SSA sought to procure SONET Infrastructure that would allow for the displacement of approximately 127,000 circuits leased from the local exchange carrier (Verizon). These circuits supported numerous voice, data, and video requirements throughout SSA's main campus in Baltimore, Maryland. SSA wanted to enable and control bandwidth requirements on demand. Task assignments included planning, management, installation, testing, and help desk and maintenance support.

GTI designed, engineered, and installed two SONET rings for SSA, to support its main campus and its other Baltimore-Washington locations, including its National Computer Center (NCC). A SONET network infrastructure assures continuous operation by incorporating a self-healing, fiber-optic "ring." GTI installed a bidirectional line-switched self-healing ring (BLSR) and a unidirectional path-switched ring (UPSR).

The BLSR is an OC-48 ring. This installation necessitated negotiating local "right-of-way" between various building lessors and local utilities, which would enable GTI "boring privileges" under a major roadway. These right-of-way negotiations were successfully performed by GTI on behalf of SSA.

The UPSR is an OC-12 ring, because the SONET access for certain locations passed through the Verizon central office, requiring a "Letter of Agency." GTI facilitated the negotiations between SSA and Verizon to obtain the needed approval. As part of this contract, GTI also designed and installed numerous campus-wide outside plants, using single-mode fiber.

All work was performed under a tight schedule and was ready for operation in full compliance with all contract requirements. The successful completion of this project resulted in a favorable return on investment for SSA in less than 17 months.