GSA Inks Estimated 750M SATCOM II Deal With 24 Firms

GSA #10343

May 2, 2007
Contact: Jon Anderson, (202) 501-1231
jon.anderson@gsa.gov

Washington, DC – Contracts to provide federal and defense agencies with the next generation of high quality, worldwide satellite communications solutions were awarded today by the U.S. General Services Administration. 

“GSA’s customers have critical national missions that need the exceptional capabilities offered by SATCOM-II,” noted GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Jim Williams.  “We’re not only providing satellite communications today, but we’ve designed SATCOM-II to keep pace with the phenomenal growth in satellite technology we expect over its five-year contract life.  That’s important news for our customers.”

SATCOM-II awardees include both large and small businesses.  Large business awardees are Americom Government Services, Inc., Arrowhead Global Solutions, Inc., ARTEL, Inc., AT&T Corp.,  DRS Technical Services, EDS Corp., Global Communications Solutions, Inc.,  Hughes Network Systems, LLC, Intelsat General Corporation, Mackay Communications, Inc., Segovia, Inc., Stratos Mobile Network, Inc., Telecommunications Systems, Inc., Telenor Satellite Services, and ViaSat, Inc. 

Small businesses comprise over one third of the SATCOM-II awardees. They are CVG, Inc., DasNet Corporation, E&E Enterprises Global, Knight Sky Consulting and Associates, LLC, New Orleans Teleport, Inc., Psi Systems, Inc., RiteNet Corporation, Satellite Communication Systems, Inc., and Skjei Telecom, Inc. Small business awardees comprise more than one-third of the SATCOM-II awardees.

Satellite provides the only network available where no phone or cable lines exist, which is usual for federal workers fighting wilderness wildfires, patrolling remote borders and rescuing injured citizens from devastating hurricanes or tornadoes.  With the rapid and reliable communications networks provided by this contract, federal workers can use hand-held receivers similar to cell phones as well as access full broadband computer networks anywhere in the world.  These networks begin with a compact satellite station that fits in a car trunk but provides all computer, e-mail and broadband Internet capability normally found only in the office.  These stations can even operate from aircraft and ships.  SATCOM-II’s broadband access also makes possible broadcast services as well as distance learning for federal customers in areas throughout the world that don’t have a normal communications network, because it enables audio and video transmission of educational material.

SATCOM-II offers GSA customers unique opportunities—a special small business set-aside component for satellite professional support services and an innovative way to stay ahead of the technology curve.  The set-aside helps agencies better involve America’s outstanding small businesses in serving citizens, and a new modification process keeps SATCOM-II current with new technologies and services as they become commercially available. 

The SATCOM-II program has an estimated value of $750 million over the life of the five-year, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts, and it will replace the existing GSA Satellite Services program. SATCOM-II offers competitive pricing throughout the life of the contract, as well as flexible ordering and billing. 

SATCOM-II details are also available through GSA.gov at SATCOM-II Overview.

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Founded in 1949, GSA serves as a centralized procurement and property management agency for the federal government.  GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,300 government-owned or leased buildings and 205,000 vehicles.  GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 420 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services. GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and eGov Travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.

Did You Know?  FAS annual business volume of $46 billion accounts for more than one-seventh of the entire federal procurement budget.  FAS manages acquisition programs that include information technology, telecommunications, furniture, tools, office products and supply items, and all travel, motor vehicles and credit card services.