GSA solicits proposals for massive telecom procurement

The General Services Administration has released requests for proposals on a multibillion-dollar telecommunications procurement that agency officials and some lawmakers hope will become the primary means for the government to buy a host of telecom services.

On Friday, GSA published the RFPs for its Networx program, which consists of two contracts that will replace GSA's current telecom offerings. Networx Universal will offer agencies a packaged set of services, and Networx Enterprise will sell discrete items such as Internet access and wireless service.

"The services provided by Networx will help the government move toward greater security, seamlessness and interoperability," said Barbara Shelton, acting commissioner of GSA's Federal Technology Service, in a statement. FTS is managing the Networx deal.

The RFPs were released after a brief delay during which GSA incorporated about 1,000 comments and suggestions from potential vendors. Many of those companies have been sharply critical of GSA's plans, taking issue with the minimum revenue Networx contractors will be guaranteed, as well as some technical management requirements, such as for billing, which critics have said are overly burdensome.

GSA Administrator Stephen Perry said in a statement that the agency "has worked closely with our stakeholders during the development of these RFPs to ensure that these acquisitions are well-defined and provide federal agencies-at low cost-the best telecommunications services and solutions that industry has to offer."

Tom Davis, R-Va., who chairs the House Government Reform Committee and has closely followed development of the Networx contracts, has said he wants them to serve as the government's primary means of buying telecom services. However, Davis also has questioned whether GSA has the management resources available to oversee Networx as well as other high-ticket procurements while the agency is in the midst of a major reorganization, aimed at improving its internal procedures and controls.

Networx proposals are due Aug.3.