Next Generation 911 Emergency Communication Services

The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance's Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) has issued a Request for Information (RFI #33501-255001) to gather market intelligence for a comprehensive Next Generation 911 (NG911) emergency communications services procurement. The RFI seeks to replace and upgrade Tennessee's existing NG911 infrastructure before the current ESInet/IPSR contract expires in October 2028. The current environment encompasses 100 Emergency Communications Districts serving 119 primary, 16 secondary, and 29 backup Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), processing approximately 3.5 million calls annually. Key technical requirements include a NENA i3-conformant Next Generation Core Services solution, Layer 3 service over Fiber-Based connections, integrated MSRP text-to-911 for all PSAPs, real-time text capabilities, and optional Computer-Aided Dispatch hosting. A pre-response conference is scheduled for February 20, 2025, at 10:00 AM Central Time, with formal responses due by March 12, 2025, at 2:00 PM Central Time. Vendors must demonstrate the ability to provide an interoperable system that can connect with neighboring ESInets and meet the state's current technical capabilities, including 99% PSAP text-to-911 deployment and 96% of 911 authorities achieving an 89% or better address point and road centerline dataset match.

The current NG911 infrastructure is powered by AT&T's ESInet and Next Generation Core Services, with 90% of 911 traffic originating from three major wireless carriers. While the RFI does not explicitly outline set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements, interested vendors should carefully review the technical specifications and current technological ecosystem. The procurement appears focused on comprehensive system capabilities rather than limiting respondents based on enterprise status. Potential vendors will need to demonstrate advanced technological integration capabilities, particularly in handling text-to-911 services, real-time communication technologies, and seamless interoperability with existing emergency communication networks. Although a specific budget range is not disclosed in the available documentation, the complexity of the system and the extensive current infrastructure suggest a significant investment in upgrading Tennessee's emergency communications technology. Vendors should be prepared to provide detailed information about their NG911 solution's scalability, reliability, and ability to meet the state's current and projected emergency communication needs.