Set-Aside Pulse: DISA RFQ for 10 Gbps Internet Service in Washington, D.C. (DITCO Basic Agreement required)

Executive takeaway

This amended small-business set-aside RFQ is for high-capacity (minimum 10 Gbps upload/download) internet service in Washington, D.C. The practical headline: if you don’t already have a DITCO Basic Agreement, you likely can’t even access the attachments—so bid/no-bid starts with eligibility and controlled-access approval.

What the buyer is trying to do

The buyer is seeking a commercial internet service solution that can be provided, installed, and maintained with a minimum of 10 Gbps symmetrical speeds in Washington, D.C. The notice states this is a combined synopsis/solicitation using FAR Subpart 12.6 procedures and is being run as a request for quote (RFQ). Pricing is expected to be structured as monthly recurring charges and/or non-recurring charges.

Important access constraint: attachments are only available to entities with a DITCO Basic Agreement, and access requests must include the requestor’s UEI or CAGE code for verification.

What work is implied (bullets)

• Provide internet service meeting at least 10 Gbps up and download speeds in Washington, D.C.
• Perform installation activities required to deliver the service.
• Maintain the internet service for the period described in the attached solicitation (verify in attachments).
• Prepare pricing broken into monthly recurring charges and non-recurring charges, as applicable.
• Build CLIN structure with item descriptions, quantities, and units of measure as indicated in the IQO Deskbook (verify details in attachments).
• Comply with the provisions/clauses identified in the DITCO Basic Agreement and the attached RFQ.
• Obtain and use the controlled-access solicitation package via DISA’s mechanisms (attachments / IDEAS portal) once eligibility is verified.

Who should bid / who should pass (bullets)

• Should bid
  • Small businesses under NAICS 517121 (size standard noted as 1,500 employees in the notice) that already have a DITCO Basic Agreement.
  • Telecommunications/internet service providers that can support a high-bandwidth, symmetrical 10 Gbps requirement and can price cleanly as MRC/NRC.
  • Firms comfortable responding to a combined synopsis/solicitation where the notice is the only solicitation and a separate written solicitation will not be issued.
• Should pass
  • Firms without a DITCO Basic Agreement (controlled access will likely prevent obtaining the full RFQ/attachments).
  • Providers that cannot deliver the required 10 Gbps minimum speeds or cannot support installation + ongoing maintenance.
  • Teams that cannot meet the quote submission timeline stated in the notice/attachments (verify exact requirements in attachments).

Response package checklist (bullets; if unknown say 'verify in attachments')

• Confirmation your entity has a DITCO Basic Agreement and can access controlled attachments.
• Access request details including UEI or CAGE (required for verification).
• Completed RFQ response per the attached package (verify in attachments).
• Line-item pricing clearly identified as monthly recurring charges and/or non-recurring charges.
• CLINs with descriptions, quantities, and units of measure aligned to the IQO Deskbook (verify in attachments).
• Acknowledgement of applicable provisions/clauses incorporated via the DITCO Basic Agreement and the attached RFQ (verify in attachments).
• Any technical/service description, service dates, and place of performance details required by the RFQ (verify in attachments).

Pricing & strategy notes (how to research pricing; do not invent pricing numbers)

This RFQ explicitly expects pricing to be separated into recurring and non-recurring components. To build a defensible quote:

• Use the attachments to confirm exactly what must be priced as MRC versus NRC (verify in attachments).
• Check whether the RFQ specifies any required CLIN layout from the IQO Deskbook, then mirror it so evaluators can compare quotes quickly.
• Research recent DISA/DISA-telecom awards for similar PSC DG11 and NAICS 517121 structures to understand typical line items and how MRC/NRC are presented (do not assume rates; use prior award documentation as a format and reasonableness check).
• Plan for the administrative reality that evaluators may treat unclear separation of MRC/NRC as a quote quality issue—make the price volume easy to audit.

Subcontracting / teaming ideas (bullets)

• If you have a DITCO Basic Agreement but limited local delivery capability, team with a partner that can support installation/maintenance in Washington, D.C. (ensure the prime can still meet all RFQ terms—verify in attachments).
• If you are a qualified small business but need specialized telecom implementation support, consider subcontracting discrete installation tasks while keeping the service contract and pricing structure (MRC/NRC) coherent.
• If you do not have DITCO Basic Agreement access, consider whether partnering as a subcontractor to an eligible prime is feasible (the prime must be able to retrieve and control the solicitation package).

Risks & watch-outs (bullets)

• Controlled access gating item: attachments only available to entities with a DITCO Basic Agreement.
• Access request rejection risk: requests submitted without UEI or CAGE will be rejected.
• Compressed timeline risk: the notice lists a near-term quote due date/time; confirm submission requirements and timing in the RFQ attachments.
• Format compliance: provisions and clauses are identified in the DITCO Basic Agreement and the attached RFQ—missing a required representation/acknowledgement can make a quote noncompliant (verify in attachments).
• Pricing presentation: failure to clearly separate MRC vs NRC may make the quote difficult to evaluate.
• IDEAS portal mechanics: solicitation is also available via IDEAS; ensure your team can access and download the package through the specified portal workflow.

Related opportunities

• AMENDED - Provide, install, and maintain an internet service (10 Gbps) in Washington, D.C.
• SYNOPSIS - Mount Assembly, Road NSN: 2350-01-652-2072
• 25--BLADE, WINDSHIELD WI (NSN 2540997947495)
• 25--GUARD, SPLASH, VEHICU (NSN 2540013773121)
• 25--BLADE, WINDSHIELD WI (NSN 2540014745929)
• EPDM Sponge Tubing
• Catholic Mass Music Service

How to act on this

1. Confirm your eligibility: small business under NAICS 517121 and DITCO Basic Agreement holder.
2. Request controlled access using your UEI or CAGE, then download the RFQ package (including via IDEAS) and read it end-to-end.
3. Build your quote around the required CLIN structure and clearly separate MRC and NRC line items (verify the required format in attachments).
4. Submit your quote by the stated due date/time in the notice/attachments.

If you want a second set of eyes on compliance, quote structure, and a practical bid/no-bid recommendation for this controlled-access DISA telecom buy, engage Federal Bid Partners LLC.