Minutes of Pre-Quotation Conference_19NP4026Q0010_Mobile Telecomm. Services

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains the minutes from a pre-quotation conference held on April 22, 2026, for Solicitation 19NP4026Q0010 for Mobile Telecommunications Services at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal. The purpose was to clarify contractual and technical requirements.

• Solicitation Package: Bidders must follow instructions and submit all required information to avoid disqualification.

• Key Requirements: The solicitation details services for 555 SIM cards, including specific data, local call, SMS, and international calling/roaming allowances for different tiers of SIM cards.

• Critical Compliance: Proof of authorization to operate in Nepal, a valid Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) license, and compliance with Nepali laws are mandatory.

• Offer Submission: Offers must include specific information such as a Corporate Account Manager, evidence of established business, SAM registration, SIM/eSIM provisioning capabilities, a 24/7 support plan, past performance references, a strategic plan, network coverage maps, international roaming contracts, CUG plans, and a price list for accessories.

• Evaluation: Award will be made to the lowest priced, acceptable, responsible offeror based on technical capability and compliance with RFQ terms.

• VAT: Value Added Tax (VAT) must be shown as a separate line item.

• C-SCRM Questionnaire: Must be completed for evaluation if software is provided.

• Corporate "Account" Manager: Refers to the primary contact for coordinating services and issues related to the CUG Account, not financial management.

• Sister Agencies: Will be included in the Closed User Group (CUG) but may have separate purchase order contracts.

• The quotation due date is May 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM local time. Late offers will not be considered.

• Offers must be submitted exclusively to KTMContracts@state.gov, with specific subject line requirements.

• Failure to meet any Go/No-Go mandatory criteria (SIM/eSIM Provisioning, NTA License, C-SCRM Forms) will result in proposal rejection.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Request for Quotations (RFQ) is for Mobile Telecommunications Services for the U.S. Embassy Kathmandu. The government intends to award a contract or purchase order to the responsible company offering the lowest price.

• Mobile Telecommunications Services including voice, data, SMS, caller ID, missed call alerts, balance check.

• International calling and roaming services upon written request.

• Nationwide network coverage (at least 90% of the country's population).

• Establishment of a Closed User Group (CUG) for Embassy numbers, with potential inclusion of affiliated agencies.

• Unlimited credit limit for the Embassy.

• Free SIM card/eSIM replacement.

• Dedicated corporate account manager fluent in English and Nepali.

• Service center within a 3 km radius of the Embassy premises.

• Round-the-clock (24/7) technical and customer support.

• Corporate portal/customer-care account for managing Embassy numbers.

• Service outage notifications and alternate plan approval.

• Telecommunications licensing requirement: Contractor must be licensed by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA).

• Firm fixed-price purchase order.

• One-year base period with four one-year options.

• Queries must be submitted by 04:59 pm Kathmandu local time on 24-Apr-2026.

• Quotations are due by 04:59 pm Kathmandu local time on 11-May-2026.

• Quotations must be submitted electronically to KTMContracts@state.gov in MS-Word, MS-Excel, or Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format, not exceeding 20MB per file.

• Award will be made to the lowest priced, acceptable, responsible offeror.

• Evaluation will consider technical compliance (Section 3 requirements), contractor responsibility (FAR 9.1), and price.

• The acquisition is unrestricted.

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

• Required submission items include: SF-1449, Section 1 (Pricing), Section 5 (Representations and Certifications), additional information from Section 3, Proof of SAM Registration, and the Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM) Questionnaire and/or State Department Secure Software Development Attestation Form.

• Pricing must be in NPR and/or USD.

• Value Added Tax (VAT) is not included in CLIN rates and will be priced as a separate line item.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice for Mobile Telecommunications Services to be provided to the U.S. Mission in Nepal. The contractor will be responsible for providing all necessary managerial, administrative, and direct labor personnel, along with tools, equipment, and supplies to perform the services.

• Provision of Mobile Telecommunications Services.

• Contractor must be a licensed mobile telecommunications service provider authorized by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA) to operate cellular network services within Nepal.

• Anticipated performance period: one base year with three one-year option periods.

• Contract type: Firm Fixed Price.

• The solicitation is not yet issued but will be launched on the SAM.gov website.

• Quotations will be considered, and the Government may award the contract based on the initial offer without discussion.

• Quotations must be submitted electronically to KTMContracts@state.gov.

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

• File size limit: 20MB per file; multiple emails are permitted for larger submissions.

• All responsible sources may submit a quotation.

• Contractors must be registered in the SAM (System for Award Management) Database prior to contract award.

• The place of contract performance is U.S. Embassy Nepal, 2976 Narayan Gopal Marg, Brahma Cottage, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu-3, Nepal.

• Points of contact for inquiries are Albina Collingham and Vineet Chaudhary.