The Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is seeking information, comments, feedback and recommendations upon which to develop a follow-on program to the current Networx Program and other Network Services Offerings. Sources for this information include, but are not limited to, government agencies, potential offerors, and other sources relative to telecommunication services offered on the GSA Network Services Programs. GSA has requested that the N&T SIG to assist in the solicitation of industry feedback. Responses to any or all of the questions below may relate directly to the Networx Program or other network services offerings and are sought in order to improve services currently offered on the Networx acquisition and for input to future network services acquisitions. Information, comments, feedback and recommendations are sought for refining the current approach and contributing to overall future program success.
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Network Services Programs with respect to any/all of the following areas?
A. Acquisition Strategy and Program Goals: Success of acquisition strategy goals and objectives (see below "Interagency Management Council Networx Goals, 2005"); Value to Customers, Industry, Stakeholders; Effectiveness of GSA governance
B. GSA Operations: Service Ordering, Billing, and Inventory Systems; Hosting Center; Agency Pricer; Ease of Use
C. GSA Contract Management: Fair Opportunity Process; Service Level Agreements, Contract Compliance, Program Management, Modification Process
D. Technical / Pricing: Services and solutions; Regional applications for local telecommunications services
E. Vendor Operations: Vendor Contract Operations and Service Delivery; Effectiveness of the Terms & Conditions
F. Transition Lessons Learned
G. Other Areas
2. What do you consider the most valuable attributes of GSA Network Services Programs and services?
3. What areas are most in need of improvement?
4. How could GSA improve network service delivery?
5. How could GSA improve the Regional Programs?
6. What advice do you have for Vendor service improvement?
7. Scope of services offered - too many, too few, about right?
8. To what extent does the existing suite of services meet Enterprise and Regional needs?
9. Do you think the current approach of aggregating volume to drive down prices for the government overall is useful and effective for your agency?
10. If you agree with the current approach, how would you suggest that the Government aggregate more volume on the GSA Network Services Contracts to further lower costs for all agencies?
11. Do you have a suggestion for a better network services procurement model for the Government?
12. Any additional information on subjects not covered?
Questions related to the Local Services Environment
13. To what extent has the merging of local and wide area network services changed the way GSA contracts should address delivery of local services
14. How can Network Services 2020 best support Regional and local services delivery?
15. How should Network Services 2020 complement the existing portfolio of local contracts?
16. What contracting mechanism would best deliver legacy and current/future local services?
17. Other comments on the Regional/local services delivery environment