FirstNet approves 2017 budget

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) Board has approved a budget package to support landmark developments slated for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). This will include the evolution of FirstNet’s public-private partnership and the implementation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network.

The FirstNet Board approved a $6.585bn budget that will support the award of a network contract in FY17 and includes $85m for FirstNet operations.

“This mission-driven budget reflects our goals for the organisation, for the Network and for public safety,” said FirstNet Chair Sue Swenson. “It will drive the achievement of major milestones along our strategic roadmap in what will be a pivotal year for FirstNet, including critical post-award priorities such as state plans and continued outreach to public safety.”

As part of its network contract, FirstNet will contribute 20 MHz of low-band spectrum and up to $6.5bn to enable a partnership for the building and operation of the Network during a 25-year term. FirstNet is in the evaluation phase of the procurement and remains on track for awarding the contract in November.

The board is ensuring that up to $6.5bn will be obligated towards the contract and associated task orders, once awarded. FirstNet intends to pay that amount over the course of the contract as the partner achieves committed network deployment and operational milestones.

“The board’s actions today ensure we are prepared to support our partner(s) on day one and deliver for public safety,” said FirstNet CEO Mike Poth. “This budget also provides us with the flexibility we will need to operationalise, deliver 56 individual state plans and enable public safety adoption of the network. We look forward to having a contract in place and working with our partner to firm up the targeted milestones we outlined [recently], including the delivery of draft and final state plans.”

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Violetkaipa