Telecommunications Services
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The 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 market research to identify Indian Economic Enterprises (IEEs) and Indian Small Business Economic Enterprises (ISBEEs) capable of providing reliable, high-capacity telecommunications and voice services. Responses are due May 18, 2026.
Purpose & Background
This Sources Sought aims to gather information for a potential future requirement to establish a reliable, high-capacity, business-grade telecommunications connection and associated voice services to support healthcare operations at DVYWC. The IHS provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives, with the Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS) administering care to the Navajo Nation. This notice is for planning purposes only and is not a solicitation.
Scope of Work
The requirement includes acquiring, installing, and activating comprehensive telecommunications and internet services. Key components are:
- Dedicated Internet Connectivity: A 100 Mbps x 100 Mbps dedicated Ethernet connection, including channel termination, virtual connection, basic port fee, and bandwidth provisioning.
- Voice Services: Provision of one PRI T-1 circuit for enterprise voice, six Basic Business Voice (POTS) lines, and a DID Block (62 numbers).
- Static IP Block: A static IP block suitable for secure connections to IHS/OIT networks and enterprise applications.
- Installation & Activation: Full responsibility for maintaining, configuring, and activating all required solutions, including Ethernet termination, PRI activation, static IP configuration, and validation testing.
- Exclusions: Construction costs (unless separately itemized), internal facility cabling, LAN equipment, switches, and PBX systems are out of scope.
Contract Details & Set-Aside
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- Set-Aside: Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE) and Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE).
- Anticipated Period of Performance: A base period from June 2, 2026, to June 1, 2027, plus four one-year option periods, extending potentially 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.
Compliance & Performance Standards
The successful provider must comply with:
- All FCC and telecommunications regulations.
- IHS cybersecurity requirements for static IP services.
- HIPAA-related expectations for transmission security (45 CFR Part 164).
- Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and CFR 42 Part 2.
- Service Levels: 99% or higher uptime, 24/7 technical support, appropriate maximum latency, and defined escalation procedures.
Submission Requirements & Deadlines
Interested IEE/ISBEE businesses must submit a capability statement (limited to 10 pages) via email to Maliaka Pinkney (maliaka.pinkney@hhs.gov). The submission must include a cover letter with company details (name, UEI, POC, address, GWAC/GSA, business size relative to NAICS 517810, company type, teaming arrangements) and the mandatory "Indian Health Service Buy Indian Act Indian Economic Enterprise Representation Form."
- Questions Due: April 13, 2026, 9:00 AM EST.
- Responses Due: May 18, 2026, 12:00 PM EST.
- Subject Line: “Telecommunications Services”– SS-26-HHS-1523710.