Notice of Public Hearing

NYS Seal

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT, ANALYSIS AND INVESTIGATION
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON CODES
ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Testimony by Invitation Only

SUBJECT:	Statewide Wireless Network (SWN)

PURPOSE:	To continue Assembly oversight of the Statewide Wireless Network procurement process.

Roosevelt Hearing Room C - Legislative Office Building
2nd Floor
Wednesday
May 19, 2004
1:30 p.m.
Albany, NY

The purpose of this hearing is to review the process of the Statewide Wireless Network procurement.

The Office for Technology (OFT) issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the Statewide Wireless Network (SWN) on December 12, 2001. The RFP stated that the purpose of the Statewide Wireless Network procurement "is to obtain a new, statewide wireless communications public safety network that would provide an integrated public safety land mobile radio communications network for State and other federal and local governmental entities which operate within New York State's geographic borders." The RFP also stated SWN would serve as a cost efficient backbone for delivering new technologies and would be used in disaster emergency situations. At the time the RFP was issued, OFT estimated the cost of SWN would be approximately $300 - $500 million.

On April 30, 2004, the Office for Technology announced that a contract was awarded for the creation of SWN for a reported cost of over $1 billion. In a public hearing on March 8, 2004, many local first responders expressed doubt about their ability to participate in SWN.

Oral testimony is by invitation only. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements on or by May 13, 2004. Please see the reverse side for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

RoAnn M. Destito
Chair
Committee on Governmental Operations

Jeffrey Klein
Chair
Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation

Robert K. Sweeney
Chair
Committee on Local Governments

Herman D. Farrell, Jr.
Chair
Committee on Ways and Means

Joseph R. Lentol
Chair
Committee on Codes

Richard L. Brodsky
Chair
Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions

ISSUES WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY, INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Is $1 billion a reasonable and accurate cost estimate for the Statewide Wireless Network (SWN)?
What led to the disparity between the initial cost estimate and the reported contract award?
Discuss the tower siting process.
Discuss what provisions have been made to ensure that local governments and first responders will be able, in a practical sense, to utilize SWN.
What costs has the State already incurred in trying to establish SWN?
When can the State expect to have a fully operational SWN? What assurances have been made to ensure that this system will be able to meet current and projected voice and data needs for the entire State?

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on the Statewide Wireless Network procurement process are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail it to: Cheryl Couser Senior Policy Analyst Assembly Committee on Governmental Operations Room 513 - Capitol Albany, New York 12248 Phone: (518) 455-4355 Fax: (518) 455-4128

	I plan to attend the following public hearing on the Statewide Wireless Network procurement process to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Governmental Operations, Oversight, Analysis and Investigation, Local Governments, Ways and Means, Codes and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions on May 19, 2004.

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