FirstNet adjusts RFP timetable by two weeks, award target date still set for fourth quarter

FirstNet holds the spectrum license to 20 MHz of prime 700 MHz spectrum known as Band 14. Although Band 14 is expected to provide the primary spectral foundation for the FirstNet system, offerors also can use other spectrum assets—for instance, many nationwide carriers have additional airwaves in the 700 MHz and 1.9 GHz bands—as long as they are leveraged in a manner that meets FirstNet’s statement of objectives.

Offerors’ coverage and capacity elements will be evaluated based on a quantitative approach for the following elements: non-Band 14 area coverage, non-Band 14 population coverage, Band 14 area coverage, Band 14 population coverage and Band 14 network capacity. These elements were identified in the original RFP released last month, but FirstNet yesterday amended the RFP to clarify that these elements “will be weighted equally” in the evaluation process, according to FirstNet’s answer to a question.

In response to other questions, some of the other items that FirstNet clarifies in its first set of answers include:

• FirstNet will be responsible for clearing the Band 14 spectrum of incumbent users;
• FirstNet will not have any input regarding pricing, negotiations and agreements between the selected contractor and non-public-safety entities accessing the network on a secondary basis, as long as the FirstNet statement of objectives for public safety are fulfilled;
• FirstNet will not have any input on the contractor’s negotiations with rural partners, which are required to provide at least 15% of the total rural coverage nationwide;
• There are no limits on the type of customers that the selected contractor can service on a secondary basis utilizing the FirstNet system; and
• FirstNet did not provide a firm timeline for viability assessments to offerors submitting a capability statement, but it did vow to provide this feedback “as soon as practicable upon completion of evaluation of the submissions.”

FirstNet is committed to answering each of the more than 400 submitted questions about the RFP. FirstNet will release answers to groups of questions, but there is not a defined timetable for executing this task.

FirstNet released this infographic to summarize the RFP questions it has received. In a prepared statement, FirstNet CEO Mike Poth said he is encouraged by the response to the RFP.

“We are pleased with the interest and questions we received from industry, states, and public safety regarding the FirstNet RFP,” said FirstNet Chief Executive Officer Mike Poth. “This is a vital next step in the iterative process as potential offerors work to craft their proposed solutions to deploy the first-of-its-kind wireless network dedicated to first responders, and FirstNet staff are diligently working to answer each question.”