Mike Poth, CEO of the First Responder Network Authority, has testified before the members of a Senate Commerce subcommittee to discuss the procurement process for the proposed national public safety broadband network for first responders.Poth said in his testimony Tuesday that FirstNet’s source selection team has started the evaluation of bids from interested vendors after it closed the request for proposals process for the NPSBN program May 31.
He told lawmakers that FirstNet plans to make a contract award by Nov. 1 once it completes the review of proposals through a multi-phased approach.
FirstNet also aims to present to state and territorial governors in 2017 the final versions of “state plans†that detail how FirstNet plans to deploy the Radio Access Network in each state and territory, Poth said.
He also noted that FirstNet has conducted follow-up meetings with single point of contacts and public safety officials in 54 states and territories to discuss planning and implementation issues related to the proposed national wireless network during the second phase of the consultation process.
Poth also offered an update on FirstNet’s data collection efforts, outreach programs with tribal communities and consultation process with public safety personnel at federal agencies.
