GSA Connections: Overview
GSA Connections is a single government wide acquisition contract (GWAC) which can be used to order a broad range of telecommunications equipment and services to support building and campus communications infrastructure needs worldwide. It's scope is exceptionally broad. It is structured to offer inherent flexibility and choice by providing equipment, labor, and turnkey solutions to meet a variety of telecommunications infrastructure requirements.
View the EDS GSA Connections Overview PDF, 87K
GSA CONNECTIONS offers flexible contracts that:
- Provide telecommunications equipment and services for customers within the Federal workspace with a variety of procurement options (e.g., a la carte or full service delivery).
- Can be used in conjunction with other Government sources of supply to provide customized solutions and meet unique customer requirements; and
- Include emerging technologies that facilitate the convergence of voice, data, and video in the workspace and interface with next generation converged networks.
What It's Not
CONNECTIONS is not intended to compete with Local Exchange Carriers (LEC), cellular telephone carriers, inter-exchange carriers or Internet Service Providers (ISP). Normally, circuits that are sold under FTS-2001 cannot be offered under GSA CONNECTIONS.
Scope
Scope of GSA CONNECTIONS may include (but not limited to):
- User Station Equipment
- Switching Equipment (circuit, packet, IP, ATM)
- Distribution Systems (cable and wire)
- Voice Mail Systems
- Call Center Systems
- Voice and Video Conferencing
- In-Building and Campus Paging Systems
- Data Communications Equipment
- Microwave Systems (wireless LAN, LMDS)
- Converged Systems (VoIP, CTI, and UMS)
- Customized Packaged Solutions That Enhance the Agency's Telecommunications Infrastructure
Available Services
GSA offers two types of service with the CONNECTIONS contract. “Assisted Service” enables the customer to enter into an agreement with GSA for value-added service whereby GSA handles the acquisition documentation development, vendor negotiations and evaluation, billing and payment functions.
“Self Service” enables the customer to order equipment and services directly from the contractor. The fee for “Self Service” has been set at 1%. The fee for “Assisted Services” will be negotiated between GSA and the using federal agency.
Levels of Contracts
GSA intends to award three levels of contracts: Nation, Global and State. The national contracts will cover all fifty states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the remaining Northern Mariana Islands. (Contractors that have been awarded national contracts are eligible to compete for task orders at both the national and state levels. As of February 28, 2003, only national contracts have been awarded).
Categories
Each CONNECTIONS contract has three categories: Equipment and Services, Support Services, and Solutions. The Equipment and Services category consists of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment and services. Support Services includes skilled labor (hourly rates by year, CONUS and OCONUS). The Solutions category is for unique infrastructure requirements using COTS products and services OR “customized approaches”. Competing contractors may submit proposal for any or all of the categories. EDS has won a contract for the Support Services and Solution categories.
EDS Connections Team
EDS has assembled an exclusive team of industry leaders that cover virtually every facet of the telecommunications and information technology industry. Our team includes:
Anteon, GLS Associates, Bay State, Level (3) Communications, CACI, MilVets Systems Technology, Inc, Concert Technologies, Nextel, Countdown Technologies, Reliable Integration Services, Dynamic Technology Systems, SDV Telecommunications, Edit, SOZA, General Dynamics Network Systems, Teldata Control, Inc., GlobalSat Telecommunications System, GLS Verizon Federal Network Systems
Solutions
In response to the GSA CONNECTIONS RFP, the EDS CONNECTIONS Team provided priced solutions to follow required categories. For solution summaries and pricing, please view the solutions page.
Use of Small Businesses
EDS is committed to the integration of small businesses into its Support Services and Solutions business opportunities. The EDS CONNECTIONS Team features some of the strongest small business partners in the telecommunications industry. Our minimum target subcontracting goals for CONNECTIONS are:
- Total Small business 40%
- Small Disadvantaged 10%
- Woman-Owned 5%
- Veteran-Owned 5%
- HUBZone Certified 2.5%
EDS will meet with the Contracting Officer, the CONNECTIONS Program Management Office and the Small Business Administration semi-annually to review progress on our small business goals and progress.