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D -- RFI AUDIO CONFERENCING SERVICES POC Bettie Hartley, Contract Specialist, (301) 443-7848 Rosanna Browning, Contracting Officer, (301) 443-6931 The Program Support Center (PSC) is a fee-for-service organization which provides a wide range of services to customers in the Department of Health and Human Services as well as other Federal programs. Customers are located throughout the 50 United States, Canada, and Mexico. The PSC is requesting information from industry about existing audio conferencing services. The PSC and its customers currently utilize FTS2000 audio conferencing and estimate the usage at 1.5 - 3.5 million minutes of audio conference call time per year. The number of conferees per call may range from 3-100. A variety of options are currently under consideration by the PSC: (1) Lease an audio conference bridge with support by the vendor (which may include operator support services); (2) Purchase an audio conference bridge with support by the vendor (which may include operator support services); and (3) Full audio conferencing services that provide, at a minimum, FTS2000 features and services. FTS (within the US) and MCI (international) trunks will be utilized for long distance transport regardless of the option(s) chosen. Responses to this RFI shall provide a full description (basic and premium) of offered audio conferencing services to include a discussion of the following items: features; hours of service; personnel requirement, i.e. bonded; ability to provide last minute conferencing services; reservation parameters; security; customized billing procedures; bill back capabilities; management reporting tools; description of network facilities and facilities management; recommended training and associated costs; availability of quantity discounts; product literature and pricing; ability to use FTS2000 and MCI transmission facilities; ability to include Canada and Mexico on conference calls; any ancillary requirements; and pricing breakdown of all services and features. Responses to this RFI shall also provide a full description (basic and premium) of offered audio conferencing equipment to include product literature and pricing and a discussion of the following items: maintenance services and costs; installation costs; software to operate the system; available training and costs; ability to use FTS2000 and MCI transmission facilities; ability to include Canada and Mexico on conference calls; any ancillary requirements; and pricing breakdown of all services and features. All responses shall include customary commercial practices concerning industry terms and conditions for example: warranties; acceptance; inspection; maintenance support; packaging and marking. Respondents should indicate their business size (large or small) and whether the firm has 8(a) status. Additionally, if items are available on GSA Schedule, a copy of the schedule shall be provided. This office may request additional information. Proprietary data should be clearly identified as such. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute an IFB or RFP. No solicitation document exists at this time. Therefore, requests for IFBs or RFPs will be considered invalid responses. There is no guarantee that a formal solicitation will be forthcoming. The Government assumes no responsibility for any costs associated with the preparation of technical and pricing information submitted in response to the RFI package. Responses to the RFI package must be received in writing by December 20, to the attention of Bettie Hartley the above address. (0332)

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