Subject: [Scan-DC] Va. Land Mobile Radio Network RFP
Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000 11:00:23 -0400
From: john wilson
Reply-To: john wilson
To: [email protected]
1. On August 5th, 2000, the Commonwealth(state) of Va. will issue a RFP for an all inclusive radio communication system(s) network(s). It is a 44 page document in PDF format(Acrobat) and can be downloaded at: http://www.dgs.state.va.us./DPS/DOWNLOAD/90511-00jw.PDF � . � Even though up front almost as an afterthought, it addresses requiring the successful bidder's system(s)/network(s) to provide instant department intra and selected inter-district radio communications for the various state agencies, the focus of the RFP is the Va. State Police radio system. Overall there are over 3,000 various users of the present various state radio systems. After reading the RFP I would rename it " Mission Impossible 2000" or "Nightmare 2000.". Heaven help the poor successful bidder. Technical system troubleshooters and maintenance personnel should have gainful lifetime employment.
2. In addition to providing the latest greatest radio communication system(s) for the state users, the successful bidder must CONCURRENTLY upgrade and maintain the current VSP vhf and microwave radio system for an expected life of an additional 10 years while installing the new target system(s)/network(s). The various vhf 158-159 mhz. trunked frequencies currently licensed to the state for VDOT, VSP, Forestry, Fish and Game are for use in the temporary radio system(s) upgrade and may or may not be part of the final system(s) installed.
3. Even though not specifically listed, it can be inferred from the RFP content discussion that all VSP divisions will be operational with upgraded equipment NLT 2005 with the Richmond Division 1, on line NLT 31 Dec 2002. I assume the total replacement system(s) will be operational sometime within the next 10 years. Possibly by then what has been installed will be technically inferior and will require another upgrade. Time will tell. Additionally the RFP discusses "talk groups", which infers an 800 mhz. system and hand held mobile extenders. Also, there can be no interference from one user's system to another's. Oh, by the way, the successful bidder must include a capability to interface radio communications at the dispatch level, with various city and county users of the new system's VSP shared network.
4. You just know what most likely is going the happen as time passes. � News flash...the zillion dollar radio communication system(s)/network(s) for Va. state users is not meeting their expectations, etc. It most likely will be similiar to the horror stories we hear now about 800 mhz. systems around the country.
5. Most of the RFP document is boring, but here and there are snippets of interesting information.
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Virginia State Police
Public Affairs Unit
Statewide
(804) 674-2016
Central Virginia
(804) 553-3494
Northern Virginia
(703) 323-4515
Eastern Virginia
(757) 424-6827
News Release No. 24
�
For Immediate Release
Contact Persons:
Major R. Lewis Vass (804) 674-2122
July 25, 2000
Thomas A. Struzzieri (804) 674-4684
�
Virginia State Police manages state's six-year communications project
State's Two-Way Radio System Enhancement Contract
Awarded to Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern (HSMM)
RICHMOND � Hayes, Seay, Mattern & Mattern, Inc. (HSMM), a Roanoke-based company, has been awarded a $20 million contract to design, implement and coordinate Virginia's upgraded statewide, shared two-way radio system. The system will provide mobile radio voice and data communications for 19 Virginia agencies with service covering the entire state. There will be seven to 10 subsequent contracts for the necessary equipment and services.
"Many state agencies currently operate their own two-way radio systems to support their operations and the new shared Land Mobile Radio (LMR) network will provide mutual communications and agencies will benefit from the shared cost of operating the system and shared radio frequencies," said Colonel W. Gerald Massengill, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. Currently, the Virginia State Police manages the statewide VHF highband LMR network which provides two-way radio communication for approximately 90 percent of the Commonwealth's territory.
CTA Communications Inc. (CTA), in Lynchburg, a subsidiary of HSMM, Inc., will work closely with the Virginia State Police, the state's project manager for the six-year project. CTA will survey Virginia's state agencies existing and projected radio communication requirements; evaluate the State Police LMR and microwave communications networks and associated transmitter sites and radio towers; analyze replacement technologies; design an upgrade to the existing communications networks; estimate the cost of implementing the new system; supervise the installation; manage the migration; and test to verify functionality and quality of the new system. This upgrade also will include adding 1,000 mobile computers for the Virginia State Police. CTA will also explore the possibility of the new system being utilized by local jurisdictions throughout the state and the Federal Government.
When completed, the upgraded statewide system will link the 19 state agencies with a statewide Intranet that provides access to databases and better communications among the agencies, and also facilitate communications with vehicle-mounted computers. "This Intranet will benefit the citizens of Commonwealth since it will enhance the public safety operations of the law enforcement community," said Colonel Massengill. "The shared information that will be available for statewide use will be a valuable tool in law enforcement efforts in keeping our communities safer."
A copy of the contract has been posted at:� http://www.dgs.state.va.us/DPS/index.htm� (Contract 90511-00).
The system will provide mobile radio voice and data communications to the following 19 Virginia agencies:
Virginia Department of State Police
Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Virginia Department of Aviation
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Virginia Department of Corrections
Virginia Department of Emergency Services
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Virginia Department of Fire Programs
Virginia Department of Forestry
Virginia Department of Information Technology
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
Virginia Department of Military Affairs
Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy
Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Virginia Department of Transportation
Capitol Police
Marine Resources Commission
Comments, suggestions and questions may be e-mailed to the Virginia State Police
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