DoIT and DLS outline MD First radio work; maintenance contract timing and replacement costs flagged as risks

Yashadara Rai of the Department of Legislative Services told the subcommittee the Department of Information Technology’s MD First statewide interoperable public‑safety radio system has four subprograms planned through FY30: additional radio sites, fiber‑optic expansion to replace microwave links, installation of in‑building antenna systems and added redundant control sites. DLS’s cover page lists a FY26 capital funding recommendation of $14,900,000 in general obligation bonds for MD First subprograms and a total estimated capital cost of about $97,800,000 through FY30.

Rai highlighted four committee requests: the current Motorola contract expires in November 2025; DoIT plans a one‑to‑two year no‑cost extension for site work but that extension does not cover the system maintenance support component; DoIT is reviewing a sole‑source six‑year maintenance contract with Motorola and plans to send it to the Board of Public Works in spring; and replacement costs for dispatch consoles and base station radios that are near end‑of‑life are not yet included in the FY26 budget and remain under review.

Rai also noted MD First has roughly $35,000,000 in older state appropriations (from FY22 and earlier) that remain unspent and asked DoIT to provide timelines for spending that balance.

Acting Secretary Melissa Lehman of the Department of Information Technology told the committee DoIT supports the DLS analysis and the agency’s FY26 capital request. Lehman said MD First supports roughly 22,000 users and averages more than 3,200,000 transmissions per month and described recent operational successes, including activation of a new downtown Washington, D.C. radio site in November 2024 that provided redundancy during several large events.

DoIT officials said the department plans continued site installations, a fiber optimization program beginning in the out years and that closeout activities for the current build are expected by November 2025. DoIT noted operating impacts tied to the program; DLS’s appendix shows FY26 operating costs tied to MD First of roughly $19,900,000, of which most funds are for contracts.

DLS recommended approval of $14,900,000 in GEO bonds for MD First subprograms; DoIT said it supports the analysis and stands ready to answer further questions. The committee asked staff to follow up on the maintenance contract contingency plan if Board of Public Works approval extends beyond the November 2025 contract expiration and to seek detail on console/base‑station replacement costs.