NPSTC issues response to FirstNet draft RFP

US public safety comms body the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) has submitted comments to the First Responder Network Authority’s Special Notice, which explains the proposed design and operation of the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).

The draft RFP is extensive and covers many key areas that will be essential in attracting and choosing partner(s) to build out and operate the network.

NPSTC provides its recommendations surrounding certain elements of the draft RFP, especially some of the areas that most directly impact public safety operations.

NPSTC said that in its view, “the biggest challenge is properly balancing specificity in the procurement process with the need for flexibility to adjust policies and operational requirements as experience is gained in actually using the network”.

NPSTC goes on to say that it “appreciates FirstNet’s inclusion of a number of NPSTC Reports and documents in the Draft RFP, including documents on the Broadband Launch Statement of Requirements, Local Control, Priority and Quality of Service, and Public Safety Grade. These NPSTC resources are developed with the involvement of numerous public safety stakeholders and input from communications industry representatives.”

NPSTC said that, in general, each document represents hundreds of hours of work and deliberation to arrive at the best recommendations possible.