(Salem, OR/Olympia, WA) — The states of Oregon and Washington will jointly issue a request for proposals (RFP) to operate a high-speed, wireless broadband data network dedicated to public safety. The network will not replace existing public safety radio networks, but will be another tool to ensure that first responders can communicate in times of disasters that tend to overwhelm existing networks.
 
The states expect to release their RFP within two weeks and close it approximately five weeks later. There will then be a period of evaluation and possible selection of one or more vendors to advance to the next phase of the process.