Telephone Time of Day Phone Service

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division, intends to negotiate with QWEST Government Services, Inc. (dba: Century Link), on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)-soliciting from a single source, to provide a 3 MB CCEIA circuit that is distributed via Century Link provided multiplexer to 24 telephone lines made available on a 66 block for time of day service by making audio from the WWV radio broadcast available via telephone to hear the time of day announcement at NIST in Fort Collins, CO.The unique technical specifications are located on the attached Statement of Work (SOW).The NAICS Code is 517311 - Wired Telecommunications Carriers, with a Size Standard of 1,500 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to QWEST Government Services, Inc. (dba: Century Link) for this requirement per the following justification:The WWV NIST telephone time of day service is unique

in that the location of the audio source is surrounded by high radio frequency fields. Because of this and quality issues with the copper conductivity to the site, requirements dictate the circuit will be provided on single mode fiber optic cable all the way to the gateway unit. (Fiber optic cable is immune to radio frequency and other electrical interference.) Century Link is the only provider with single mode fiber infrastructure all the way to the audio source (5703 N. Highway 1). It would be detrimental in terms of cost and time for another provider to install the needed fiber and all that’s involved.Based on market research, NIST has not identified any other sources that can provide the requirement. If NIST identifies no other capable sources by December 12, 2019, NIST will issue a firm-fixed price purchase order to QWEST Government Services, Inc (dba: Century Link) with a period of performance to start January 1, 2020.A determination by the Government whether to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely to determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.This notice of intent is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ). No solicitation package will be issued. Inquiries will only be accepted via e-mail to patricia.rose@nist.gov. No telephone requests will be honored.Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to patricia.rose@nist.gov. Requests shall include complete company name, address, and telephone number. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received at patricia.rose@nist.gov no later than date and time specified in this notice.