Telecommunication Services
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE.AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND.FA3010 81 CONS CC · Response deadline: Mon, 19 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Air Force is soliciting bids for Telecommunication Services through Air Education and Training Command, Contracting Squadron. NAICS code 517111 corresponds to Wired Telecommunications Carriers, which covers establishments providing local and long-distance voice communication services, data transmission, or Internet access over wireline or fixed wireless infrastructure. This type of contract typically involves providing reliable, secure communications infrastructure to support military operations, training activities, or administrative functions at a government installation. Given the Air Education and Training Command context, the requirement likely supports pilot and technical training operations where continuous connectivity is mission-critical. See the solicitation for the complete statement of work, specific service levels, and any classified or unclassified network requirements.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Dept of the Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, FA3010 81 CONS CC |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | FA301027Q0001 |
| NAICS | 517111 (Wired Telecommunications Carriers) |
| Set-aside | No Set Aside Used |
| Response deadline | October 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM CT |
| Place of performance | Biloxi, MS |
The seventeen-day response window from posting to deadline is tight for telecommunications proposals, which often require technical diagrams, past performance documentation, and pricing for multiple service categories.
Who can bid
This is a full and open competition with no set-aside restrictions. Any qualified business—large or small—may submit a proposal. However, NAICS 517111 has a Small Business Administration size standard of 1,500 employees, meaning firms at or below that threshold are considered small for this procurement. Small businesses without telecommunications-specific experience should evaluate whether they can meet the technical requirements or partner with a prime contractor. Large telecommunications carriers and specialized defense communications contractors will likely compete aggressively given the sole-source nature of many military telecom requirements.
How to put together a competitive bid
For telecom services solicitations, bidders should focus on network reliability and security credentials. Ensure your proposal addresses:
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Define uptime guarantees, mean time to repair, and escalation procedures. Government buyers prioritize mission assurance over lowest price in communications contracts.
- Cybersecurity compliance: Verify whether your network architecture meets DoD cybersecurity requirements, including NIST SP 800-171 or CMMC levels if the solicitation requires handling controlled unclassified information.
- Past performance: Document comparable Air Force, other military branch, or federal civilian agency telecommunications contracts. Performance at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi or nearby installations would be particularly relevant.
- Transition and continuity of service: Detail how you'll migrate from any incumbent provider without service interruption. Government telecom transitions are high-risk events; your plan should minimize downtime.
- Pricing structure: Clarify whether pricing is usage-based, flat-rate, or hybrid. Break out recurring vs. non-recurring charges transparently.
Given the compressed timeline, request the solicitation immediately upon identification and assign proposal team roles to parallel-track technical, past performance, and pricing volumes.
Next steps
- Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov by searching FA301027Q0001 to obtain the statement of work, evaluation criteria, and mandatory clauses.
- Note the deadline: All proposals must be received by October 19, 2026 at 10:00 AM Central Time—late submissions are not typically accepted in Air Force acquisitions.
- Attend any pre-proposal conferences or submit questions by any deadline specified in the solicitation documents.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →