Request for Information - Local & Long-Distance Telecommunications Service - JBER, Alaska

Description

Subject: Request for Information (RFI) � Commercial Local and Long-Distance Telecommunications Services Agency/Office: Department of War / 673 CONS/PKC Notice Type: Request for Information Response Date: 7 July 2026 at 2:00PM Alaska Daylight Time Disclaimer This RFI is issued solely for market research. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking quotes and will not accept unsolicited quotes. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party�s expense. 1.0 Purpose This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10, Market Research. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The Government is seeking industry feedback on commercial pricing practices for local and international long-distance telecommunications services to inform a future acquisition strategy. 2.0 Background The Government requires reliable local and long-distance telecommunications services to support mission-critical operations. The Government�s strong preference is to utilize a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) structure to the maximum extent practicable. The Government possesses historical data establishing the average monthly volume (in minutes) of long-distance calls. However, destination countries vary significantly, and each country carries a distinct long-distance rate, presenting a challenge for traditional FFP structuring. 3.0 Requested Information / Questions to Industry The Government requests that interested vendors review the scenario above and provide responses to the following inquiries regarding commercial best practices: Question 1: The Government intends to utilize an FFP contract type. How does your company typically structure CLINs to bill for a combination of standard local services and variable long-distance (domestic and international) services in commercial contracts? Answer: Question 2: The Government knows the historical average of monthly long-distance minutes but understands rates fluctuate based on the specific destination country. If this is the case, how would industry recommend structuring an FFP CLIN to account for this variation? Please discuss methods such as a single blended rate, geographic tiering (e.g., grouping countries by rate bands), baseline volume pricing with pre-priced overages, or other standard commercial practices. Answer: Question 3: If a pure FFP structure for international long-distance is not standard commercial practice due to rate volatility, what alternative pricing structures or hybrid approaches (e.g., FFP for local or domestic combined with a draw-down or catalog approach for international) do you recommend while still providing cost predictability for the Government? Answer: Question 4: To provide an accurate FFP quote or establish a reliable blended or tiered rate for international long-distance, what specific historical data elements (e.g., exact minutes per specific country, historical routing, time-of-day data, average call duration) would your company require the Government to provide in a future solicitation Answer: Question 5: If a phased transition is expected, how does your firm typically bill for transition and parallel service periods and how do you mitigate dual-billing (paying the incumbent and the new provider simultaneously) during this phased cutover? Answer: Question 6: What are your standard lead times for Local Number Portability (LNP) and Direct Inward Dialing (DID) block porting and how do you handle temporary call routing during the cutover window to prevent dropped calls or service interruption? Answer: Question 7: What physical or logical infrastructure do you expect the Government to provide at the demarcation point prior to service initiation? Answer: Question 8: What standard commercial Service Level Agreements (SLAs) do you offer for local and long-distance availability or uptime, and how are SLA failures mapped to financial credits or bill adjustments under the standard commercial agreements? Answer: 4.0 Submission Instructions Interested parties are requested to submit a capability statement and responses to the questions above. Submit in PDF or Microsoft Word format with a maximum 10 pages, minimum 11 point font to Mr. Clay Schott at clay.schott@us.af.mil and Ms. Hannah Tolbert at hannah.tolbert.1@us.af.mil. Include company name, CAGE code, UEI, point of contact, and business size standard under NAICS 517111. Submissions are due no later than 7 July 2026 at 2:00PM Alaska Daylight Time.