NIST/MAX High-Performance Fiber Optic Network Access

THIS IS AN AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT FOR COMMERCIAL SERVICES PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR 8.405-6(a)(2) - Only one source is capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized.

The purpose of this procurement is for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Information Technology Lab (ITL), Network Technologies Division, to acquire dark fiber optic access to the Washington, D.C ultra-high bandwidth, high performance Mid-Atlantic Crossroads (MAX) Network for networking research purposes for a base year plus four consecutive option years.

Background Information and Basis for Sole Source

The MAX Network provides ultra-high bandwidth, high-performance data transfer and provides advanced network services that enable higher education and research communities to successfully fulfill their organizational missions in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area. MAX is a non-profit consortium founded by universities in this region to provide pioneering efforts in advanced networking and to provide researchers access to the best networking infrastructure for conducting research. MAX is the only Washington D.C. access point to the Internet2 research network.

Zayo Group, LLC operates a high-performance optic fiber cable infrastructure in the Washington Metropolitan Area and is the only optic cable provider connecting from the NIST Administration Building to the MAX Network located at 7965 Baltimore Ave, College Park. NIST previously acquired a physical connection from the NIST Administration Building into the Zayo optic fiber infrastructure and activated a 1-pair of fiber connection to MAX. In order for NIST to continue the use of this optic fiber connection that is delivered through the Zayo cable infrastructure, NIST must procure continued access from Zayo. Further, part of the physical fiber is owned by Zayo and thus Zayo is the only entity that can access and provide maintenance services on the fiber infrastructure.

Hence, an award was made to Zayo Group, LLC under GSA Schedule GS-35F-070CA in the amount of $623,700.00 for a base period of one year and 4 option years.

General

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 517311 - Wired Telecommunications Carriers. The small business size standard is 1,500 employees. Zayo Group, LLC is an other than small business under this NAICS code.

This award notice is not a solicitation. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Hing Pan Wong at hnw6@nist.gov. All responses to this award notice must be submitted so that they are received at hnw6@nist.gov no later than the aforementioned due date.