Mobile Phone Services

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to inquiries received via email following a pre-proposal conference and site visit held on March 27, 2026, for Solicitation RFQ No.: 19AR2026Q0008 for mobile phone services at the U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires.

• Contract Term Reduction: The contract term can be reduced to two years. Amendment 0001 contains updated information regarding the period of performance and pricing charts.
• Line Migration: If existing cellphone lines need to be migrated, the 24-hour migration timeframe specified in paragraph 6 of the solicitation is not applicable. Offerors must specify their standard industry lead time for migrated lines.
• Offer Submission: Offers must be submitted as outlined in the original solicitation document; submission via OpenSpam (TM) is not permitted.
• Additional Taxes: The "Additional Taxes" line in the pricing charts is no longer applicable due to the elimination of those taxes. Amendment 0001 includes updated pricing charts reflecting this change.
• Service Line Allocation: Currently, 15 out of 418 lines (approximately 3.5%) are data-only, requiring SIM/eSIM connectivity. The remaining lines are assigned to smartphones. This allocation may fluctuate based on needs.

Several aspects of the solicitation have been clarified or updated, including contract term, line migration procedures, and pricing details. Bidders should refer to Amendment 0001 for revised information on the period of performance and pricing charts. The submission method remains as originally stated in the solicitation.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to inquiries received via email following a pre-proposal conference and site visit for Solicitation RFQ No. 19AR2026Q0008, concerning mobile phone services for the U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires.

• Contract Term & Pricing: The contract term can be reduced to two years. Amendment 0001 provides updated period of performance and pricing charts. (Questions #1 & #5)
• Line Migration: For migrated lines, the 24-hour migration time specified in paragraph 6 of the solicitation is not applicable. Offerors must specify the industry standard lead time for migrated lines. (Question #2)
• Offer Submission: Offers must be submitted as outlined in the solicitation document. OpenSpam (TM) is not an acceptable submission method. (Question #3)
• Pricing Charts: The "Additional Taxes" line in the pricing charts is no longer applicable due to tax elimination. Amendment 0001 includes updated pricing charts. (Question #4)

This Q&A document, along with Amendment 0001, clarifies key aspects of the solicitation, including contract duration, line migration procedures, submission methods, and pricing chart applicability. Bidders should review Amendment 0001 for updated details.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies the solicitation by:

• Replacing the "Period of Performance" section (Paragraph II) with new details.

• Replacing the "Pricing" section (Paragraph III) with new details.

• Deleting the FAR clause 52.217-9, "OPTION TO EXTEND THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT (MAR 2000)" from Section 2 and replacing it with updated text.

• Deleting the first paragraph in Section 4 and replacing it with new text.

• Section 1: Period of Performance and Pricing.

• Section 2: FAR clause 52.217-9.

• Section 4: Initial paragraph regarding contract establishment.

• The "Period of Performance" is now a one-year base period with one one-year option to renew.

• The "Pricing" section details Value Added Tax (VAT) and provides CLINs for the Base Year (CLIN 0001) and Option Year 1 (CLIN 1001), including minimum and maximum order amounts for each period. It also includes pricing information for a 6-month "Option to Extend Services" (CLIN 4001) for evaluation purposes only.

• The updated FAR clause 52.217-9 states the contract duration, including options, shall not exceed two (2) years.

• The revised Section 4 clarifies the government's intent to establish a single indefinite quantity contract with a one-year base year plus one 12-month option, to be awarded based on a comparative evaluation of price and other factors.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a Request for Quotations (RFQ) for mobile phone services for the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The government intends to award a contract to the responsible offeror representing the best value through a comparative evaluation process.

• Provision of complete mobile telephone services for the U.S. Embassy, utilizing approximately 450 lines.

• Services include: Calls within Argentina, International Calls, International Roaming, Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Unlimited WhatsApp, SMS Messaging, Voice Mail, 24-hour Customer Service, and Detailed Billing of Calls Made.

• The contractor must ensure high-quality, uninterrupted service with no static.

• Network problems must be remedied immediately and reported to the COR.

• No user shall be able to subscribe to digital services themselves.

• 90% local network coverage around Argentina, with special consideration for urban areas and main traffic routes.

• 24-hour international connectivity with the USA, European countries, and worldwide.

• Extensive international roaming connectivity, particularly within Latin America and the USA.

• Internet connection via WAP.

• Unlimited WhatsApp and SMS messaging.

• Voice Mail services in English and Spanish.

• 24-hour customer service and technical support.

• Online management console for lines and accounts administration.

• Monthly breakdown of calls by individual numbers.

• Extensive and reliable data service connectivity.

• Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) Questionnaire and State Department Secure Software Development Attestation Form are required.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Period of Performance: One-year base period with three one-year option periods.

• Minimum Order Guarantee (Base Year): ARS 40,000,000.00

• Maximum Order (Base Year): ARS 500,000,000.00

• Minimum Order Guarantee (Option Year 1): ARS 50,000,000.00

• Maximum Order (Option Year 1): ARS 600,000,000.00

• Minimum Order Guarantee (Option Year 2): ARS 65,000,000.00

• Maximum Order (Option Year 2): ARS 750,000,000.00

• Minimum Order Guarantee (Option Year 3): ARS 80,000,000.00

• Maximum Order (Option Year 3): ARS 950,000,000.00

• Value Added Tax (VAT): 21%, applied to CLINs 1, 2, and 3.

• Quotations are due by May 19, 2026, at 12:00 hours (local time).

• Submission Method: Electronically to BNS-Procurement@state.gov.

• File Format: MS-Word 2007/2010, MS-Excel 2007/2010, or Adobe Acrobat (pdf).

• File Size Limit: 30MB per file; larger submissions must be in separate files/emails.

• Required Documents: SF-1449, Section I (Pricing), Section 5 (Representations and Certifications), additional information as required in Section 3, Proof of SAM Registration, C-SCRM Questionnaire, and State Department Secure Software Development Attestation Form.

• Evaluation: Comparative evaluation based on technical factors, past performance, and price. Not a LPTA or trade-off process.

• Pre-quotation Conference: Virtual via Microsoft Teams on Friday, March 27, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:30 hours (local time). Contact Cristian Minotti at BNS-Procurement@state.gov by March 25, 2026, for details.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to proposal submission.

• NAICS Code: 517112 (Telecommunications carriers, cellular telephone).

• Proposals must be in English.

• Incomplete proposals will not be accepted.

• The contract is valid only for official Government needs.