Call Handling System. The 9-1-1 calls will traverse the State of Minnesota’s current A9-1-1 network configuration which includes the RFAI protocol (See Exhibit for specifications). It is anticipated that the network will migrate to a NENA i3 standards-based NG9-1-1 Emergency Services Internet Protocol Network (ESINet) at a later date. The vendor’s proposal shall provide a solution which can simultaneously support each of these two methods of connectivity with narrative in the response describing in detail the vendor’s approach to the transition from A9-1-1 (RFAI) to NENA i3 standards-based NG9-1-1. RESPONSE: UNDERSTOOD The proposed VESTA/Sentinel 4 system is Next Gen 9-1-1 ready and the software proposed includes an ESINet Interface Module for connection to an i3 network. As proposed today, the system is fully capable of accepting both RFAI IP-based 911 calls as well as NENA i3 calls. While the VESTA/Sentinel 4 solution supports both RFAI IP and i3 IP via the EIM module, the solution does not allow for simultaneous interface to both Section 1 Consortium NG9-1-1 CHS protocols. The solution could interface to both if RFAI is terminated via CAMA. Cassidian Communications is committed to supporting interfaces to any manufacturer’s NENA i3-compliant IP selective router and Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) trunking solutions. In fact, we are currently working with two different NENA i3 network providers in other states and have successfully demonstrated our ability to accept a NENA i3 9-1-1 call via native SIP trunking. Our experience from working with these two different NENA i3 network providers has taught us that although NENA i3 is a recognized standard, different network providers are deploying it in different ways. Regardless of the i3 network provider, Cassidian Communications has a process in place to work with i3 network providers to test our equipment’s connectivity to their network and demonstrate the ability to take 9-1-1 calls via native SIP in an NENA i3 network. IES understands that while it is unknown at this time how the State will transform the current ESInet to a NENA i3 network, it is possible that a second concurrent network will be deployed similar to how the current RFAI ESInet has been deployed and is operating concurrently with the legacy E9-1-1 network. At this time it is not known if an i3 ECRF will be operating simultaneously on the current RFAI/A9-1-1 network. Without a complete understanding of how this will take place it is difficult to describe a trans...
