In a notice of pre-solicitation released Jan. 12, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) indicates it will ultimately seek proposals from qualified bidders to provide it with a 988 Mobile Dispatch System. A request for proposal will be conducted under the authority of the California Department of Technology (CDT). Here, the state seeks bidders’ written feedback and their requests to meet with the state, ahead of the RFP’s release. Among the takeaways:
- Cal OES’ Public Safety Communications, CA 911 Emergency Communications Branch manages and oversees statewide 988 technology services with funding from the 988 State Emergency Telephone Number Account surcharge. Here, Cal OES seeks a software as a service (SaaS) for a mobile dispatch system (MDS) that is capable of interfacing with the existing cloud native 988 system. The existing California 988 system has a call-handling system to receive and process 988 calls, chats and texts; and a customer relationship management system to manage client information and document 988 interactions at 988 Lifeline Crisis Centers (LCC) in California. It has the potential to expand to additional LCCs. The existing 988 system is a cloud native solution with a standards-based interface to send information to the MDS.
- Services sought must support the LCC workflow and mobile dispatch services. The main goal of the MDS is to provide the LCCs with the ability to dispatch mobile crisis teams to the correct locations. The MDS must align with the five-year implementation plan for a comprehensive 988 system now being developed by the California Health and Human Services Agency. The contractor selected must ensure authorized 988 MDS data can interface with 911 and 988, per 988 Technical Advisory Board policy and Cal OES. The contractor’s services must meet National Emergency Number Association (NENA) i3 V2, Emergency Incident Data Object (EIDO) and industry standards upon contract award and be updated to meet any changes to those standards.
- Respondent requirements include at least three years’ experience deploying, maintaining and installing mobile crisis dispatch solutions and at least three years’ experience in the last five years of servicing at least 5,000 crisis dispatch calls a year. Respondents who have serviced higher numbers of mobile crisis dispatch calls may receive additional points. Respondent must provide proof of completing two projects that include an emergency mobile dispatch similar in complexity to this project.
- The potential value of any contract isn’t stated. Contract term, upon CDT approval, will be three years with the state reserving the option of two two-year extensions, for a maximum term of seven years. Bidders’ written feedback and requests to meet with the state are due by 10 a.m. Feb. 2. Confidential meetings via video conference will be conducted Feb. 7-8. The solicitation will be released Feb. 29. Questions will be due March 21, and intents to bid will be due April 5. Proposals will be due April 26 and evaluated April 29-May 10. Confidential bidder negotiations will be May 15-31, and a contract award is expected June 21. Estimated contract start date is July 1.
