Offnet QA.pdf

Q1: Should an RFP ultimately result from what FirstNet learns from the RFI responses submitted, who would author that RFP?

A1: The FirstNet Authority is in the preliminary stages of market research and has not finalized any further or future acquisitions regarding this information. However, should a subsequent announcement be required, the FirstNet Authority would author the requirement.

Q2: Would it come from FirstNet with one or more sponsoring agencies, or would a FirstNet customer issue the RFP? That is, what would FirstNet’s role be in that potential RFP?

A2: The FirstNet Authority would author the RFP as the oversite agency of the NPSBN.

Q3: Likewise, should an RFP follow from this RFI, who would the contractual organization(s) be?

A3:The FirstNet Authority is the contractual organization responsible for oversight of the NPBSN.

Q4: Would FirstNet procure products & services on behalf of its customers, or would each customer procure the products & services themselves?

A4: The FirstNet Authority does not have customers. The FirstNet Authority is in a contractual agreement with AT&T who is responsible for building and maintaining the NPSBN. The FirstNet Authority is the oversite function of the contract and the NPSBN.

Q5: If this exercise does result in a subsequent RFP, does FirstNet intend to put pre‐approved products and pricing onto any contract vehicles to streamline the acquisition process? If so, which contract vehicles?

A5: The FirstNet Authority is in the preliminary stages of market research and has not finalized any further or future acquisitions regarding this information.

Q6: Does responding or not responding to the RFI impact any down‐select that might occur for a potential RFP? That is, if a company does not respond to the RFI, are they eliminated from responding to a potential subsequent RFP? Likewise, if a company responds to the RFI, are they automatically included as a recipient of a potential RFP?

A6: This is a preliminary market research Request for Information. There will be no down select from response to this RFI.

Q7: Is FirstNet giving any consideration to products and solutions that exist today that address some of the scenarios described in the RFI?

A7: The FirstNet Authority is interested in emerging technologies under consideration or development.

However, while this RFI is looking to longer term technologies, the FirstNet Authority is not specifically precluding products and solutions that are closer to or in production.

Q8: In Section V, use case #4: are there any requirements for how precise the location data needs to be?

A8: There are no specific accuracy requirements at this time. This is a research phase. Please feel free to state expected accuracy of any solution you may be working.

Q9: In Section VI, question #15: is the supply chain meant for the components of the end user's devices or for the components of the network providing off‐network communications capabilities?

A9: The supply is meant to refer to all components, chip‐sets, software, and other items needed to commercialize and make a solution viable.

Q10: What are the key outcomes and the next steps after the RFI?

A10: The FirstNet Authority has a responsibility to evolve and invest in the network and its capabilities.

The FirstNet Authority is currently in the process of researching technologies and capabilities.

Q11:Can FirstNet provide more information as to the purpose of this RFI and how FirstNet will use the information it receives?

A11: The FirstNet Authority has a responsibility to evolve and invest in the network and its capabilities.

The FirstNet Authority is currently in the process of researching technologies and capabilities.

Q12: Will there be a requirement for solutions to interoperate or integrate with existing AT&T/FirstNet/ NPSBN network? hardware? and applications?

A12: At this state, the FirstNet Authority is in the preliminary stages of market research. At this stage we are researching emerging technologies and their capabilities, elements for any further or future requirements are not yet defined.

Q13: Are you looking for off network technology which can stream video in live, or record and send?

A13: At this state we are researching emerging technologies and their capabilities. The RFI states that we are interested in voice and data service. Please define any capabilities of your solution that may be of interest to FRNA.