AT&T tapped for $74.6M sole-source DISA contract

The Defense Information Systems Agency has awarded AT&T a $74.6 million contract with no competition after determining no other company could provide the same kind of communications services.

AT&T is the incumbent on the contract to provide telecommunications services on a program known as the Northstar Network. The network is a line of sight communications system that uses UHF for analog and digital air to ground and ground to air connectivity. The network covers 95 percent of the continental United States, according to procurement documents.

The contract calls for ground entry points, with each point supporting at least two aircraft simultaneously. Northstar also provides connectivity to other DOD systems include Satellite Star (SATSTAR), Executive Airlift Communications Network, SIPRNET, NIPRNET, DRSN, DSN and the public switched telephone network as well as other voice and data networks.

The fixed price contract has one-base year and four one-year option periods.

In its justification document, DISA describes how it received little feedback in two rounds of comments about its plan to award the contract without competition. The justification document is heavily redacted, but apparently no comments were received about the two FBO.gov notices it posted.

Previously, AT&T provided the support to the network under two separate contracts, but they have been consolidated into one, which DISA says will low administrative costs.

The justification document also talks about steps DISA will take to increase competition. These steps include evaluating new technologies, working with other agencies with similar needs, and continuing to review user requirements to see if they can be provided by a combination of vendors and systems.

DISA also plans to “continue probing the general public/industry by posting notices on FedBizOpps,” according to the justification document.