Massachusetts Wireless Public Safety Broadband Radio Access Network Notice of Intent to Post RFR

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS) Public Safety Broadband Office intends to publish a Request for Response (RFR) for a partner to build, deploy, operate, and maintain a statewide Public Safety LTE Radio Access Network (RAN) in Massachusetts. This RAN must meet the requirements and fully interoperate with the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) National Public Safety Broadband Network. The RFR will cover urban, suburban, and rural areas to meet public safety's information and communications technology needs. This is an announcement only, and the official RFR will be posted in the next few months, with responses required to be submitted online via COMMBUYS, the Commonwealth's official procurement system. Bidders are responsible for monitoring the site for any amendments and the complete RFR posting.

The intent of this RFR is to provide an alternative to the anticipated FirstNet State Plan and to support the Governor's decision on the implementation of the wireless public-safety broadband network in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has not yet decided whether to accept FirstNet's Massachusetts State Plan or to opt-out and pursue its own RAN deployment. The RFR will be consistent with the objectives of the FirstNet RFP, and the successful bidder will be responsible for building, deploying, operating, and maintaining the statewide RAN. No set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond were provided, and the budget range for this opportunity was not disclosed.