WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- As the Federal Communications
Commission's (FCC) decision regarding the 700 MHz spectrum band auction and
service rules draws near, the recently-formed Public Safety Spectrum Trust
Corporation (PSST) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) today, seeking
applications from all who are interested in serving in an agent/advisor
role to the PSST.
The PSST was formed with the support of nine national public safety
organizations in response to recent momentum at the FCC about the need for
a nationwide public safety broadband network and in anticipation of further
developments.
As an initial step in readying itself in the event the FCC prioritizes
first responders' needs by designing rules for the 700 MHz auction that
lead to the creation of a shared public safety-commercial broadband
network, and if the PSST is ultimately selected as the national public
safety licensee for the 700 MHz broadband spectrum, the PSST has issued
this RFP to identify one or more entities to serve as agent/advisor to the
PSST. Such an entity or entities would act as an advisor to the
organization and assist in representing the interests of the PSST,
including discussions with spectrum auction participants and commercial
wireless providers about the creation and deployment of a public safety
broadband network. The RFP is being widely disseminated throughout the
consulting and telecommunications communities by means of an open
application process.
"The 700 MHz spectrum represents a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for
the public safety community to gain the state-of-the-art communications
tools we need to do our jobs effectively and safely. Therefore we are
taking necessary steps to ensure that we are prepared to move the process
along as efficiently as possible," said Harlin McEwen, PSST President, who
also serves as the Chairman of the Communications and Technology Committee
of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). "We are
committed to making the RFP process transparent and competitive to maximize
our options of selecting a suitable partner in this critical endeavor."
Qualification and eligibility criteria for proposals are detailed in
the RFP, which can be found at the following web link: www.iafc.org/PSSTrfp
Copies of the RFP can also be obtained from the contacts listed below.
Notification of intent to bid is required by July 20, 2007. Completed
bids are due by July 30, 2007, and will be evaluated and negotiated in the
following weeks. Required forms and additional instructions are detailed in
the posted RFP.
About the Public Safety Spectrum Trust (PSST)
The PSST is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the
District of Columbia. This organization was established to provide national
public safety leadership a focal point and an organizational structure
through which decisions can be made to guide the construction and operation
of an interoperable nationwide broadband network. Pending FCC approval,
this nationwide, shared network will be built and operated to meet the
communications requirements of the public safety community through a public
safety/commercial partnership.
Contact: Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corporation
Alan Caldwell, Secretary-Treasurer 703-273-0911, x309 acaldwell@iafc.org
Harlin R. McEwen, President 607-257-1522 chiefhrm@pubsaf.com
Robert M. Gurss, Vice President 202-833-3800 gurssr@apcomail.org
SOURCE Public Safety Spectrum Trust Corporation
