Title
MSAT Services Contract - RFA-26-0021 - Request for Award (Ordinance S-53205) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to enter into a contract with NIC4, Inc. dba Network Innovations U.S. Government to provide advanced communication capabilities during Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployments to disaster zones for the Phoenix Fire Department. Further request an exception to the indemnity and assumption of liability provisions of Phoenix City Code Section 42-18. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item. The total cost of the contract will not exceed $35,126.
Report
Summary
This contract will provide Arizona Task Force 1 with a fully supported mobile satellite communication service that ensures reliable voice and push-to-talk capabilities during FEMA deployments. It guarantees seamless compatibility with the existing fleet of eight LightSquared MSAT G2 radios, full access to all required public safety talk groups and dependable national coverage backed by strong service quality and technical support.
This item has been reviewed and approved by the Information Technology Services Department.
Procurement Information
In accordance with Administrative Regulation 3.10, standard competition was waived as a result of an approved Determination Memo based on the following reason: Special Circumstances without Competition. NIC4, Inc. dba Network Innovations U.S. Government is the sole provider capable of delivering the services and talk groups required for Phoenix Fire's operations over the Ligado Networks MSAT satellite network. Ligado Networks owns and operates the MSAT system, the only commercial satellite network in North America that provides integrated two-way radio and push-to-talk telephony with nationwide interoperability for public safety agencies fully compatible with Fire's existing MSAT equipment. In 2011, Ligado Networks sold its entire direct end user customer base to NI Government Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of NIC4, Inc. dba Network Innovations U.S. Government. As a result, NIC4, Inc. dba Network Innovations U.S. Government is the only entity that can provide access to all of the services and talk groups used by Phoenix Fire.
Contract Term
The contract will begin on or about September 23, 2026, for a five-year term with no options to extend.
Financial Impact
The total cost of the contract will not exceed $35,126 for the five-year aggregate term.
Funding is available in the Fire Department's Operating budget.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Fire Department.