Swenson says FirstNet received bids, system cannot be ‘just any other network’
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Swenson says FirstNet received bids, system cannot be ‘just any other network’
Swenson said she is glad that FirstNet opted for an objectives-based RFP instead of a traditional procurement approach that dictates requirements to potential bidders.
“If we had gone on a requirements-based RFP, I don’t think we would have received the innovation and the partnering that we see today in terms of the responses that we’ve received,” she said.
Now that the bids are in, Swenson said the FirstNet evaluation is acting quickly to review the proposals. FirstNet officials have said they hope to sign a 25-year deal with the selected contractor by Nov. 1.
One priority for FirstNet during the upcoming year will be to communicate with governors in states and territories about the FirstNet proposition before they make the critical choice whether to pursue the “opt-out” alternative of building the radio access network within their jurisdiction instead of having FirstNet do it.
“We want to make sure that the governors and their staffs have everything they need to make an informed decision,” Swenson said. “I’ve said it from the very beginning: the governors can make any decision that they want, but I want them to make it based on fact and not on misinformation.”
Swenson also reiterated a statement that she first made to Congress early last year when asked whether the network would be built by 2022.
“I still feel that if we don’t get this network deployed, we should all be shot,” she said—a statement that was greeted with applause and laughter from the audience.
I believe it would be very
I believe it would be very hard for FirstNet to provide credible proof of a reputable public safety group that called for or lobbied for a FirstNet like the one that exists and operates as such today.
One that promotes the total federalization of local and state public safety communications – initially through data services. LMR and NexGen to follow.
One that selects a Partner with no direct input from state and local public safety.
One that has committed to a secret process for selecting the “Partner” and with no openness even after the award and contract for public access to the data pertaining to the submittals.
One that initially promised “every square inch of America will be covered.” Over promise under perform-good job.
Notice to the FirstNet Board of Directors: What public safety wanted was spectrum dedicated to their use as was the Land Mobile Radio spectrum; and the ability to organically grow the system they needed according to their needs not one mandated by an industry laden Board of Directors.
The federal government took the opportunity to lock down control over public safety communications and called it FirstNet.
The private sector worked it for the spectrum value.
Public Safety is cover for a massive exchange of spectrum with the foxes in the hen house.