Network Connection During Sleep

Is it possible to request maintenance of a network connection during sleep ala certain built-in OS X apps? I am writing an OS X GUI app that I would like to run indefinitely and continue making network requests even while the computer is put to sleep. This is for a non-app store, privately distributed app.

I also have similar requirement. However, the possible solution I can see is avoid OS to go into sleep.

Network Connection During Sleep
 
 
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