JUL 12 1990

HCO MEMO 90-164

Attached for your information and guidance is a memorandum from the Director, Management and Information Services (MIS) establishing departmental policy for telecommunications service procurements.

Under current law, the FTS2000 contract is a mandatory source for the following telecommunications services: long distance voice service, switched voice service, switched data service, dedicated transmission service for data, packet switched service, FTS mail, video transmission service, and switched digital integrated service.

MIS has established Designated Agency Representatives (DAR) who must review all purchase requisitions for telecommunications services. This requirement applies both to new contracts and to modifications to existing contracts, including options. The DAR will review each requisition and decide if the required service falls within the scope of the FTS2000 contract. If the telecommunications service does not fall within the scope of the FTS2000 contract, the DAR will state this on the requisition, sign it and forward the requisition on to the appropriate contracting office. If the service does fall within the scope of the FTS2000 contract, then the DAR will place the order unless a waiver has been granted by GSA for that procurement. Very few conditions constitute grounds for waiver of the mandatory use of FTS2000. In those cases, a waiver must be granted by GSA prior to proceeding with the procurement.

Requisitions for telecommunications services are to be processed only if they have been reviewed and cleared by the DAR. Those not cleared, should be returned to the requisitioner for submission to the DAR.

If you have any questions please contact your local DAR or Tom Wilson on FTS 377-4248.

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cc: DARs

MAY 10 1990

This is guidance information on the acquisition of telecommunications services under FTS2000.

FTS2000 is the mandatory source for all telecommunications services offered. By the end of June 1990, all Federal Government FTS locations will have been converted to FTS2000 long distance voice services. In addition to Switched Voice Service, the services are Switched Data Service, Dedicated Transmission Service for Data, Packet Switched Service, FTS Mail, Video Transmission Service, and Switched Digital Integrated Service (ISDN). FTS2000 is a contract for services only, not equipment. For all services under FTS2000, only a Designated Agency Representative (DAR), as assigned by the Department and approved by GSA, may place an order.

Under Public Law 100-440, all Federal agencies are required to use FTS2000 for any of these services, and for any other services which are added to the contract in the future. In all cases where a requirement falls within the scope of FTS2000, it must be acquired through FTS2000. In some cases, only a portion of the requirement is within the FTS2000 scope. In these instances, that portion which fits must be acquired from FTS2000.

The law also applies to renewal of existing contracts. When a contract period expires, even if it has additional option years, it must be reviewed for FTS2000 applicability. As with new requirements, if any portion of the original requirement falls within FTS2000, it must be placed under FTS2000. Contracts and orders must not be placed or renewed until they have been reviewed for possible inclusion under FTS2000.

Very few conditions constitute grounds for waiver of the mandatory use of FTS2000. Only the General Services Administration (GSA) may grant a waiver, and then only after review, concurrence and submission to GSA by the Department.

In order to ensure that telecommunications are properly ordered, all telecommunications procurement requests, regardless of the service being requested, must be reviewed by an appropriate DAR. The DAR will determine if a requirement can be met through FTS2000. If the requirement (or a portion of it) is within the scope of FTS2000, the DAR will complete the appropriate order and place it to FTS2000. If the DAR finds the requirement is not within the scope of FTS2000, the DAR will coordinate with the appropriate telecommunications approving authorities to determine FTS2000 applicability. If it is found to be within the scope of FTS2000, the DAR will sign and forward it to AT&T and GSA. If it is found to be outside the scope of FTS2000, the DAR will state this on the request, sign it, and forward the request to the appropriate procurement office for acquisition.

Attached is a list-of the DARs for your operating unit. Only they may place an order for FTS2000 services.

We ask that you give this memorandum wide distribution within your operating unit, go that those individuals who have responsibility for ordering telecommunications services receive notice of the need for DAR review. If you need further information or would like to discuss this, please call your DAR or Bill Frye on 377-3501.

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