The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a presolicitation notice for procurement of Priority Telecommunications Services (PTS) for the agency’s Emergency Communications Division (ECD). The notice does not include a response due date.
The notice, posted today, shows that CISA is looking for a provider who can help ensure communications throughout major disruptions to the continuity of operations and even the continuity of government. The agency is looking for a contractor who can assist by providing engineering support, negotiating service agreements, offer ongoing support, and help transition legacy services to IP-packet based networks.
“Through enhancements to the telecommunications infrastructure, ECD can effectively and economically address the COOP/COG [continuity of operations/continuity of government] needs while also providing a significant benefit of assured communications during NS/EP [national security/emergency preparedness] incidents to the broader national, state, local, and non-government NS/EP community,” the presolicitation states.
Within the PTS ecosystem, prospective contractors would need to support CISA by managing subcontractors, planning tech upgrades for emergency networks, and providing a service center for operational support.