Telecommunications Service

Quick Summary

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Indian Health Service (IHS), is conducting a Sources Sought for Telecommunications Services for the Desert Visions Youth Wellness Center (DVYWC) in Sacaton, AZ. This is a set-aside for Indian Economic Enterprises (IEE) and Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEE). The purpose is to establish reliable, high-capacity telecommunications and voice services for healthcare operations. Responses are due May 18, 2026.

Purpose & Background

IHS, responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives, is seeking information to prepare for the continued requirement of telecommunications services at the DVYWC. The DVYWC requires a robust connection to support its healthcare operations. This market research aims to identify qualified IEE/ISBEE vendors.

Scope of Work

The contractor shall provide comprehensive telecommunication services, including:

• Dedicated Internet Connectivity: A 100 Mbps x 100 Mbps dedicated Ethernet connection, encompassing channel termination, virtual connection, basic port fee, and bandwidth provisioning.
• Voice Services: One PRI T-1 Circuit for enterprise voice services, six Basic Business POTS Voice Lines (including one voice/fax line), and a DID Block of 62 numbers.
• Static IP Block: A static IP block suitable for secure connections to IHS/OIT networks and enterprise applications.
• Installation & Activation: Responsibility for installation, configuration, and activation of all services, including Ethernet termination equipment, PRI circuit, and static IP configuration, with validation testing.
• Service Levels: Must provide 99% or higher uptime, 24/7 technical support, appropriate latency thresholds for healthcare, and defined escalation procedures.

Excluded from the scope are construction costs (unless itemized), internal facility cabling, LAN equipment, switches, and PBX systems.

Contract Details

• Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
• Set-Aside: Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) and Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE). Businesses must be at least 51% Indian owned and controlled.
• Anticipated Period of Performance: A base period from June 2, 2026, to June 1, 2027, with four 1-year option periods, potentially extending to June 1, 2031.
• Place of Performance: Desert Visions Youth Wellness Center, 214 S. Skill Center Road, Sacaton, AZ 85147.
• Anticipated NAICS: 517810 – All Other Telecommunications.
• Product Service Code: 7G20.

Eligibility & Compliance

Respondents must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and complete the "Indian Health Service Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form." The ISP must comply with FCC and telecommunications regulations, IHS cybersecurity requirements for static IP services, and HIPAA-related expectations for transmission security. Additionally, compliance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a), HIPAA (45 CFR Part 164), and 42 CFR Part 2 is required.

Submission Requirements

Interested parties shall submit a capability statement via email to Maliaka Pinkney (maliaka.pinkney@hhs.gov). The submission must include the Sources Sought Number SS-IHS1523710 in the subject line and the completed IEE Representation Form. Capability statements should be limited to ten pages (8 ½ x 11, single-spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font, ¾ inch margins) and include company name, UEI, points of contact, available procurement vehicles, business size relative to NAICS 517810, company type, and any teaming arrangements.

Key Dates

• Questions Due: May 13, 2026, 9:00 AM EST
• Responses Due: May 18, 2026, 12:00 PM EST

Disclaimer

This is for information and planning purposes only and is not a solicitation. HHS/OMAS does not intend to award a contract based on responses or pay for preparation of information submitted. A Request for Quote (RFQ) may be issued later.