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FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA, May 3, 2021 – The State of Minnesota Emergency Communication Networks (ECN), a division of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), has awarded Federal Engineering, Inc. (FE) a contract to provide consulting and support services for sustaining migration to an “end state” next generation 9-1-1 platform for the State.

ECN has identified the following desired goals for the project’s next steps:

• The ability for Minnesota Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to accept 9-1-1 calls for all certificated Originating Service Providers.
• Geo-Spatially route the 9-1-1 calls to the appropriate PSAP.
• Deliver the call to the PSAP’s call handling system natively in internet protocol (IP) with its location.
• Support the National Emergency Number Association’s “Any device, anytime, anywhere” mission.
• Implement best practices that offer an approach for assessing and managing the cybersecurity risks that are associated with the next generation 9-1-1 services.

This comprehensive project will include over 100 PSAPs within the State.

Mr. Donald Nagle, FE Director, described the tasks to be performed: “Federal Engineering will provide a suite of services to DPS/ECN including:

• Generation of the Next Generation Core Services (NGCS) RFP and Project Implementation Plan.
• Development of cybersecurity initiatives for improved security measures within all PSAPs in addition to enhanced security from threats against next generation services.
• Draft responses, coordinate stakeholder input, and propose revisions to Minnesota Statute Chapter 403 in support of DPS-ECN to prescribe how the state coordinates and maintains the 9-1-1 system as well as how it defines the governance structure for the Statewide Emergency Communication Board.

Minnesota will benefit from the vast knowledgebase gained by FE as the foremost NG9-1-1 consulting firm in North America.”

Federal Engineering is a leading, nationwide firm providing analysis, design, procurement, and implementation support for NG9-1-1, PSAPs, ECCs, and EOCs. These services complement FE’s wide range of consulting services in public safety and public service communications involving traditional VHF, UHF, 700 MHz, 800 MHz, 900 MHz, and 4.9GHz mobile radio systems as well as LTE and CBRS. FE’s cybersecurity practice helps our clients defend against today’s complex and ever-changing threat landscape. FE also serves as trusted advisors to assist clients understand emerging services such as FirstNet and the impacts on their current and future plans. Since 1983, FE has completed thousands of communications projects for 46 state governments, as well as numerous local and federal government clients.

In addition to its public sector work, Federal Engineering provides design and implementation support services for voice, data, and video networks used in the transportation, utilities, aerospace, finance, education, publishing, and computer services industries. FE’s certified independence ensures that clients receive objective, unbiased consulting services that are not influenced by any technology, product, vendor, or approach.