NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Request For Public Comment:  Solicitation Concept

NSF is requesting comments on a proposed solicitation covering two
separate projects:  a Network Access Point (NAP) Manager and Routing
Authority (RA) organization; and a provider of very high speed Backbone
Network Services (vBNS).  This draft solicitation is being released to
the public to solicit comments specifically on the scope of NSF's
concept on how the various services can best be provided, including
(but not limited to) the methodology and feasibility of providing
services as proposed.  It is anticipated that a new approach to the
provision of NSFNET Backbone Network Services will help provide for the
continued development and growth of NSFNET and to continue the
transition to a more privatized network.

After consideration of comments received by August 3, 1992, NSF intends
to prepare and release a final program solicitation for the NAP
Manager/RA and the vBNS Provider projects.

To become part of the official record and to guarantee that issues are
addressed through this process, all comments regarding the concepts
contained in this draft solicitation must be submitted to NSF in
writing (paper, facsimile, or electronic mail) and must be received by
3:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, August 3, 1992, at:

National Science Foundation
Division of Networking and Communications Research and 
Infrastructure
1800 G Street, N.W., Room 416
Washington, D.C. 20550

ATTN: G Strawn (NAP Manager/RA and vBNS Provider Comment)

Facsimile:  202-357-0320

Electronic mail:  gstrawn@nsf.gov


This document is available in Postscript form as solicit_comment.ps or
solicit_comment.ps.Z.  An ascii version is available as solicit_comment.ascii.