Alabama changes RFP deadline for public-safety LTE network to Jan. 31
Alabama initially chose to delay the RFP deadline after multiple potential bidders indicated that they would not participate unless proposals were due after the FirstNet nationwide contractor was named. Rivada Networks expressed interest in the Alabama RFP after stating late last year that it would not bid on state RFPs until FirstNet made its nationwide contractor announcement.
"We lifted our moratorium after they [FirstNet] delayed it indefinitely," Rivada Networks spokesman Brian Carney said during an interview with IWCE's Urgent Communications. "They missed their deadline and they downselected against us, so we no longer feel bound by our pledge not to bid on states. That held true while we were still in the competition.
"They kicked us out, at least for the moment. Even though we're hopeful of getting back in, we owe it to our employees and our shareholders to pursue every opportunity and not just take it for granted that we'll get back in."
Alabama is one of two states with an ongoing RFP seeking a potential vendor to build a statewide public-safety RAN in preparation for the “opt-out” decision that is anticipated later this year. Arizona has delayed the due date for its RFP multiple times, with the current proposal deadline being March 30.