Tech

FirstNet extends bid deadline two weeks

Firms that want to bid to deploy a public safety broadband network across the U.S. have an extra two and a half weeks to do so, the First Responder Network Authority known as FirstNet announced Monday.

By Shaun Waterman

April 11, 2016

Firms that want to bid to deploy a public safety broadband network across the U.S. have an extra two and a half weeks to do so, the First Responder Network Authority, known as FirstNet, announced Monday.

The deadline for responses to the request for proposals issued by FirstNet back in January has been extended from May 13 to May 31, the authority said in a statement.

“Our decision to extend the deadline for final proposals was driven by both the volume and nature of the capability statements as well as requests for extensions we’ve received from interested parties,” FirstNet CEO Mike Poth said. “We believe this date affords prospective offerors the opportunity to fine tune their proposals and finalize any teaming arrangements and/or subcontractors, and we remain on track to award by Nov. 1.”

The $7 billion Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network is envisaged as a seamless next generation network for voice, messaging, video and other data for local, state, regional, tribal and federal first responders.

The deadline change came as part of a clarifying amendment to the RFP FirstNet released Monday.