Federal Acquisition Service U.S. General Services Administration Debbie Clark Director, CONNECTIONS Program Office CONNECTIONS – Telecom and Network Solutions

Federal Acquisition Service

U.S. General Services Administration

Debbie ClarkDirector, CONNECTIONS Program OfficeDebbie ClarkDirector, CONNECTIONS Program Office

CONNECTIONS – Telecom and Network Solutions

CONNECTIONS – Telecom and Network Solutions

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ITS offers government access to the spectrum of IT products and services, and to strategic solutions that meet customer needs

ITS“Great Government

through Technology”

Cybersecurity Sustainability SocioeconomicWireless &

Mobility

IT Offerings

StrategicSolutions

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ITS helps government execute its core mission by making IT acquisitions:

• Faster

• Cheaper

• Easier

Assisted Acquisition Services

ITS delivers products and services through four main channels

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ITS Portfolio

IT Schedule Programs

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Providing Federal, State, and Local customers with direct order and delivery of leading-edge, high-quality commercial information technology products, software and services

Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts

(GWACs)-------------------------------------Fully competed Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts enabling the purchase of a partial or total Information Technology (IT) services-based solutions worldwide

Nationwide Network Services

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Flexible customer access worldwide to the full-suite of commercial telecommunications and networking solutions

Integrated Technology Services

(ITS)

Delivering leading-edge information technology solutions to enable Great Government Through Technology

Strategic Solutions------------------------------------Offering identity management solutions and strategic sourcing support satisfying Federal IT mandates including: • HSPD-12 • E-Authentication• SmartBUY• IPv6

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Value to the Customer

• Value: Share factors shaping technology requirements and choices• Example: Need for information access and

security increasing faster than skilled staff

• Value: Clarify scope and uses of CONNECTIONS contract• Example: Most frequent comment from

contract users: “I wish I had known about CONNECTIONS ease-of-use sooner”

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AGENDA

1. Industry Trends

2. Federal IT Spending Overview

3. Factors Shaping Federal Technology Requirements

4. How CONNECTIONS Meets Requirements

5. Key Factors Agencies Consider in a Procurement

6. Customer Success

7. How to Buy• Questions

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1. INDUSTRY TRENDS• U.S. telecommunications industry revenue decline of 5.5% in 2009

• 2008 Revenue of over $1 Trillion, an increase of 4.6% • 2011-2012 Rebound of 14.4% expected• Broadband revenue to grow - Continued growth

• $7.2 Billion Stimulus Package• Enterprise Equipment - Continued growth• Support Services of Enterprise Networks and CPE - Continued Growth

• Key Industry Drivers

• High volume data applications• Wireless• Service bundling• Broadband and high speed services• Carrier consolidation

• Multimedia applications• Internet access• Fiber deployment• Video and Web conferencing

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2. FEDERAL IT SPENDING OVERVIEW

• Federal budget of $73 Billion for IT in FY09• 10.4% increase Civilian

• 4.3% increase DOD

• CONNECTIONS can address a large portion of an agency’s IT purchases

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3. FACTORS SHAPING TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

• Federal IT Environment

• External and Internal Drivers

• Solutions in Support of Drivers

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Federal IT Environment

• Government interoperability (E-GOV)• Gov’t to Citizen, Gov’t to Gov’t, Gov’t to Industry

• Increasing public access to the citizen• Paperless environment• Security• Enterprise-wide focus• Need for skilled staff• Budget• Acquisition directives (i.e. Performance Based)

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Executive Initiatives as a Driver

• E-Gov• Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA)• Clinger-Cohen• Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA)• President’s Management Agenda

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Organizational Needs as Drivers• Enterprise Architecture

• Interoperability• Consolidation• Convergence

• Security• Protecting the IT Infrastructure• COOP / Disaster Recovery• VPN / Remote Access

• Information Management• Storage• System Integration• Accessibility to Information• Business Intelligence

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Solutions that Support Drivers

• Enterprise Architecture• Interoperability

• Network Infrastructure Assessments• Redundancy / Reliability

• Centralization• NOC / Call Centers• Inventory Management• Help Desk Staff, Network Engineers, Business Process Analysts

• Convergence• VoIP• Remote Access• Cost Savings (using same platforms)

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• Security• Protecting the IT Infrastructure

• Layers – Network, Physical, Application and Database• Vulnerabilities Assessments• Mitigation Strategies• Intrusion Detection• Firewall Implementation and Management

• COOP / Disaster Recovery• Contingency Planning• Redundancy (Alternate Access)

• VPN / Remote Access• Network Assessments• Secure Authentication and Encryption

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• Information Management• Storage

• Data Warehousing - Archiving and Imaging• Backups

• System Integration• Data Consolidation• Subject Matter Experts / Engineers

• Accessibility to information• Portals / Intranets• Servers, Firewalls, Routers, Load Balancing

• Business Intelligence• Network Monitoring/ Management• Verification/audit of Billing and Account Management

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An Excellent Match!

• GSA understands this dynamic, complex, ever-changing environment

• CONNECTIONS harnesses the full GSA value-add into a single contract

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4. HOW CONNECTIONS MEETS REQUIREMENTS

• Overview

• Features

• Examples

• Partners

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CONNECTIONS Overview• National Telecommunications Infrastructure (awarded Jan

2003)• Multiple Award ID/IQ 8yrs (3 base years and five 1-year

options)• Full and Open Competition• Delivery / Task Order Model• Fair Opportunity• Firm Fixed Ceiling Price • Supports Performance Based Contracting Approach• 3 Categories (Equipment, Services and Solutions)

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The “Big” Picture

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How to Decide Among Categories

• Category 1 - Equipment & Services• Contractor provides the hardware you specify

• Category 2 - Support Services • Contractor provides supporting resources you need to

accomplish a task

• Category 3 - Solutions• Contractor implements a specific solution after you

describe a general requirement

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Category 3• Statement of

Objectives (SOO)

• Results desired• Performance

Based• Solutions

Typical Features of Categories

Category 2• Statement of

Work (SOW)• Hours, fixed or

T&M• Level of effort• E-business• Professional• Technical• Support Services:

No equipment CLINs

Category 1• Bill of Materials• Specifications• Maintenance• Installation• Testing• Operations• Training• Equipment with

associated support services

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Skill Sets Examples

• Consultants• Engineers• Analysts• Developers• Technicians• Specialists

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Examples of Support Services

• Inventory Management

• Acquisition Management

• Configuration Management

• Billing & Account Management

• Help Desk Operations

• Network Management

• Maintenance

• Installation and Testing

• Customer Service

• Disaster Recovery

• Network Security Assessment

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CONNECTIONS – A Networx Transition Tool

• CONNECTIONS can enhance your Networx transition planning effort

• CONNECTIONS can provide:• Equipment: additional end user modems, phones,

PBXs, switches, firewalls, servers, routers, intrusion detection

• Manpower: transition management, support personnel, qualified technicians

• Solutions: transition planning-execution-documentation-design of integrated contractor services

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CONNECTIONS - Potential Transition Functions

• Pre-Planning• Inventory validation, technology analysis

• Strategy• Organizational scheduling and communications• Architecture alternatives• Transition planning – orders and disconnects

• Transition Coordination• Site surveys, cutovers, reporting, billing verification

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CONNECTIONS as an Integrator

• CONNECTIONS can be used as an Integrator to:• Coordinate with access, transport, and equipment vendors• Monitor end to end performance

• Time to repair, downtime, meeting service levels• Supply agency with real-time insight into measures

• Coordinate trouble handling/definition• Look for trends in performance• Act as single POC with all involved contractors

• Propose procedures to address problems• Report / Recommend / Develop business cases / Return on Investment (ROI)

analysis

• Might use Networx for IXC, MAA for local access/transport, Schedule 70 for equipment (or other combinations)

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CONNECTIONS Prime Contractors

• CONNECTIONS contractors can add sub-contractors at any time• Please see http://www.gsa.gov/connections for contractor contact information

CONNECTIONS Contractor Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 A&T Systems X X X American Systems X X X Apptis X Booz Allen Hamilton X CACI - ISS X X X HP Enterprise Services (EDS) X X EPS Corporation X X X General Dynamics Information Technology X Government Telecommunications Inc. X X MC Dean X NextiraOne Federal X Science Applications International Corp X X SBC Federal Solutions X X X Verizon Federal X X X

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5. HOW AGENCIES MAKE BUYING DECISIONS

• Timeframe to Procure• Can you get what you want when you want it?

• Price (Best Value)• Can you get quality at a competitive price?

• Reliability & Credibility of Contractors• Will you have access to best performing contractors?

Source: GSA FAS Blueprint Survey

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6. CUSTOMER SUCCESSES

• Top Customers

• Successful Projects

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Top Customers in Last Year

1. State Department

2. Army

3. Veteran Affairs

4. General Services Administration

5. Air Force

6. Navy

7. Social Security Administration

8. Agriculture

9. Justice

10. Homeland Security

11. Transportation

12. DOD

13. Federal Trade Commission

14. Treasury

15. Health and Human Services

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Customers Win with CONNECTIONS

• State Department• Operate, manage, maintain existing domestic

Enterprise Telecommunications network

• Umbrella task order

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• General Services Administration• Maintenance & support of 26 PBX switches

throughout Region 9 (California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Pacific territories)

• Approximately 62% cost savings over 5 years

• Task was issued, awarded and implemented in approx. 3 months

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• Federal Trade Commission• Awarded a 5 year CONNECTIONS task order

• CONNECTIONS Category 2 award

• Manage a centralized service call center, supporting several locations

• Provide on-site end user support to several locations

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7. HOW TO BUY FROM CONNECTIONS

• Procurement Process

• Hot Topics• CONNECTIONS & Performance Based Contracting• CONNECTIONS & “Other Direct Costs”

• Tools and Resources

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CONNECTIONS Procurement Process

• Designated Agency Official (DAO) Ordering Options• Self-service• Assisted-service

• Gather requirements• Develop Delivery Order / Task Order Request (BOM,

SOW or SOO) & other required acquisition documents• Ensure “Fair Opportunity” throughout the process• Negotiate as needed• Issue order• Manage delivery

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Performance Based Contracting

• Standards of performance (indicators): Indicators by which a contractor’s performance is measured

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Baseline indicator levels used to evaluate quality of service

• Incentive arrangements: Incentives are offered based on whether the contractor’s delivery is meeting the SLAs

Intended to ensure that required performance quality measures are achieved and that total payment is related to the degree that services performed meet contract Standards.

Note: Refer to Section 37.6 of the FAR for a more detailed description of Performance Based Contracting.

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Other Direct Costs and CONNECTIONS

• Under the CONNECTIONS contract ODCs were anticipated and are allowable. Information on proper use of ODCs is discussed in Section H.30 of the contracts. General Information:• On individual task and delivery orders, ODCs need to be

priced on an individual item basis and labeled appropriately

• ODCs will be governed by the same terms and conditions of the contract as CONNECTIONS CLIN items

• Maximum allowable amounts will be established by task order as outlined by the DAO

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Other Direct Costs and Section H.30• The Designated Agency Official (DAO) will establish

the maximum allowable amounts of ODCs in accordance with the following limitations: • Category 1 orders - $ 10 million • Category 2 orders - $ 15 million • Category 3 orders - $ 30 million

• Note: ODCs in excess of these amounts will be referred to the GSA PCO for review and approval.

• The DAO determines that the prices for such items are fair and reasonable. ODCs must be within the scope of the applicable contract category.

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Web Tools

• CONNECTIONS CLIN Checker• Verify pricing• Advanced version

• CONNECTIONS Management Reporting System (CMRS)• Contractor reports awards• Provide feedback on accuracy• Deliverable status

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CONNECTIONS One-Stop-Shop Website

• Key Information on Portal• FAS Points of Contact• Industry Partner Points of Contact• CONNECTIONS Contract• Roles and Responsibilities• Fair Opportunity Guideline• Statement of Work (SOW) Examples • Contractor E-mail Addresses for Orders• Gateway to CONNECTIONS Management Reporting

System: www.gsa.gov/connections

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CONNECTIONS Summary• Telecommunications infrastructure contract• High degree of flexibility and customer choice• No project too big or too small• Equipment, Services and Solutions driven• 14 prime contractors and their subs• GSA value add with assisted service• Task Order driven - enhances competitive process• Dovetails well with GSA transport contracts• www.gsa.gov/connections

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The Future - CONNECTIONS II• GSA has initiated a follow-on acquisition known as

CONNECTIONS II.• CONNECTIONS II will maintain the spirit of the original

contract and ensure continued client support.• CONNECTIONS II’s Objective: Select highly qualified

communications and net-centric contractors to support campus and enterprise-wide solutions. CONNECTIONS II will provide:

• Transition Planning and Integration services• Infrastructure Installation and Implementation• Products and Labor • Ability to leverage pre-awarded, fully competed government

network transport and access service contracts

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CONNECTIONS II Scope• Multiple award contracts to provide connectivity from the user’s

desktop to the point of interconnection of the customer’s network service providers.

• Increased focus on capability of providing enterprise-wide solutions.• Includes all labor, products and solutions necessary to support the

integration of telecommunications, networking and network-centric applications at the LAN, building, campus, and enterprise level.

• Network services, including services that provide transport and access to and between customer sites, are OUT OF SCOPE.

• The CONNECTIONS II acquisition will be international in scope – BUT – nationwide service delivery is minimal requirement for contract award.

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CONNECTIONS II Acquisition• CNX II will be a multiple award, Indefinite Delivery -

Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract procured as a FAR 15 acquisition.

• Ten year period of performance:• Base period of four (4) years;• Six (6) one year options.

• Geographic scope is GLOBAL – however minimum award eligibility requires vendor to deliver services nationwide.

• Contract ceiling: $10 Billion

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CONNECTIONS II – A Better Vehicle• Provides enterprise-wide integration capability from

EXPERIENCED telecom vendors • Provide solutions which are combinations of any or all of the

four Solution Focus Areas• Geographic scope is GLOBAL • Task Order Flexibility – ability of vendors to propose

“unpriced CLINs” in task orders – reduces/eliminates base contract modifications

• Equipment provided under the contract can meet Supply Chain Risk Management practices

• Davis-Bacon & Service Contracting Act language incorporated

• Task Orders placed BEFORE expiration of Basic Contract may extend up to 60 months after the expiration of the Basic Contract

• Complementary to Networx • Task Orders can be fixed price and/or T&M• Access to Secret, Top Secret & TS/SCI cleared personnel• Customer choice of Direct Order or using GSA Assisted

Acquisition

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CONNECTIONS II Targets

• Draft RFP released March 2010• Final RFP expected June 2010• Award planned for winter 2010/2011

• www.gsa.gov/connectionsii

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QUESTIONS?

For more information regarding this presentation:

Please ContactCONNECTIONS Program Officewww.gsa.gov/connections877-387-2001

Documents

Federal Acquisition Service U.S. General Services Administration Debbie Clark Director, CONNECTIONS Program Office CONNECTIONS – Telecom and Network Solutions