Committee backs extension and $7.3 million increase to city FirstNet agreement with AT&T

The Budget and Finance Committee on Oct. 1 voted 2-0 to forward a resolution approving a second amendment to the Department of Technology’s FirstNet agreement with AT&T Mobility. The amendment extends the term by 18 months (through April 21, 2027) and increases the not‑to‑exceed value by approximately $7,300,000, bringing the total contract cap to about $29,600,000.

DT strategic sourcing manager Hao Xie told the committee FirstNet is a public‑safety‑grade wireless network prioritizing first responders; 17 city departments use the network, with the largest users being the Police Department, Municipal Transportation Agency (MTA), Department of Public Works and Recreation and Park. DT described cost‑control measures it has implemented — a mobile device use policy, a dormant‑line tool and removal of inactive lines — and reported removing 1,161 inactive lines over two years. DT said the city currently has about 20,000 cellular lines, roughly 3,600 of which were inactive for 60 days and that about half of those inactive lines lack a documented business justification. DT estimated potential annual savings of about $984,000 if inactive lines with no justification were deactivated.

Committee members expressed support for the extension but asked the administration to push departments to implement the city device policy and provide clearer justifications for active lines. The committee forwarded the amendment to the full Board with a positive recommendation; public comment was not offered on the item.