Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Midstates Procurement Operations Branch, 4050 Alpha Rd., 1800MSRO, Dallas, Texas 75244

D -- TELEPHONE SERVICES DUE 081298 POC Tina Greene, Contract Specialist (972)308-1887 or Ernie Reeves, Contracting Officer (972)308-1977 This serves as a Sources Sought Notice to locate qualified sources for Telephone Service. The following information is provided to do a Market Survey of industry to see if there are any potential contractors who have the skills and knowledge required to complete this effort. This announcement is NOT a formal solicitation and is NOT a request for proposal. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced separately. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. On October 1, 1998, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will assume full management of the NEAX2400 PBX and facilities at 1919 Smith Street, Houston, Texas 77002. Currently, five T-1 primary rate interface (PRI) access lines provide connectivity from the PBX to the public switched network (PSN) for local and intercity calls. Connectivity to all interexchange carriers for intercity calls is required. The current configuration is ISF B8ZX. The T-1s are currently billed to the General Services Administration (GSA). A change in currently assigned telephone numbers is NOT an option. Therefore, number portability is mandatory. In addition, the ability to make and receive calls must be equal to or better than the current service. Although the traffic is expected to remain about the same, the IRS requires some flexibility in regard to increases or decreases in local traffic. Pricing is required that will allow adjustments from 4 to 6 PRI access lines. All conditions in regard to the provision of the service and the pricing for the service must be very clear, as concise as possible, and provided in the response. The service must be continuously monitored to ensure that the service is operational. The provider must perform testing at least daily to ensure that the service is within established specifications. All service affecting testing or maintenance must be done after normal business hours. The provider must provide service that is not affected by electrical outages. The provider must respond to trouble reports 24 hours per day, 7 days per week or as directed by the IRS. The provider should determine the location of troubles within 2 hours of a trouble report. If the trouble is a potential problem with the provider's equipment at the IRS location, the provider must respond within 4 hours from the original notification. The provider must promptly respond to questions regarding service, billing, and request for technical assistance at no additional charge. Billing must be clear and available in paper and/or on diskette or CD-ROM at no additional charge. If billing codes are used as opposed to clear descriptions on the bill, a printed explanation of the codes must be provided when requested. In addition to the previously stated requirements, carriers that can provide PRI service to connect the PBX should provide a response to the following: One (one) year pricing with four (4) one (1) year renewable options for 4 to 6 PRI access lines. In addition, if the service is not totally operational for any continuous 24 hours or is erratic as determined by the IRS for 3 or more days during any one-month, the IRS will have the option to unilaterally, cancel the agreement with no penalty or termination charge to the IRS and seek service from another provider. The provider being terminated will be required to pay the difference in cost, including installation costs, for the first 90 days if the service is switched. The service will be required after COB on September 30, 1998. The PBX will support testing or partial conversion of two (2) T-1s prior to October 1, 1998. Sufficient advanced testing is required prior to cutover to demonstrate full features, capability, and quality of the service. Also, if new technology that offers additional features or increased service quality becomes available, the IRS, at its option, may accept the provider's offer to convert the service. The Government will NOT respond to any request for a solicitation package in response to this request for information. For technical questions, please contact Bill Williams (972)308-1957. The Government will not pay for any materials provided to it in response to this synopsis and submittals will not be returned to the sender. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. Respondents deemed fully qualified will be considered in any resultant solicitation for the requirement. All descriptive literature information and pricing responses shall be submitted no later than August 12, 1998 to Tina Greene, IRS, Midstates Procurement Branch, Mail Code 1800 MSRO, 4050 Alpha Road, Dallas, Texas 75244. Posted 07/22/98 (W-SN226963). (0203)

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