EV00017856_Questions___Answers.pdf

This is a Questions and Answers document from the City of Boston's procurement process for EV00017856, a technology upgrade project for the Boston Fire Department's Mobile Data Communication Systems on fire apparatus. The bid start date is August 31, 2026, with a bid opening scheduled for September 22, 2026. The project involves the procurement and deployment of cellular routers and device management platforms for both existing fire department vehicles and new vehicles moving forward. Key specifications clarified through the Q&A process include that the device management platform will remain on-premises due to existing VPN configuration and backup requirements, new antennas will be installed rather than reusing existing equipment, and the department seeks to minimize peripheral equipment while maintaining durable, secure, and reliable 5G connectivity.

The Boston Fire Department has confirmed its preference for the latest WiFi 7 technology rather than the outdated WiFi 6 standard, contingent upon compatibility with the department's Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) interface. The department requires stringent security protocols, including FIPS 140-3 and SOC2 Type 2 certifications, which are already established in their current environment. The procurement contact is listed as Boston City Hall, Room 808, with inquiries directed to 617-635-3937 or 617-635-4564. No pricing information, set-asides, incumbents, or funding sources are specified in this Q&A document.