FirstNet Board Approves Final Request For Proposal; Release Expected in Early January
On December 9, 2015, the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) convened an open public meeting in which it considered and approved the material terms of its Request for Proposal (RFP). Among other things, the RFP includes a national acquisition approach to building and operating the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). Adoption of the RFP’s key terms represents the culmination of FirstNet’s ongoing efforts to solicit feedback on its draft RFP package, which it released in April 2015.
Over the next two weeks, FirstNet will implement the Board’s final directives and finalize the RFP for release to the public. While the Board did not provide a specific release date, it was suggested that the item will be released to the public in early January.
During the meeting, FirstNet provided a high-level overview of the RFP, noting that the item retains the same 16 objectives initially proffered in the Statement of Objectives FirstNet included in its draft RFP in April 2015. The RFP’s evaluation criteria will include: business management factors; products and architecture; risk; coverage and capacity; value proposition assessments; and past performance. In addition, the RFP is expected to include the following sections:
- Section A: Solicitation, Offer, Award
- Section B: Pricing
- Section C: Statement of Objectives
- Section D: Packaging and Marking
- Section E: Inspection and Acceptance
- Section F: Deliverables and Performance
- Section G: Contract and Task Order Administration
- Section H: Special Contract and Task Order Requirements
- Section I: Contract Clauses
- Section J: List of 26 Attachments
- Section K: Representations and Certifications
- Section L: Instructions, Conditions and Notices to Offerors
- Section M: Evaluation Criteria
Once it releases the RFP, FirstNet anticipates allowing the public some time to read the item and submit any questions. Under FirstNet’s proposed time frame, voluntary capabilities statements would be due in March, with final proposals submitted in May.
