L3 Harris P25 Radio System Core Replacement

The Kenton County Airport Board (KCAB) in Kentucky has issued Invitation to Bid (ITB 26-009-Services) for the replacement of core hardware and software components of its existing L3 Harris P25 Radio System at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. This procurement seeks a qualified contractor to provide all necessary hardware, software, licensing, installation, configuration, integration, testing, and documentation to replace end-of-life core components while maintaining system interoperability and minimizing operational downtime. Specific deliverables include routers, switches, software licenses, site interface equipment, power supplies, oscillators, digital controllers and modules, servers, security software, firewalls, and various console and site-level software licenses organized across console, site, and core categories. The current P25 trunked radio system core, approximately 10 years old and exceeding its recommended 7-year lifespan, no longer supports software and security updates and is incompatible with newly installed Symphony consoles at dispatch positions in the Airport Operations Center. Bidders must provide documentation of authorized Harris Service Center status and proof that all assigned technical personnel have completed L3 Harris P25 Service Training. Questions are due by 11:59 pm on February 26, 2026, with answers posted by March 2, 2026 at 11:59 pm, and proposals must be received electronically by March 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time. Bidders must provide a minimum seven-day advance notice for formal acceptance testing to be conducted in the presence of KCAB staff, with anticipated board approval on March 23, 2026, and contractor selection on April 1, 2026. Pricing must be all-inclusive and firm fixed with delivery FOB Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and bids are valid for 120 days from closing.

Kentucky resident bidder preference applies in accordance with Kentucky state law, and Title VI Civil Rights Act compliance is mandatory for all contractors and subcontractors. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials; however, bidders must demonstrate authorization as an L3 Harris Service Center, effectively restricting competition to qualified Harris partners. The project requires integration with the existing L3 Harris P25 Radio System infrastructure and newly installed Symphony consoles at dispatch positions. The total project budget is $770,000, consisting of $700,000 for equipment purchase and $70,000 for equipment installation, with no contingency allocation. Payment terms are net 30 following invoice submission upon project completion. The critical nature of this procurement is underscored by the significant risk that system failure and inoperability will occur if the core is not replaced, as the legacy core is no longer manufactured and replacement parts are increasingly difficult to acquire.