An agency will place a task order directly with Sprint. This will establish a direct ordering and direct billing arrangement between the agency or organization and Sprint. Instructions are posted on Sprint's website at www.federalrelay.us.
Those Federal agencies, who desire to use FedRelay services but, for whatever
reason, do not establish a direct ordering/direct billing arrangement with Sprint by
June 30, 2008, will only be able to use the TRS (Voice/TTY) service, formerly
known as Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), on July 1, 2008. TRS
(Voice/TTY) is the only mandated telecommunications relay service in
accordance with the Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement Act of
1988, Public Law 100-542. No other FedRelay service will be available for their
use until the agency issues a task order against the FedRelay support contract
and establishes the direct ordering/direct billing arrangement with Sprint.
Those non-federal entities and NGO's, who desire to use FedRelay services but, for whatever reason, do not establish a direct ordering/direct billing arrangement with Sprint by December 31, 2008 will only be able to use the TRS (Voice/TTY) service, formerly known as Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD), on January 1, 2009. TRS (Voice/TTY) is the only mandated telecommunications relay service in accordance with the Telecommunications Accessibility Enhancement Act of 1988, Public Law 100-542. No other FedRelay service will be available for their use until they issue a task order against the FedRelay support contractor and establish the direct ordering/direct billing arrangement with Sprint.
Yes. GSA has conducted a Certification and Accreditation (C&A) of Sprint's systems for the three, IP-based services (FedVRS, RCC, and IP Relay) in accordance with FIPS 199, NIST's FISMA Publication 800-60, and GSA IT Security Policy.
Under the FedRelay contract, Federal agencies may decide on customized solutions that will enable Federal agencies to address their security and firewall issues specifically for that customer's mission. Agencies will work directly with Sprint to find a solution for their security and firewall issues that have heretofore prevented hearing impaired employees from using FedVRS, RCC, and IP Relay.
GSA will conduct an in-scope determination and evaluate the proposed solution to ensure that prices are fair and reasonable. GSA will then add the proposed solution to the FedRelay contract via modification, making the solution available for the agency to place an order.