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START AN INTERNET SERVICE WITH A MINIMUM OF 250 MEGABIT UP AND DOWNLOAD SPEEDS IN INDIANA.

DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY (DISA).TELECOMMUNICATIONS DIVISION- HC1013 · Response deadline: Mon, 16 Nov 2026

What the government is buying

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is seeking a contractor to start internet service with minimum speeds of 250 megabits per second for both upload and download in Indiana. DISA, the Department of Defense's IT combat support agency, manages the defense information network and provides telecommunications infrastructure for military and national security operations.

NAICS code 517121 classifies this as Wired Telecommunications Carriers work, which encompasses providing local and long-distance voice and data transmission using wired infrastructure. This typically involves establishing, maintaining, and managing dedicated network connections rather than consumer-grade broadband service.

The requirement specifies symmetrical speeds—equal upload and download capability—which is standard for enterprise and government telecommunications contracts where bidirectional data flow is critical for applications like video conferencing, file sharing, and real-time communications.

Key facts

Who can bid

This opportunity is set aside entirely for small businesses under the Small Business Set Aside - Total program. To compete, your business must:

• Meet the Small Business Administration's size standard for NAICS 517121 (see the solicitation for the specific threshold)
• Be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with active status
• Have the necessary SAM representations and certifications

Beyond size eligibility, bidders in wired telecommunications should be prepared to demonstrate capability to deliver dedicated, high-capacity internet service in Indiana. This generally requires either owned infrastructure (fiber, copper, or other wired facilities) or established wholesale agreements with underlying network providers in the relevant geographic area.

How to put together a competitive bid

For telecommunications infrastructure solicitations, DISA will likely evaluate technical capability, price, and past performance. Specific considerations for this opportunity:

Technical proposal: Detail your network architecture and how you'll achieve and maintain the 250 Mbps symmetrical speeds. Specify the type of connection (fiber, coaxial, TDM over copper, etc.), service level agreements for uptime and latency, and network redundancy measures. See the solicitation for any mandated security requirements—DISA contracts typically require DISA STIG compliance, encryption standards, and possible FISMA controls.

Geographic coverage: The place of performance is not in the metadata. Confirm the precise Indiana location(s) and verify your network reaches that area or can be extended cost-effectively. Provide route diversity documentation if required.

Pricing structure: Government telecommunications contracts often use recurring monthly charges with possible non-recurring costs for installation. Structure pricing clearly separating any one-time buildout expenses from ongoing service fees. Include escalation clauses if permitted.

Past performance: Highlight comparable government or commercial contracts for dedicated internet access, particularly DOD or DISA experience. Be prepared with CPARS references or commercial equivalent ratings.

Security clearance requirements: DISA facilities and systems often require cleared personnel. See the solicitation for specific personnel security requirements and facility clearance needs.

Next steps

1. Read the full solicitation at SAM.gov using solicitation number HC101327QA009
2. Review all technical, security, and contractual requirements in the complete documents
3. Note the firm response deadline: November 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time
4. Confirm your SAM registration is active and your small business size status is current before preparing your offer

View the official notice on SAM.gov →