The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded four separate contracts to AT&T as part of a mission to modernize its communications capabilities.
The four contracts, awarded via the General Services Administration’s Enterprise Infrastructure Solutions (EIS) contract, are valued at more than $167 million over five years provided all options are exercised.
AT&T’s history with FEMA and its role as provider of the FirstNet network, which is dedicated to public safety, makes it a fitting choice. Under these contracts, AT&T will serve as FEMA’s single integrated communications provider for the majority of its telecom services.
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With climate change fueling more weather-related disasters, FEMA’s mission to help people before, during and after disasters is even more challenging. After Hurricane Ida last year, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told lawmakers that mitigating the effects of climate change is one of the top priorities for the agency.
“The FEMA mission is noble in intent, expansive in reach, and complex in delivery. As climate events and their impacts continue to increase in number and scope, more and more U.S. citizens turn to FEMA for help. We’re proud to stand beside FEMA and modernize its communications capabilities now and for the future,” said AT&T’s Stacy Schwartz, VP, Public Sector and FirstNet, in a statement.
What was AT&T’s previous role? "We were an incumbent telecommunications provider to FEMA alongside other telecommunications providers on the previous contract, called Networx. These EIS wins were ‘winner take all’ and, as a result of these awards, we are now the single integrated communications provider to FEMA for most of its telecommunications services,” Schwartz told Fierce via email.
Scope of deal
Under the four awards, AT&T will transition FEMA voice and data systems, wireless LAN capabilities, Contact Center Capability Modernization Program (C3MP) and The National Warning System from legacy technologies to modernized communications in accordance with EIS guidelines on a timeline directed by FEMA.
In fact, AT&T said it’s already working with FEMA to transition the agency’s voice and data systems, wireless LAN capabilities, C3MP contact center system and the National Warning System.
As an existing FirstNet user, FEMA can use FirstNet’s wireless capabilities for redundant or alternate access to the data networks. For the voice/data component, AT&T said it will work with the agency to modernize the FEMA network.
On the wireless WAN front, AT&T will continue to provide FEMA with a fully managed solution while moving existing billing to a new EIS contract. AT&T also plans to collaborate with FEMA to modernize and bring technologies like Wi-Fi 6 and other enhancements into the fold.