Radio Contract Debate

Spalding County (Geo) issued an RFP for a new trunked radio system back in May, outlining the details of radio communications needs. Now both Motorola and M/A-Comm have submitted bids on the system, but a study committee handling the bid award has delayed recommendation at the request of consultant Steve Macke, according to radio station WKEU. According to a story posted on the WKEU Web site, Macke recommended delaying the decision until questions about interference on TV channel 69 and rebanding are resolved. Also, “Macke continued that January 7, 2007 is when everyone will know in which direction Phase 2 of the 800 MHz Radio System will go so that both vendors can provide bids on it as requested.” However, the story quotes state rebanding program manager Jim Mollohan saying that the county doesn’t have to wait for rebanding, since the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) and the FCC will handle it. The story concludes, “The only question WKEU has not received clarification of at this time is whether or not Spalding County will be paying another $100,000 for the services of Consultant Macke if the process is drawn out another year.” Read the entire story here.