DG11--DG11 - Local Exchange Carrier Services across the Enterprise

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This PWS outlines the requirements for Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) voice and data communications services for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Information Technology (OIT), Development Security Operations, Solution Delivery, Telecommunications Provisioning Office (TPO). The goal is to centralize the management of telephone services and reduce overall telecommunications expenses across VA facilities nationwide.

• Provide LEC voice and data communications services, including POTS Line Flat Rate and Caller ID features.

• Services must be provided at multiple VA locations across the United States.

• The VA must be listed and retained as the customer of record.

• Contractor must own the services/infrastructure.

• Long-distance carrier must be Qwest Networx Primary inter-LATA Carrier (PIC/LPIC 0432) and frozen.

• Invoices must be submitted electronically via the VA OB-10 system or approved EDI software.

• Transition Period: 3 months from award.

• Base Period: 9 months.

• Option Periods: Four (4) 12-month option periods.

• Specific dates: Transition (05/01/2026 - 07/31/2026), Base (08/01/2026 - 04/30/2027), Option 1 (05/01/2027 - 04/30/2028), Option 2 (05/01/2028 - 04/30/2029), Option 3 (05/01/2029 - 04/30/2030), Option 4 (05/01/2030 - 04/30/2031).

• Recurring Voice and Data Services: Including POTS lines, Caller ID, Call Forward, Call Hunting/Roll Over, and HSI/DSL Standalone 12-40Mbps.

• Telecommunication Availability: 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year.

• Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP): Compliance with TSP program for National Security and Emergency Preparedness.

• E-911 PS/ALI Availability: Compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Establishment of Services: Includes all non-recurring charges; requires permission for facility access.

• Service Level Agreement (SLA): Defined performance standards for customer support, Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), and service availability.

• Maintenance Performance: Contractor must obtain approval for work causing outages and notify COR/TM.

• Account Records and Reporting: Provide access to customer support records, aggregated by service delivery point, with ability for EDI.

• Program Progress Reviews (PPR): Quarterly reviews covering service status, issues, and resolutions.

• Deliverables: Electronic format, including Quarterly Contract Status Reports.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP).

• Place of Performance: See Attachment 1 - P02 Market Research Workbook for Service Delivery Points.

• Travel: Not required.

• Personnel Security: Compliance with VA security requirements; contractor staff to be escorted at all times by VA personnel; no background investigation required for contractor staff as they will not be badged.

• Cyber and Information Security: Strict adherence to VA security standards, including encryption, anti-virus, firewall, and data sanitization. Refer to Addendum A and B for detailed requirements.

• Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure: Strict adherence to rules regarding sensitive information, PHI, and EPHI. Unauthorized disclosure is a criminal offense.

• Accessibility: Compliance with Section 508 standards for electronic and information technology.

• Physical Security: Follow VA policies on property, identification, parking, smoking, and weapons.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "P02 Market Research Workbook for SDPs.xlsx", is an Excel file containing detailed information about Service Delivery Points (SDPs) and the telecommunication services required at each location. It serves as a tool for market research and for offerors to indicate their capability to provide specific services.

• Sheet: Information: Provides instructions for offerors, emphasizing the need to complete Column K of the "Coverage" sheet by indicating "yes" or "no" for each service line item at each SDP. It also details how the workbook automatically calculates "Total Yes", "Total No", and "Total Blank" entries.
• Sheet: Coverage: Lists individual SDPs (clinics, medical centers, cemeteries, etc.) with their addresses, and details specific service line items (e.g., POTS Line Flat Rate, Caller ID feature, HSI/DSL) with required quantities. Offerors must mark their ability to provide each service.
• Sheet: Total Items: Summarizes the total quantities required for each service type across all SDPs. Notably, it indicates a high demand for "POTS Line Flat Rate" (1139 units) and "Caller ID feature (POTS Line)" (26 units).
• Sheet: SDP: Lists the facilities and their addresses, corresponding to the SDPs mentioned in the "Coverage" sheet.

This workbook is crucial for bidders to understand the specific locations and quantities of telecommunication services needed. By completing the "Coverage" sheet, bidders will directly inform the government of their service capabilities and capacity for each requirement, which is essential for proposal development and evaluation. The document highlights the primary services required, such as POTS lines and associated features, and the extensive geographic distribution of these needs.

Request for Information (RFI)

This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Information and Technology (OIT), for Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) Services across the enterprise at VA locations in multiple states. The VA is seeking information on capabilities for Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines, Caller ID, Call Forward, Call Hunting/Roll Over, and HSI/DSL Standalone 12-40 Mbps. Services are required 24/7 with maximum availability.

• Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines

• Caller ID feature (POTS Line)

• Call Forward feature (POTS Line)

• Call Hunting/Roll Over feature (POTS Line)

• HSI/DSL Standalone 12-40 Mbps

• This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a solicitation, and no contract will be awarded directly from this RFI. Any future contract will result from a competitive process.

• Interested parties capable of providing the services should submit a Vendor Capabilities Statement.

• The statement should be limited to five (5) pages, including a cover page.

• The cover page must include the company's full name, point of contact(s), and size standard for NAICS 517111.

• Submissions are due no later than 12:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on February 19, 2026.

• Submit responses via email to Chantel.Bass@va.gov.

• NAICS Code: 517111 (Wired Telecommunications Carriers).

• This RFI is not a solicitation, and responses are not offers. Do not submit proposals or quotes.

• The government is not obligated to acquire any products or services described.

• No payment will be provided for costs incurred in responding to this RFI.

• Referenced attachments: Attachment 1 - P02 Market Research Workbook for SDPs, Attachment 2 - P02 PWS LEC Services.