Solicitation Information
April 27, 2017

RFI# 7551611
TITLE: Rhode Island FirstNet Radio Access Network (RAN) Alternative Plan, Buildout, and
Operations
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: MAY 25, 2017 at 01:00 PM (ET)
Questions concerning this solicitation must be received by the Division of Purchases at
DOA.PurQuestions8@purchasing.ri.gov no later than MAY 8, 2017 at 05:00 PM (ET). Questions
should be submitted in a Microsoft Word attachment. Please reference the RFI# 7551611
on all correspondence. Questions received, if any, will be posted on the Internet as an
addendum to this solicitation. It is the responsibility of all interested parties to download
this information.

Meredith Skelly, Interdepartmental Project Manager
Applicants must register on-line at the State Purchasing Website at www.purchasing.ri.gov
Note to Applicants:
Proposals received without the entire completed Rhode Island Vendor Information Program
(“RIVIP”) generated Bidder Certification Cover Form attached may result in disqualification.

THIS PAGE IS NOT A BIDDER CERTIFICATION COVER FORM

Page 1 of 17

 Table of Contents
SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 3
A.

Instructions and Notifications to Offerors ........................................................................................ 3

SECTION 2. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION................................................................................................... 4
A.

Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 4

B.

Background ....................................................................................................................................... 6

C.

Resultant RFP Contingencies ............................................................................................................ 7

D.

Spectrum Considerations .................................................................................................................. 9

SECTION 3. RFI RESPONSE STRUCTURE ..................................................................................................... 10
A.

Bidder Information.......................................................................................................................... 10

B.

General Requirements .................................................................................................................... 11

C.

Specific Requirements .................................................................................................................... 12

SECTION 4. QUESTIONS AND SUBMISSION ............................................................................................... 15
A.

Questions ........................................................................................................................................ 15

B.

Response Format and Submission .................................................................................................. 15

C.

Presentations .................................................................................................................................. 16

D.

Disclaimer........................................................................................................................................ 16

APPENDIX A. “FirstNet Final Data Collection Report” .............................................................................. 17

Page 2 of 17

 SECTION 1. INTRODUCTION
The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA)/Division of Purchases, on
behalf of the State of Rhode Island, its agencies, quasi-public agencies, institutions
of higher education and municipalities, is soliciting informational proposals from
qualified firms to potentially seek a partner to help build, operate, and maintain a
statewide radio access network (RAN) which connects to and is fully interoperable
with the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) being created by the
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), in accordance with the terms of this
Request for Information and the State’s General Conditions of Purchase, which may
be obtained at the Rhode Island Division of Purchases’ website at
www.purchasing.ri.gov.
This is a Request for Information (RFI). No award will be made as a result of this solicitation.
A. Instructions and Notifications to Offerors
1.

Potential vendors are advised to review all sections of this RFI carefully and to follow
instructions completely, as failure to make a complete submission as described elsewhere
herein may result in rejection of the proposal.

2.

The State invites feedback from the community on any questions posed in this RFI. Please
note it is not a requirement to answer all questions.

3.

Alternative approaches and/or methodologies to accomplish the desired or intended results
of this RFI are solicited.

4.

This is a Request for Information (RFI), and as such no award will be made as a result of this
solicitation.

5.

All costs associated with developing or submitting responses to this RFI, or to provide oral or
written clarification of its content shall be borne by the vendor. The State assumes no
responsibility for any costs.

6.

Responses misdirected to other state locations, or which are otherwise not present in the
Division at the time of opening for any cause will be determined to be late and will not be
considered. For the purposes of this requirement, the official time and date shall be that of
the time clock in the reception area of the Division of Purchases.

7.

Respondents are advised that all materials submitted to the State for consideration in
response to this RFI will not be considered to be Public Records as defined in Title 38, Chapter
2 of the General Laws of Rhode Island. The responses may only be released for inspection
upon RFI once an award of a subsequent procurement has been made, as long as the release
will not place the State at a competitive disadvantage in its sole discretion.
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 8.

Interested parties are instructed to peruse the Division of Purchases website on a regular
basis, as additional information relating to this solicitation may be released in the form of an
addendum to this RFI.

9.

Equal Employment Opportunity (R. I. Gen. Laws § 28-5.1-1, et seq.) – § 28-5.11 Declaration of policy – (a) Equal opportunity and affirmative action toward
its achievement is the policy of all units of Rhode Island state government,
including all public and quasi-public agencies, commissions, boards and
authorities, and in the classified, unclassified, and non-classified services of
state employment. This policy applies to all areas where State dollars are
spent, in employment, public services, grants and financial assistance, and in
state licensing and regulation. For further information, contact the Rhode
Island Equal Employment Opportunity Office, at 222-3090 or via e-mail at
Raymond.Lambert@doa.ri.gov .

10. In accordance with R. I. Gen. Laws § 7-1.2-1, et seq., no foreign corporation, a
corporation without a Rhode Island business address, shall have the right to
transact business in the State until it shall have procured a Certificate of
Authority to do so from the Rhode Island Department of State (401-222-3040).
This is a requirement only of the successful vendor(s).
11. The vendor should be aware of the State’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)
requirements, which address the State’s goal of ten percent (10%) participation
by MBE’s in all State procurements. For further information, visit the website
www.mbe.ri.gov

SECTION 2. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
This RFI outlines the type of information being solicited and response structure requested from
potential respondents for the State’s consideration.
A. Introduction
The State of Rhode Island, through the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is
issuing this request for information (RFI) to potentially seek a partner to help build, operate, and
maintain a statewide radio access network (RAN) which connects to and is fully interoperable
with the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN) being created by the First
Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).
The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (the Act) created FirstNet as an
independent authority within National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA), an agency of the US Department of Commerce (DOC). The law gives FirstNet the authority
to build, operate and maintain the first high-speed, nationwide wireless broadband network
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 dedicated to public safety based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology standards. FirstNet
will provide a single interoperable wireless broadband platform for emergency and daily public
safety communications.
RIEMA is the designated state agency responsible for the NTIA’s State and Local Implementation
Grant Program which supports the State’s involvement in the FirstNet initiative and employs the
State’s FirstNet Single Point of Contact (SPOC). In addition, RIEMA is responsible for the State’s
Interoperable Communications Committee (ICC).
The ICC was created through Rhode Island statute to address the challenges associated with
statewide communications interoperability. The committee comprises every public safety entity
in the State and more specifically their telecommunications liaisons (21 members). As such, the
committee encompasses all the public safety communications expertise in the State and in its
purview, covers various communications technologies including land mobile radio (LMR) and
wireless broadband.
RIEMA is issuing this RFI for the FirstNet Radio Access Network (RAN) Alternative Plan, Buildout,
and Operations to potentially assist the State of Rhode Island in meeting its responsibilities under
the Act. The State is looking for informational proposals on suggested approaches to design,
build, manage, and sustain a state-of-the-art, carrier-neutral, LTE broadband communication
network using licensed FirstNet 20MHz of the 700MHz LTE spectrum dedicated to and controlled
by public safety with the potential to wholesale access to multiple carriers in conjunction with
the State of RI.
There are many stipulations and contingencies in this RFI and of any resultant Request for
Proposal (RFP), as FirstNet is estimating delivering a State Plan in September 2017. From the
date of receipt of the FirstNet Final State Plan, the State of Rhode Island’s Governor will have
90 days to accept the Plan (a.k.a. the “Opt-in” decision) or reject the Plan (a.k.a. the “Opt-out”
decision). The goal of this RFI and any subsequent solicitation is to provide our Governor as
much information as possible to make an educated decision in 4th Quarter 2017.
There are several other contingencies described later in this RFI for vendor consideration. For
any resultant RFP, the State may include contingencies, most important of which is that the
State of Rhode Island will only pursue a contract if it decides to “Opt-out” of the FirstNet State
Plan. The State of Rhode Island will only execute a contract if all the contingencies are met and
successfully negotiates a contract with the selected bidder. Conversely, if the State chooses to
accept the FirstNet State Plan (“Opt-in”), then the State shall not pursue a contract. In the case
of an RFP, if a Vendor is selected, they are required to comply with both federal and state law
related to the Act and hence a thorough understanding of the Act, FirstNet requirements, LTE
Technology, 700 MHz D-Block spectrum policies and rights as well as wireless business models
is mandatory. The State is expecting to issue a subsequent RFP however at the State’s sole
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 discretion. By responding to this RFI the bidder acknowledges the contingencies and accepts
the risks and requirements.
B. Background
The Act created FirstNet and charged it with the responsibility to develop, operate, and maintain
the LTE-based Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).
FirstNet is an independent authority within the NTIA, itself an agency within the United States
Department of Commerce. FirstNet is required to develop the NPSBN in a manner that takes into
account the information provided to FirstNet in the detailed consultation process called for by
the Act and the plans of states, territories, and their respective constituent public safety agencies.
The law gives FirstNet a blueprint for its mission. It outlines processes and guidelines that FirstNet
must follow in building the network. FirstNet is tasked with cost-effectively creating a nationwide
network and providing wireless services to public safety agencies across the country. Through
the assessment of fees, FirstNet must generate sufficient funds to enable the organization to
operate, maintain and improve the network each year.
The NTIA established a State and Local Implementation Grant Program (“SLIGP”) to support the
efforts of states, territories and their respective constituent public safety agencies to prepare the
plans contemplated by the act and to prepare for the consultation process with FirstNet, data
collection activities, and coverage exercises to determine a state’s overall coverage priorities. BY
LAW, THE STATE CANNOT PAY FOR ANY ALTERNATIVE RAN PLAN COSTS USING SLIGP GRANT
FUNDS.
In 2017, FirstNet will submit a draft State Plan and a final State Plan estimated in September 2017
to Rhode Island that proposes the coverage and services being offered by FirstNet in the State.
The State of Rhode Island has actively worked together with FirstNet and the NTIA throughout
the formation of the project, SLIGP grant application, public safety data collection, submission of
coverage objectives and State Plan decision policies and procedures.
Pursuant to receipt of the FirstNet Final State Plan, the State will have 90 days to decide whether
to accept FirstNet’s State Plan proposal to build the state RAN (Opt-In) or pursue an alternate
plan (Opt-Out). In preparation for this complex decision and in order to accelerate the decision
process, the State is exploring all of its options and is intentionally issuing this RFI and a RFP ahead
of having a FirstNet schedule or further details on the contingencies.
The following are the objectives of the State of Rhode Island regarding the creation of a RAN
within the state’s borders which connects to and is fully interoperable with the NPSBN. These
objectives are provided as guidance and may not be the State’s final objectives for this project.
•

Facilitate the deployment of the RAN in the State;

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 •

Assure that the RAN is deployed in a manner that meets all material requirements of the
State, its constituent public safety agencies and other concerned stakeholders in relation
to coverage, capacity, security, reliability, and control;

•

Secure the widest possible adoption by the state’s public safety users;

•

Ensure that the costs of using the RAN are consistent with the objective for the wide
adoption of the NPSBN;

•

Eliminate concerns regarding the financial sustainability of the RAN;

•

Assure that the RAN is technically sustainable and meets new and expanded requirements
issued by FirstNet as they may develop over time;

•

Assure that interoperability is effective both within the borders of the State and between
and among states and territories; and

•

Ensure that the RAN is developed, operated, and maintained in such a manner that the
network and its services substantially enhance first responders’ ability to protect human
life and property and increase first responders’ personal safety.

The State may enter into a public-private partnership as a result of a RFP. The State’s potential
partner in this effort will be a private sector communications technology organization, steeped
in FirstNet awareness including but not limited to the Act, FirstNet requirements, LTE Technology,
700 MHz D-Block spectrum policies and rights as well as wireless business models.
C. Resultant RFP Contingencies
A contract award from a resultant RFP by the State of Rhode Island will be based on criteria,
standards and requirements identified accordingly and such any potential award is dependent
on the following contingencies. If all applicable contingencies are not met, there shall not be a
contract awarded by the state.
1. Governor’s Decision on FirstNet State Plan
FirstNet personnel have been working closely with the Rhode Island team to gather the
State’s requirements and coverage objectives to develop and deliver a network
deployment plan that meets their needs. FirstNet will provide the Governor with a notice
of completion of the request for proposal process; details of the proposed State Plan and
funding level for the State. Upon receipt of the plan, the Governor will have 90 days to
choose whether to accept the plan provided by FirstNet or conduct its own deployment
of a RAN. If the Governor of Rhode Island decides to accept FirstNet’s Plan for the State
(Opt-In), a contract may not be awarded as a result of a RFP.

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 2. FCC Approval
If the Governor decides to opt out, then she is required to notify FirstNet, FCC and the
NTIA. After providing the notification, the State has 180 days to develop and complete
requests for proposals for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the RAN
within the State. The State is required to submit the alternative plan to the FCC that
demonstrates compliance with the FCC Technical Advisory Board Report and
interoperability with nationwide network deployment based on FirstNet network policies.
If the FCC does not approve the state’s alternative plan, a contract may not be awarded
as a result of a RFP.
3. NTIA Approval for Construction Grant and Agreement to Lease Spectrum
If the FCC approves the alternative plan, then the State may apply to the NTIA for a RAN
construction grant and the agreement to lease spectrum. The NTIA will evaluate the
alternative plan to assure that it demonstrates cost-effectiveness, comparable
completion timelines, security, coverage, and quality-of-service (among other things). If
the NTIA does not agree to lease spectrum and/or approve a construction grant, a
contract may not be awarded as a result of a RFP.
4. FirstNet Spectrum Management Lease Agreement (SMLA)
If the NTIA approves the alternative plan and provides a construction grant, then the State
negotiates a SMLA with FirstNet. The FirstNet Board must approve a SMLA for the State
of Rhode Island and its private partner in order for the State to enter into a contract to be
awarded. If FirstNet does not approve a SMLA for the state, a contract may not be
awarded as a result of a RFP.
5. Additional Funding Implications
There are additional funding implications if a state receives approval to build its own RAN:
•

The State must pay any fees associated with using FirstNet core elements

•

Construction grant program specifics are not yet developed

•

The NTIA will determine eligible costs of the grant program, match requirements,
and funding levels

If the state is unable to properly fund the state’s RAN buildout and/or operations, a
contract may not be awarded as a result of a RFP.
6. Collaboration between the Selected Bidder and the State to Ensure Efficient Use of
Appropriate State Infrastructure
A successful contract will include provisions for collaboration between the State of Rhode
Island, its related state governance bodies, and the selected bidder to ensure appropriate
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 and efficient use of the state’s current and/or future broadband and fiber optic
communications infrastructures.
7. Final Contract Approval by RIEMA and Rhode Island Department of Administration
If final contract approval is not obtained from all parties, a contract may not be awarded
as a result of a RFP.
D. Spectrum Considerations
A considerable portion of the economic impetus for NPSBN comes from the value of the 20MHz
tranche of spectrum set aside by Congress in the 700MHz band (“D-Block”). In an opt-out
scenario, the State must negotiate a SMLA with FirstNet. The Act authorizes states that construct
their own networks to enter spectrum leasing agreements with secondary users so long as those
leasing agreements result from a public-private arrangement to construct, manage, and operate
the network. Such agreements may permit users to access network capacity on a secondary basis
for non-public safety services in return for the payment of a spectrum leasing fee. The Spectrum
Act explicitly authorizes states to use “revenue gained by the State from such a leasing
arrangement” for “constructing, maintaining, operating, or improving the radio access network
of the State.” The following questions have yet to be addressed and could impact the State’s
ability to make an award. These questions will be addressed by FirstNet, NTIA and FCC during the
State Plan process.
1. What constitutes authorized use of revenues generated by a state-run 700MHz public
safety network?
If a state opts out of the NPSBN and elects instead to operate its own statewide RAN using
spectrum it leases from FirstNet, it may retain revenues generated by that network and
reinvest them in constructing, maintaining, operating, or improving the state PSBN. What
constitutes authorized use of those revenues?
2. Use of 700 MHz Public Safety Broadband User Fees?
The Spectrum Act does not explicitly authorize states to collect network user fees from
the public safety users of their state PSBNs or to collect lease fees from entities seeking
access to the state’s PSBN equipment or infrastructure (although it does authorize
FirstNet to do so with respect to the nationwide PSBN). However, the Spectrum Act also
does not prohibit states from collecting network use or lease fees, or from reinvesting
revenue generated by such fees back into the state’s PSBN. Does the Spectrum Act require
states to remit such revenues to FirstNet?

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 3. Use of 700 MHz Public Safety Narrowband Spectrum for Public Safety Broadband
Network?
The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) provided licenses to every state to use
12 MHz of 700 MHz narrowband public safety spectrum (769-775 MHz, 799-805 MHz).
Other than authorizing the FCC to allow “flexible use” of the spectrum “subject to such
technical and interference protection measures as the Commission may require,” and
encouraging research into interoperability between 700 MHz broadband and narrowband
networks, the Act makes no mention of these narrowband frequencies.
This suggests that the Act does not restrict in any way the operations of 700 MHz public
safety narrowband licensees, the manner in which they choose to collect revenue, or how
they elect to use such revenue. Moreover, neither the authorizing statute for narrowband
public safety services nor the FCC’s rules for narrowband operations impose restrictions
on the collection or use of revenues associated with the operation of public safety
narrowband networks, other than to require that licensees may not make public safety
services commercially available to the public. Is this interpretation correct?

SECTION 3. RFI RESPONSE STRUCTURE
All bidders should include the following in their RFI responses. Please structure your response
in the order presented below.
A. Bidder Information
1. Organizational Information and Leadership
Bidder should specify the primary contact’s name, title and contact information as
well as the physical office and mailing address of organization. Bidder is to propose
an organizational structure that would be required to complete a project of this
magnitude of their own resources, internal and subcontractors (if applicable), and to
include what resources would be required of the State for an effective partnership.
Describe the types of roles and qualifications that would be needed of the Bidder and
State teams.
2. Organizational Background
Provide a detailed background description of the organization, including:
•
•
•
•

Full company or corporate name, physical address of the headquarters office
and the office that will work with Rhode Island;
How the business is organized (proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC),
parent or subsidiary corporations;
The year in which the company was first organized to do business;
The company's experience in providing services comparable to the type
Page 10 of 17

 •

presented in this RFI;
Other types of services the company provides.

B. General Requirements
1. Acknowledgement Statement
The bidder should submit a statement, signed and dated, with the following: “The
representatives or designees for (name of bidder) have read, understand,
acknowledge, accept and agree to all parts, terms, and conditions of this RFI. [Signed
name, printed name of signee, position with the bidder, and date]”
2. General Statements
Bidders to this RFI should have clear and convincing expertise, experience, and
qualifications as principals in the design, development, financing, implementation,
optimization, testing, and marketing of communications networks and expertise,
experience, and qualifications in relation to commercial and financing transactions in
connection with such communications networks.
Further, bidders should have a clear and well developed understanding of the options
and opportunities available to states or territories relevant to their achieving their
objectives in relation to the NPSBN and should have followed all developments in
relation to FirstNet, the NPSBN and other related updates (i.e. FCC rules) closely.
Bidders should identify and provide copies of such filings, if any, they have made with
government agencies’ seeking information or making inquiries relevant to FirstNet or
the NPSBN.
Also relevant is whether bidders can demonstrate that they recognize the risks
associated with the planning and implementation of the State RAN and have
developed means to assist the state in achieving its objectives and meeting its
responsibilities in relation to the NPSBN. Specifically, the bidder shall answer each of
the following questions:
a. Identify and explain the obstacles in the way of (or risks to) the achievement
of the objectives of the State for this Project;
b. Identify the strategies necessary to clear those obstacles from the path (or
control the risks) to the achievement of the objectives of the State for this
Project;
c. Explain how the bidder’s approach and execution of the scope of work
outlined by the State will lead to execution of the proposed strategies;
d. Identify the procedures, processes, and tools necessary for the proper and
effective
performance
of
the
scope
of
work.
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 C. Specific Requirements
The State of Rhode Island seeks a private sector partner to build, deploy, operate, and
maintain the State’s RAN. The state will provide high-level management oversight and
guidance, but does not wish to take on the roles and responsibilities normally associated with
day to day operations of a complex radio access network. Bidders should provide a proposal
that outlines a potential approach(s) to include the following considerations.
1. Building, Deployment, Operation, and Maintenance of the Rhode Island RAN
Bidders should outline an approach and business model to providing a highly
available, public-safety grade, statewide, interoperable RAN that ensures coverage 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and complies with all technical
requirements referenced in the FirstNet RFP and its attachments, as well as the State
of Rhode Island’s coverage and capacity requirements. The bidder’s approach to
program and business management, including facilitation of the state’s compliance
with the Act and other applicable laws and regulations should be identified.
2. Financial Model and System Sustainability
Bidders should identify a notional financial model that describes how to maximize
government funding and fully leverage FirstNet spectrum to build, deploy, operate,
and maintain the Rhode Island RAN to serve and give priority to public safety and for
secondary use while ensuring a self-sustaining business model for a period of 25 years,
the specified term of the FirstNet RFP. Bidders should include procedures to keep
public safety user fees at or below the current national levels with special
consideration being given for those approaches that reduce or eliminate these costs
for Rhode Island’s public safety community as well as any anticipated financial risks
for the State or the bidder and mitigation steps that will be taken. Bidders should
identify potential models on how or how not to fund the state’s costs related to
project oversight and management, including, but not limited to staffing and related
operational expenses required for appropriate program management. Bidders are
NOT to include any ACTUAL cost proposals or budget/financial models, in the RFI
we are looking for high level concepts/scenarios of how to navigate government
funding with State and Bidder resources ONLY. In a RFP, the State will require more
precise and specific figures at that time as well as address the Bidder’s willingness to
enter into a Covered Lease Agreement (CLA) with FirstNet.
3. Contract Model
Bidders should describe a proposed contract model and considerations to ensure
compliance with Rhode Island’s procurement laws, rules, and regulations.

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 4. Service Availability
Bidders should describe an approach to ensuring broadband service with a minimum
availability of 99.99% as measured in a rolling 12-month period for the State of Rhode
Island including any potential for roaming access to commercial service-provider
networks. Bidders should include their approach to public safety grade services,
including site hardening and high availability even in times of natural disaster or major
public safety events.
5. Service Capacity
Bidders should include a plan to provide appropriate service capacity needed to fully
support Rhode Island’s geographically dispersed public safety users throughout the
life of the contract.
6. Service Quality, Priority, and Preemption
Bidders should provide an approach to QPP as indicated in the 3GPP standards and
the FirstNet RFP and its attachments including the level of priority given to public
safety entities and the methodology behind administering the level of priority.
7. Cybersecurity
Bidders should include an approach to meeting or exceeding the cybersecurity
requirements defined in the FirstNet RFP and its attachments.
8. Service Innovation
Bidders should address an approach to ensuring the evolution of the Rhode Island
RAN as required by FirstNet over the life of the contract. Bidders should also include
any approach designed to exceed the FirstNet requirements.
9. Integration of the Rhode Island RAN into the NPSBN
Bidders should describe how to ensure effective integration of the Rhode Island RAN
into the NPSBN so that users will operate without service interruptions when crossing
service area boundaries. Bidders should refer to the FirstNet RFP and its attachments
when developing their response for this section and should include an approach for
collaboration with FirstNet, FirstNet’s partner, and other opt-out states to achieve
effective integration and interoperability throughout the NPSBN with emphasis on
connectivity to the FirstNet Core.
10. Integration of State and Local Infrastructure
Bidders should describe an approach to integration of state and local infrastructure
within their network design and any issues with integrating next-generation 911. A
successful contract award will require collaboration with and integration of the state’s
current and future education fiber network initiatives. Bidders should demonstrate a

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 plan addressing this requirement.
11. First Responder User Adoption
Bidders should describe an approach to foster statewide adoption of Rhode Island
RAN services by most Rhode Island public safety entities as required by the FirstNet
RFP and its attachments. Bidders should include their approaches to customer care
and Rhode Island RAN marketing in this section as well as the recommended service
plan offerings to public safety entities.
12. FirstNet Device and Applications Ecosystems Integration
Bidders should describe how they will ensure integration with the FirstNet device and
applications ecosystems as detailed in the FirstNet RFP and its attachments.
13. Accelerated Speed to Market
Bidders should include a description of how to meet or exceed FirstNet’s
requirements for accelerated speed to market, as indicated in the FirstNet RFP and its
attachments with emphasis on the Initial Operational Capability/Final Operational
Capability (IOC/FOC) target timeline.
14. Use of State’s 700MHz Narrowband Spectrum
Bidders should describe an approach to leverage the 12MHz of Rhode Island’s 700
MHz narrowband land mobile radio spectrum in the same manner as FirstNet’s
broadband spectrum. The bidder should detail how this Rhode Island RAN option will
serve public safety and secondary users ensuring a self-sustaining and revenue
generating business model. Bidders should indicate an approach for relocating current
users of the spectrum to other available narrowband frequencies at no cost to the
users or the state. Bidders should indicate how a commitment to collaboration with
the state’s Interoperable Communications Committee (ICC) for building the
appropriate business case and requests for consideration for alternative use of the
narrowband land mobile radio spectrum for broadband use by the state’s current user
community can be made.
15. Mission Critical Push-to-Talk over Broadband
Bidders should describe an approach for providing Rhode Island public safety
communities with mission critical push-to-talk radio services through the Rhode Island
RAN. It is understood that the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standards
for these services were only recently approved and that the mission critical aspects of
the services are still under development.
16. State Coverage Objectives
Any bidder to the RFP must meet the broadband service coverage objectives for the

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 entire State of Rhode Island. The necessary information for this section can be found
in Appendix A. The bidder to this RFI should explain a process on how to meet the
objectives of service coverage for the entire state and any issues associated with
providing the coverage.
17. Ownership and Usage Rights
The bidder should provide a description of ownership rights and usage rights for all
assets related to the infrastructure comprising the Rhode Island RAN.
r. Innovation, Opt-in vs. Opt-out and Comment
Bidder may include any other information believed to be pertinent but is not
specifically requested in the RFI. The bidder may provide suggestions of the services
available from the bidder that may assist in the success of this project. The bidder may
provide comments around the benefits and risks around opting-in and/or opting-out
of FirstNet’s state plan for the State’s consideration.
s. Exceptions Summary
List and fully explain all exceptions taken to any term or condition of this RFI.

SECTION 4. QUESTIONS AND SUBMISSION
A. Questions
Questions concerning this solicitation must be e-mailed to the Division of Purchases at
DOA.PurQuestions8@purchasing.ri.gov no later than the date and time indicated on page one
of this solicitation. No other contact with State parties is permitted. Please reference RFI #
7551611 on all correspondence. Questions should be submitted in writing in a Microsoft Word
attachment in a narrative format with no tables. Answers to questions received, if any, will be
posted on the Division of Purchases’ website as an addendum to this solicitation. It is the
responsibility of all interested parties to monitor the Division of Purchases website for any
procurement related postings such as addenda. If technical assistance is required, call the Help
Desk at (401) 574-8100.
Interested offerors must submit proposals to provide the services covered by this Request on or
before the date and time listed on the cover page of this solicitation. Responses received after
this date and time, as registered by the official time clock in the reception area of the Division
of Purchases shall not be accepted.
B. Response Format and Submission
Submissions should be typed, single spaced on 8 ½” by 11” pages with 1” margins using Calibri
Page 15 of 17

 or Times New Roman 12 font. Responses should be limited to two hundred (200) pages. All
pages of the Response are to be sequentially numbered in the footer, starting with number
1 on the first page of the narrative (this does not include the cover page or table of contents)
through to the end, including all forms and attachments. The Respondent’s name should
appear on every page, including attachments. Each attachment should be referenced
appropriately within the proposal section and the attachment title should reference the
proposal section it is applicable to. Printed copies are to be only bound with removable
binder clips.
The Vendor shall submit the following:
1. One (1) printed Paper copy, marked “RFI# 7551611 Response - Original” and signed.
2. One (1) Electronic copy in PDF on a CD-R, marked “RFI# 7551611 Response Original”. (Note: USB Drives or other electronic formats, may not be accepted)
Responses should be mailed or hand-delivered in a sealed envelope marked “RFI# 7551611” to:
RI Dept. of Administration
Division of Purchases, 2nd floor
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908-5855
NOTE: Proposals received after the above-referenced due date and time shall not be accepted.
Proposals misdirected to other State locations or those not presented to the Division of
Purchases by the scheduled due date and time shall be determined to be late and shall not be
accepted. Proposals faxed, or emailed, to the Division of Purchases shall not be accepted. The
official time clock is in the reception area of the Division of Purchases.
C. Presentations
Based on the responses, the State may invite a vendor(s) to present their approach and
demonstrate their technical solution. This opportunity shall only be offered to vendors that
submit a timely response to this RFI.
D. Disclaimer
This Request for Information is solely for information and planning purposes and does not
constitute a Request for Proposal. All information received in response to the RFI and marked as
“Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI cannot be accepted by the State
to form a binding contract. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Respondents are solely
responsible for all expenses associated with replying to this RFI.
Page 16 of 17

 APPENDIX A. “FirstNet Final Data Collection Report”
Attached is the “FirstNet Final Data Collection Report” dated September 30, 2016 for Bidder
review and consideration.

Page 17 of 17

 Page
September 2016

Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

FIRSTNET FINAL DATA
COLLECTION REPORT
SUBMITTED BY:
RHODE ISLAND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
On behalf of the State of Rhode Island

Tom Guthlein, FirstNet SPOC
Stuart Freiman, FirstNet Project Manager

September 30, 2016

RI Emergency Management Agency

Page

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 FirstNet Final Data Collection Report

Table of Contents
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ ii
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1
I.

Coverage ............................................................................................................................................ 6

II.

Users and Operational Areas ............................................................................................................. 8

III.

Capacity Planning ............................................................................................................................ 11

IV.

Current Providers/Procurement...................................................................................................... 11

Appendix: Rhode Island Municipalities....................................................................................................... 14

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List of Figures
Figure

Name

Page

1

PSE Locations in Rhode Island............................................................................................. 2

2

Map of PSE Survey Respondents ........................................................................................ 3

3

Map of Rhode Island Population Density by Municipality.................................................. 4

4

Map of Rhode Island PSEs with Population Density by Municipality ................................. 5

5

Map of Rhode Island Baseline Broadband Traffic Volume ................................................. 6

6

Map of Rhode Island Baseline Broadband Traffic Volume Normalized to Conform to
Municipal Boundaries ............................................................................................ 7

7

Map of Rhode Island Surveyed PSE Device Counts by Municipality................................. 10

8

Map of Perceived Coverage Issues by Municipality ......................................................... 12

9

Map of Perceived Reliability Issues by Municipality ......................................................... 13

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Introduction
Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is pleased to submit this second and final
FirstNet Data Collection report on behalf of the State of Rhode Island. The purpose of this data
collection as described by FirstNet is: “to inform FirstNet’s acquisition toward a Comprehensive Network
Solution(s) and state plans. Participation from the broad public safety community is critical to ensure the
network meets the needs of public safety.”
The report follows the template provided by FirstNet entitled “FirstNet Data Collection Elements (March
2015)” which comprises multiple data formats including text (.doc & .pdf), spreadsheet (Excel), and
Geographic Information System (GIS) geodatabase (.gdb & .mxd). It contains the following information:





Coverage: Identify desired coverage within the state or territory and proposed build out phases.
Users and Operational Areas: Gather information on the eligible user base and their respective
operational areas.
Capacity Planning: Estimate current data usage today from typical users with indicators of
potential growth.
Current Broadband Services/Procurement: Identify current services and plans, procurement
vehicles, and barriers to adoption.

The data collection process was performed in collaboration with EA Engineering, Science and
Technology, Inc., PBC (EA), the subcontractor for the project. EA developed the project process flows,
online survey, data repository, reports and GIS analysis.
RIEMA identified 246 Public Safety Entities (PSEs) based on the definition provided by FirstNet. The
location of the PSE identified is available in Figure 1. Information about all the entities identified in
available in Excel spreadsheet Rhode Island Master PSE List 093016.
The FirstNet Survey was completed via online survey questionnaire or handwritten responses. The
survey submission deadline was 31 August 2016. RIEMA received 134 responses; a 54% response rate
for the entire PSE community. The distribution of PSE that responded to the survey is available in Figure
2.
Because of the nature of emergency response and governance in Rhode Island, RIEMA decided that the
operational boundaries for the data collection be at the municipal level; of which there are 39 in the
state. There are public safety entities that have a statewide presence, but where possible, the number
of users and devices were aggregated to the municipal level.
Rhode Island is the second most densely populated state in the country with the majority of the
population lives in the greater Providence area, as shown in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows the PSE
community distribution as compared to the population density. The data submission package contains a
spreadsheet entitled Rhode Island Data Collection Results 093016 with detailed information about the
246 PSEs located in Rhode Island in the format requested by FirstNet.

RI Emergency Management Agency

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Figure 1: PSE Locations in Rhode Island

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 FirstNet Final Data Collection Report

Figure 2: Map of PSE Survey Respondents

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Figure 3: Map of Rhode Island population density by municipality

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Figure 4: Map of Rhode Island PSEs with population density by municipality

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I.

Coverage

Using GIS Spatial Analysis, RIEMA reviewed the baseline coverage objective provided by FirstNet (Figure
5). For consistency, the data from FirstNet was normalized to the municipal boundaries (Figure 6). Based
on discussion with the FirstNet, the baseline coverage objective should be interpreted to mean that
every square mile polygon in the grid with a traffic concentration designation is a location that needs to
be covered by terrestrial wireless broadband. In the map of Rhode Island, all but one square mile has
been designated for coverage by terrestrial wireless broadband. RIEMA concurs with the baseline
coverage objective assumption; the data and analysis contained herewith provides the details to
support the baseline.

Figure 5: Map of Rhode Island baseline broadband traffic volume (Source: FirstNet)

RI Emergency Management Agency

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Figure 6: Map of Rhode Island baseline broadband traffic volume normalized to conform to municipal boundaries

RI Emergency Management Agency

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Additional geographic considerations:
1) The highest natural point in Rhode Island is 812 ft. on Jerimoth Hill (northwest section of the
state). Although not mountainous, much of the terrain in the western part of the state comprise
rolling hills, dense forests and low population densities.
2) The state boundaries include New Shoreham (Block Island) which is approximately 13 miles off
the southern coast of the state.
3) There is a substantial amount of inland water contained within the states’ boundaries; which
contributes to the 400 miles of coastline and adds another 500 square miles to the footprint of
the state. The data collection covers the terrestrial areas, but the coastal and aquatic areas are
very active and need to be considered in the overall coverage footprint.

II.

Users and Operational Areas

The data collected about PSEs are contained in the spreadsheets entitled:



Rhode Island Master PSE List 093016
Rhode Island Data Collection Results 093016

In addition, there is a folder entitled RIEMA_GIS_093016 that contains all of the map documents (.mxd
files) and data (.gdb files) used in the report figures. The folder also contains PDF versions of each figure.
All work was performed in ArcGIS 10.3.1. Metadata has been included for each feature class in the
geodatabase. Table 1 below contains the summary of both collected data and estimated number of
personnel and devices for eligible public safety entities based on the known PSEs. The map in Figure 7
shows the surveyed PSE device counts by municipality. NOTE: The State of Rhode Island does not keep
historic e911 data and hence this information was not available for analysis.

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Table 1: Surveyed and estimated PSE personnel and device counts

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Figure 7: Map of Rhode Island surveyed PSE device counts by municipality

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 FirstNet Final Data Collection Report

III.

Capacity Planning

A review of the information collected from the Rhode Island PSE’s regarding the usage of applications
shows a wide range of answers. Today, public safety personnel mostly use broadband for general
Internet connectivity and communications such as text and messaging. In general, these applications are
not data intensive. For more advanced data intensive applications there is some usage today but the
most common answers are “not used” and “not used but desired.” The data leaves a lot of room for
interpretation, but the general sense is that current usage is not “mission critical” but rather “adjunct”
to their critical needs.
Clearly, there is large upside opportunity to create both the infrastructure as well as applications that
drive broadband adoption and make it more central to the public safety community. Capacity planning is
hard to predict as usage is determined both by the quality of the network itself as well as the quality
(and type) of applications they use on the network. These are interrelated in that the more the network
is “mission-capable” the more applications will be used on that network.
During the FirstNet Rhode Island State Consultation meeting, the State outlined three scenarios that
were typical of the kinds of incidents that would require a mission critical, high performing broadband
network. The scenarios are 1) The Station Nightclub Fire, 2) The Ringling Brothers Circus accident and 3)
the RIPTA bus shooting incident. As described at the meeting, these incidents all required cross-agency,
cross-jurisdiction, response and cooperation in a situation that required a large upsurge in network use
for a concentrated period of time. This type of capacity could require bursts of data flow in the 10x to
100x mbps range. It is important to note that the cellular/data networks used during those incidents all
failed to operate satisfactorily.
See Sheet 3a in the spreadsheet Rhode Island Data Collection Results 093016 for detailed information
about current and future broadband application usage.

IV.

Current Providers/Procurement

The last section of data collection concerns the current broadband subscription plans and procurement
processes. In addition, the respondents were asked about the barriers to broadband adoption. See
Sheet 4a. and 4b. in the spreadsheet Rhode Island Data Collection Results 093016 for the detailed
information.
The survey responses to “coverage of wireless data network does not meet agency operational
requirements” and “speed and efficiency of data services does not meet requirements” questions were
mapped in Figure 8 and Figure 9 respectively.
The maps show that the answers to these open-ended questions were wide ranging. But it is interesting
to note that coverage was perceived to be a barrier for more respondents in the western part of the
state which as noted is hillier, forested and less populated. Whereas the answers to the question about
reliability as a barrier was more evenly distributed around the state. Again, these are crucial issues for
FirstNet to address in their planning and execution.

RI Emergency Management Agency

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 FirstNet Final Data Collection Report

Figure 8: Map of perceived coverage issues by municipality

RI Emergency Management Agency

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Figure 9: Map of perceived reliability issues by municipality

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 FirstNet Final Data Collection Report

Appendix: Rhode Island Municipalities
The Table 2 below identifies the 39 municipalities that comprise Rhode Island and provides select
relevant information about them. Demographic information was determined by the 2010 Census data.
Table 2: Table of Relevant Municipal Demographics
Municipality
BARRINGTON
BRISTOL
BURRILLVILLE
CENTRAL FALLS
CHARLESTOWN
COVENTRY
CRANSTON
CUMBERLAND
EAST GREENWICH
EAST PROVIDENCE
EXETER
FOSTER
GLOCESTER
HOPKINTON
JAMESTOWN
JOHNSTON
LINCOLN
LITTLE COMPTON
MIDDLETOWN
NARRAGANSETT
NEW SHOREHAM
NEWPORT
NORTH KINGSTOWN
NORTH PROVIDENCE
NORTH SMITHFIELD
PAWTUCKET
PORTSMOUTH
PROVIDENCE
RICHMOND
SCITUATE
SMITHFIELD
SOUTH KINGSTOWN
TIVERTON
WARREN
WARWICK
WEST GREENWICH
WEST WARWICK
WESTERLY
WOONSOCKET

RI Emergency Management Agency

Area (sq. mile)

Population

# PSE Orgs.

8.51
9.84
56.94
1.29
37.92
62.46
28.93
28.23
16.30
13.75
58.39
51.94
56.81
44.14
9.53
24.32
18.92
22.49
13.19
14.12
9.55
8.00
44.07
5.79
24.88
8.79
23.29
18.76
40.75
54.80
27.61
60.20
29.91
6.20
35.73
51.22
8.10
30.25
7.88

16919
23297
16633
21182
8985
38478
88092
33998
15334
48835
10748
5991
12227
8824
5405
33712
23199
4173
17751
16278
1051
25350
28562
35593
14593
72950
17491
183183
9459
13957
22807
32507
16530
11126
85194
8453
35330
23510
42052

4
5
9
4
7
7
8
5
4
5
4
7
6
7
5
4
8
4
4
4
4
8
8
6
5
5
5
26
4
11
5
7
4
4
7
7
4
9
6

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September 2016