraged from all other socioeconomic small business concerns, including:

• Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs)
• Small Business
• 8(a)
• HUBZone
• SDVOSB
• VOSB
• WOSB

Responses from firms that are not ISBEEs are encouraged for market research purposes and to improve the Government's understanding of available commercial capabilities. Submission of a response by a non-ISBEE firm does not affect the Government's authority to restrict competition under the Buy Indian Act if sufficient qualified ISBEE sources are identified.

NOTICE

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION, REQUEST FOR QUOTATION, OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED AS A RESULT OF THIS NOTICE.

The Indian Health Service (IHS), Colorado River Service Unit (CRSU), is conducting market research to identify Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) capable of providing commercial analog telephone services to the Supai Health Station located in Supai, Arizona.

Information obtained in response to this notice will be used for acquisition planning and to determine the availability of capable ISBEE sources under the Buy Indian Act.

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENT

IHS requires continued commercial analog telephone services for seven (7) existing telephone lines serving the Supai Health Station. These telephone services support patient care, emergency communications, administrative operations, and coordination with other healthcare facilities.

The anticipated requirement includes:

• Seven (7) analog Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines;
• Local exchange telephone service;
• Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) connectivity;
• Incoming and outgoing calling capability;
• Compatibility with existing analog telephone and fax equipment;
• Maintenance and repair of the required services;
• Customer support;
• Continuous telephone service; and
• Continuity of the Health Station's existing telephone numbers.

The existing telephone numbers are:

• 928-448-2641
• 928-448-2072
• 928-448-2228
• 928-448-2312
• 928-448-2313
• 928-448-2642
• 928-448-2643

The Government requires continuity of these telephone services to avoid disruption to patient care, emergency communications, and Health Station operations.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Supai Health Station
Supai, Arizona 86435

Supai is located within the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Reservation and presents unique geographic and logistical conditions affecting telecommunications services.

ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The anticipated period of performance is:

Base Period: One (1) year
Option Periods: Four (4) one-year option periods

EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION CONSIDERATION

The Government is seeking sources capable of providing continuity of the required telephone services through existing telecommunications infrastructure, facilities, interconnection arrangements, wholesale/carrier arrangements, or other currently available commercial means serving the Supai community.

The Government is acquiring telephone services and is not seeking construction of a new telecommunications network or infrastructure as part of this requirement. The Government's requirement does not contemplate construction of new telecommunications infrastructure, excavation, trenching, or other major construction activities within the Grand Canyon or Havasupai Reservation.

Government personnel with firsthand knowledge of local operating conditions understand that installation of new telecommunications infrastructure on the Havasupai Reservation requires coordination with and authorization from the Havasupai Tribe. Accordingly, respondents whose proposed approach requires new infrastructure, excavation, trenching, rights-of-way, access to Tribal lands, or similar construction activities shall identify the nature of the required work and any Tribal coordination, authorization, permitting, or access requirements necessary to perform the proposed approach.

Respondents capable of providing the required services through existing infrastructure, interconnection agreements, wholesale/carrier arrangements, or other means that do not require new infrastructure construction should clearly describe those arrangements in their capability statement.

ISBEE CAPABILITY INFORMATION REQUESTED

IHS is specifically seeking responses from ISBEEs capable of satisfying the requirement described above.

Interested ISBEEs should submit a concise capability statement addressing the following:

1. ISBEE Status. Identify the firm's status as an Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise and its eligibility to participate in acquisitions conducted pursuant to the Buy Indian Act.
2. Business Information. Provide the firm's legal business name, physical address, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), point of contact, telephone number, and email address.
3. Relevant Experience. Describe the firm's experience providing wired analog telephone service, local exchange telecommunications service, or substantially similar commercial telecommunications services.
4. Capability to Serve Supai. Explain specifically how the firm would provide analog local exchange telephone service to the Supai Health Station.
5. Existing Infrastructure or Commercial Arrangements. Identify the existing telecommunications infrastructure, facilities, interconnection agreements, wholesale/carrier arrangements, or other currently available means through which the firm can provide the required services to Supai Health Station.
6. Existing Telephone Numbers. Describe the firm's capability to maintain continuity of the Government's seven existing telephone numbers identified in this notice.
7. Service Continuity. Describe how the firm would transition and provide the required services without interruption to existing Health Station telephone communications.
8. Construction and Tribal Authorization Requirements. State whether the proposed method of providing service would require construction of new telecommunications infrastructure, excavation, trenching, rights-of-way, access to Tribal lands, or other infrastructure development within the Havasupai Reservation. If so, identify the work required and describe any Tribal coordination, authorization, permitting, access, or other approvals that would be necessary to perform the proposed approach.
9. Maintenance and Support. Describe the firm's capability to troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and restore the required telecommunications services throughout the period of performance.

Responses should specifically address the requirements above. General marketing literature that does not demonstrate the firm's capability to provide telephone service to Supai Health Station is not necessary.

PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE

This Sources Sought Notice is being issued solely for market research and acquisition planning purposes, including evaluation of the availability of capable ISBEEs under the Buy Indian Act.

The Government will use responses to determine whether one or more ISBEEs are capable of satisfying the Government's minimum requirements and whether a future acquisition should be conducted pursuant to the Buy Indian Act.

This notice does not constitute a solicitation or commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award, or otherwise pay for information received.

The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing or submitting a response.

RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

Interested ISBEEs shall submit their capability statements electronically to:

Dekovan Cook
Contract Specialist
Indian Health Service
Phoenix Area Office of Acquisition Management
Email: dekovan.cook@ihs.gov

Subject Line: ISBEE Sources Sought IHS1528394 – Supai Telephone Services

Response Due Date and Time: Date and time specified in SAM

Responses received after the closing date may be considered at the Government's discretion for market research purposes.