Verizon (News - Alert) Business has been selected by the U.S. Postal Service to provide an estimated $16.4 million worth of network services under the federal Networx Universal communications program.

 

Verizon Business (News - Alert) is providing the new services under the U.S. General Services Administration's Networx Universal contract. Previously, Verizon Business had provided voice services to the agency under the GSA's (News - Alert) Federal Telecommunications Service 2001 contract, the predecessor to the Networx program.

 

Networx is among the largest federal telecommunication contracts ever awarded by the GSA, providing federal agencies with a common vehicle for purchasing a comprehensive set of networking and technical services.

 

As per part of 10-year agreement valued at $10 million, Verizon Business would be the primary provider of long-distance and calling-card services for the agency's nearly 166,000 lines serving 34,000 locations nationwide.

 

The company in addition to this was awarded a new task order valued at $6.4 million to upgrade about 100 data circuits to an Internet protocol (IP) network based on multi-protocol label switching (MPLS).

 

"Verizon Business has a long history of working with the Postal Service to meet its critical mission," said Susan Zeleniak, group president, Verizon Federal, a sales organization within Verizon Business dedicated to serving federal government customers, in a statement.

"Whether employees are processing the mail or picking up the phone, Verizon Business is looking forward to building on that relationship in the decade ahead."

 

Verizon Business has a long history with the Postal Service. Through the U.S. Postal Service Managed Network Services (MNS) contract, awarded in 1997, the company established one of the world's largest private networks for the Postal Service.

 

The network in addition to helping the Postal Service efficiently and cost-effectively deliver mail also helps the Postal Service inform and manage its nearly 700,000 employees, one of the largest civilian workforces in the nation.

 

Postal Service employees use the network to store and distribute documents, stay current on the latest internal developments, and augment customer service efforts at more than 37,000 Postal Service locations.

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications, operates the world's most connected public IP network and uses its industry-leading global-network capabilities to offer large-business and government customers an unmatched combination of security, reliability and speed.

 

The company integrates advanced IP communications and information technology (IT) products and services to deliver leading enterprise solutions including managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services.