Public Safety Communications Network Modernization (PSCN Modernization)

Background
The San Mateo County Public Safety Communications (PSC) Department is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to gather market research and better understand the range of modern technologies available to support the future modernization of the County’s Public Safety Communications Network (PSCN).

As the central 911 and emergency communications hub for Fire, EMS, and several Law Enforcement agencies, PSC depends on secure, resilient, and interoperable network infrastructure to ensure effective multi-agency response. The current PSCN faces increasing limitations related to scalability, cybersecurity, cloud integration, and support for next-generation public-safety tools.

This RFI seeks information from qualified suppliers regarding modern architectures, service models, and technical solutions that may address existing gaps and enable a secure, highly available public-safety network. Vendor input will support the County’s assessment of potential approaches to enhancing inter-agency data sharing, CJIS-compliant access, digital evidence workflows, real-time situational awareness, and integration with emerging technologies such as IoT sensors, drones, and mobile platforms.

Work Details
The County seeks a modern solution that enhances the PSC Department’s ability to support 911 operations and deliver mission-critical services. Key components include:
1) Network Modernization & Security Architecture: Deliver a resilient core-and-branch architecture with high availability; implement Zero Trust access controls; provide multi-path WAN connectivity; ensure CJIS-compliant encryption.
2) Interoperability & Data Exchange: Support integration with CAD and RMS systems; enable real-time data sharing; facilitate secure transfer of digital evidence.
3) Operational Tools: Support mobile access to PSC applications; offer real-time AVL tracking; provide scalable integration with emerging technologies.
4) Centralized Management: Provide unified management for security policies; enable proactive alerting and diagnostics.

Period of Performance
This RFI was released on December 22, 2025. Responses are due by January 20, 2026.

Place of Performance
San Mateo County, California.

Bidder Requirements
Vendors must demonstrate experience providing secure public-safety communications solutions or equivalent enterprise network services. They should have proven ability to design CJIS-compliant systems and experience with cloud integrations in mission-critical environments.