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FirstNet Draft RFPThere were some funding concerns last year due to the cost of physical security (such as hardening against nuclear attack) and issues with some states that intend to participate. Other states can opt out of the program. After scanning the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) the funding issues now seem to be resolved. Congress has already approved $7 billion for the program and the draft RFP says that $6.5 billion will be awarded to the prime contractor and this seems to be consistent with the current program requirements. The physical security issues have been deferred for later consideration in future phases of the program.
Schedule - Release of the final RFP and contract award has been delayed because of several problems and consideration of the above issues. Public comments on the draft RFP are due on May 27th. The final RFP will be released later this year and contract award will be in 2016.
The FirstNet draft RFP consists of 12 volumes. Two volumes are applicable to VHC (1) Appendix C-3 – “Recommended Minimum Technical Requirements to Ensure Nationwide Interoperability for the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network,” and (2) Appendix C-4 – “System and Standard views.”
Here are the two volumes.
As expected VirnetX is not mentioned by name in any of the volumes but there is very significant emphasis on security. Here are some noteworthy program requirements and/or statements in the two volumes.
1. Two 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications are mandatory requirements and VirnetX has declared its patents essential for both. They are: 3GPP TS 33.210 “3G Security - Network Domain Security (NDS).” Also 3GPP TS 33-401 “System Architecture Evolution, Security Architecture.”
2. In Appendix C-3 note paragraph 4.7.7 on mobile VPN technology. This is very similar to Google’s recent announcement and security is essential as noted in Appendix C-4.
3. Appendix C-3, paragraph 4.8 discusses security domains. All of the subparagraphs describe VirnetX technology in my opinion. Also note paragraph 4.8.3.2 on Network Domain Security, 4.8.3.3 on User Domain Security, and paragraph 4.8.3.4 on Application Domain Security.
All in my opinion and best regards to all. |
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