Alexandria, VA – Today, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) released its much-anticipated Request for Proposals (RFP) for the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN). The RFP takes an objectives-based approach and seeks a comprehensive network proposal covering the entire country in order to yield the most innovative solutions from the private sector. The contract award is estimated for late 2016, with an aggressive timeline for providing advanced, interoperable wireless broadband services to public safety users. The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, whose members will be among the primary users of the NPSBN, actively participated in the public comment opportunities leading up to the RFP.

“Today marks an important milestone toward providing this much-needed network for public safety,” APCO President Brent Lee said. “It appears that FirstNet has crafted an RFP that will speed network deployment, maximize innovation, encourage partnerships, and maintain focus on meeting the evolving needs of public safety communications. I want to commend FirstNet’s staff for their work on this critical effort for our nation’s security.”

APCO Executive Director and CEO Derek Poarch added, “Deployment of the nationwide public safety broadband network remains imperative for our country’s public safety communications professionals, first responders, and the general public. FirstNet’s RFP provides the best opportunity to drive solutions that will deliver on the unique requirements of public safety, including interoperability, coverage, security, resiliency, priority, and local control – just to name a few. We hope that industry leaders, particularly our nation’s wireless service providers, will take a hard look at this RFP and commit to leveraging the fullest extent of their significant expertise and resources to secure the future of our nation’s public safety communications.”

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole.