AT&T Nabs FirstNet $7 Billion Nationwide Broadband Public Safety Network Contract
The Commerce Department and the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) on Thursday selected telecommunications giant AT&T Inc. [T] a $6.5 billion contract to build a nationwide wireless broadband network for use by first responders. FirstNet was established in 2012 to develop, build and operate the first nationwide broadband network dedicated to public safety. “FirstNet has worked closely with public safety to listen to their experiences and objectives, so together, we will create a network that will meet their needs now and for years to come,” TJ Kennedy, president of FirstNet, said in a blog post on the FirstNet website. FirstNet is an independent authority within the Commerce Department. Under the 25-year deal, FirstNet will provide 20 MHz of high-value broadband spectrum and success-based payments of $6.5 billion over the next five years to support build out of the network. The authority’s funding was raised through earlier auctions managed by the Federal Communications Commission. AT&T will also spend $40 billion over the life of the contract to build, deploy, operate and maintain the network, with a focus on ensuring coverage for public safety. The company will also connect users to its telecommunications network assets, which are valued at more than $180 billion. The FirstNet network is supposed to allow seamless communications across jurisdictions, preventing law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical services from having to suffer overloaded and inaccessible networks.
Smiths Detection Nabs Contracts from U.K. MoD, Dutch
Smiths Detection has won contracts from the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence and The Netherlands Schiphol Group to supply various aviation security solutions in deals worth millions of dollars. For the MoD, the award includes the ScanTrailer 100100V-2is mobile X-Ray inspection systems, HI-SCAN 145180-2is dual view X-Ray equipment for inspecting air cargo, IONSCAN 600 trace detectors, CEIA’s PMD2PLUS walk through metal detectors, and eqo millimeter-wave body scanners. The contract includes a 10-year support program. The systems will be deployed to MoD airports globally. For The Netherlands, Smiths Detection will supply 24 HI-SCAN 10080 XCT hold baggage screening systems at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, with an option to provide six more at airports in Rotterdam, The Hague and Eindhoven. The XCT systems use high-resolution X-Ray technology, computed tomography and advanced detection algorithms to automatically detect explosive threats under the European Union EDS Standard 3, and can be upgraded to meet future threats such as homemade explosives. The equipment will be delivered over five years.
OSI Systems Receives $12M Contract from International Customer
OSI Systems [OSIS] says its security segment has received a $12 million contract from an international customer to provide multiple units of its Sentry Portal high-energy cargo and vehicle inspection system coupled with the Z Portal backscatter system. The Sentry Portal and Z Portal were part of the acquisition last year of American Science and Engineering. The order also includes related accessories and follow-on service and technical support.
Coast Guard Awards Rolls Royce $16M for Engines
Rolls Royce has received a $16 million contract from the Coast Guard for five engines for the services HC-130J Super Hercules long-range surveillance aircraft as part of a 10-engine buy executed by the Air Force. The engines are slated for delivery to Base Elizabeth City, N.C. in the summer of 2018. The engines will support the Coast Guard’s need for spare parts and help the service prepare Air Station Kodiak, Alaska, to received HC-130Js.
DHS Awards Triple Canopy $106M for Guard Services
The Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service has awarded Triple Canopy a potential $105.8 million contract to provide protective security officer services in various federal properties throughout Northern California. The contract has a base-year with four one-year options and an optional six-month extension.