The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is seeking a vendor to provide text-to-911 services over Web-based and integrated IP modalities.
The new system will interface with all public-safety answering points, of which there are currently 441. The system will also allow for transfers of text history from one answering point to another, even multiple times.
The vendor will also integrate the new system with other next-generation 911 systems.
“With the increased use of text by the general public, Text to 9-1-1 will provide an immediate and crucial method beyond existing video relay to allow the deaf, disabled and hard-of-hearing community to receive emergency service when needed and provide an alternate method for those without speech or with hearing disabilities to contact 9-1-1,” the bid document reads.
California has been working to accommodate text to 911 services since 2014. The current system has two Text Control Centers, which causes routing problems when texts come from near jurisdictional borders. Only one contractor will be selected for the new system, to avoid historical routing problems.
The maximum contract term will be for seven years. The original contract will include three years with four one-year extensions.
Bids are due Nov. 11.
