FirstNet delays draft RFP, cites finance committee questions

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) said it would delay the release of a draft RFP due to questions that arose in its finance committee. On March 24, four FirstNet committees met in separate sessions: governance and personnel; technology; outreach; and finance. Board members were expected to approve a complete draft RFP, but on March 25, the full board met and said it would delay a vote to issue the RFP until a later date.

TJ Kennedy, acting executive director at FirstNet, said he was pleased with progress made thus far across the board, from outreach to acquisition. "We just want to make sure we have all the details put together, and you'll be seeing that come out over the next several weeks," he said. The board is expected to next meet via teleconference in the next several weeks. The other committees were okay with the RFP, so once the finance committee's issues are addressed, it can move forward. Stuart Kupinsky, FirstNet's chief counsel, said they couldn't disclose too much about the finance committee's outstanding issues. The committee is dealing with confidential materials related to market research, and revealing too much could jeopardize their standing.