The Manitoba government has issued a request for proposals (RFP) to accelerate the process of replacing Manitoba’s emergency communications system.
“Manitoba has an aging, obsolete emergency communications system that should have been replaced some time ago,” said Finance Minister Cameron Friesen. “By issuing the RFP, we are moving as quickly as possible by outsourcing the process to an independent third party.”
Friesen made the commitment to replace the 26-year-old FleetNet system earlier this year. Replacement parts for the system went out of production in 2003 and the former government was notified in 2008 that equipment would no longer be built or supported after 2014.
The RFP seeks an independent third party with expertise in radio engineering and procurement of large infrastructure to lead a process on behalf of Manitoba to acquire new public safety radio communication services. This process will include:
- a review of technical and service requirements,
- a public procurement process to select a public safety radio communications service provider, and
- the negotiation of a multi-year contract between Manitoba and the selected public safety radio communications service provider.
The proposal will include requirements for a modern communications system that meets current standards and additional towers to expand coverage.
“This approach provides an open, fair and accelerated procurement process,” said Friesen. “The current system will be maintained until the replacement system is up and running.”
