Mass Notification System (MNS) & Emergency Alert Systems

By | December 13, 2019
Mass notification emergency systems

Dec 14 2019 (Westminster) by Craig Keefner and Kiosk Industry Manufacturer Association

Mass Notification Systems

We see more and more of RFPS for Mass Notification Systems (MNS) and Emergency Alert Systems.  These include Crisis Alerts and Alert Systems.  Many schools.

As far as Free Mass Notification Systems there are very inexpensive CMS systems that can utilized in that regard and several of them have scope for specific MNS systems.

Below are a couple for review with scope of work examples (real life).

Seems like it would be a great adjunct function for digital signage and CMS systems to offer.  They generally are in search of ROI and this would satisfy that requirement and minimize liability for customers with many public customers in mainly unprotected public areas. An idea.

Mass Notification System RFPs


California MNS December 2019 Scope of Work

Product (RFP/RFQ/RFI/Solicitation/Tender/Bid Etc.) ID: SW-29806 California

Government Authority located in California; USA based organization looking for expert vendor for emergency mass notification system.

[A] Budget: Looking for Proposal

[B] Scope of Service:

(1) Vendor needs to provide emergency mass notification system.
– Provide a robust, interactive, reliable, high-speed notification system that can send notifications to thousands of recipients
– Ability to import private, listed, and unlisted call numbers to be updated at a minimum of half-year intervals
– Proposed solution must be an integrated public alert and warning system compliant and compatible and usable at initial installation
– Solution must be designed specifically for emergency notifications using a secure internet-based system
– Solution must have the capability to initiate at least 10,000, 30-second voice messages per hour
– Ability to send multiple notifications at the same time to the same or different recipients
– Ability to prioritize emergency notifications over standard notifications in the message delivery queue
– Able to publish a self-registration web page for residents to opt-in and opt-out
– Ability to initiate and deliver notifications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days per year (24/7/365) with 99.99% availability
– Ability to export existing recipient and contact information to excel or a csv file
– Ability to customize the greeting that precedes a message delivered by voice
– Ability to store and use multiple contact numbers and addresses for each recipient
– Ability to send both a recorded message and a text message in a single notification to all recipients for delivery to appropriate devices
– Ability to create and save pre-recorded voice and text messages for later use in notifications
– Ability to schedule any type of notification to be sent at a future date and time
– Ability to leave a message when a voice-delivered message reaches an answering machine or voicemail
– Ability to search for a geographic location using different criteria
– Ability to use an interactive map through a standard geographical information system format to select a geographic area using polygons and drawing tools.
(2) All questions must be submitted no later than January 10, 2020.


Saint Charles MNS SCOPE OF WORK

The City of Saint Charles, Missouri (hereinafter, the “City”) is a local government in the St. Louis metropolitan area with a population of approximately 65,000. The City is seeking a vendor to provide a Mass Notification & Emergency Alert System (hereinafter, the “System”) that has the capability of mass notification to individuals, as well as targeted messaging to individuals and groups through customized lists and geographic selection.

The proposed solution shall be a single, integrated solution offering comprehensive security and built-in redundancy of operations based on the concept of a unified messaging and communication
application. It should provide for a single, common process to issue alerts or other communication requests over multiple protocols and devices.

SYSTEM FEATURES
Any proposed System shall, at minimum, include the following features:

  • Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS)
  • Multiple Groups for Messaging (i.e. General Public, Employee Groups, Other Internal Groups, etc.)
  • Public will be allowed to opt-in and/or opt-out at any time, editing their own information and desired alert types
  • Emergency & Non-Emergency Messaging via Text, Mobile App, Phone Call (Cellular & Landline), Email, and City’s Social Media
  • Geo-Targeting Capability (at minimum, point with radius; City prefers free form selection
    for targeted distribution)
  • Unlimited System Users
  • Unlimited System Administrator Users
  • Unlimited Calls and/or Text Messages
  • Initial Training for Administrators (Train the Trainer Approach)
  • Capable of Creating & Storing Template Messages
  • Reporting Capabilities (i.e. Pre-Formatted & Ad Hoc Reporting Tools)

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE, INFRASTRUCTURE & SECURITY

  • System shall be fully hosted by Vendor requiring no additional hardware, equipment, storage, etc. by City
  • System shall be web-based providing the City the ability to access the System via a secure internet connection from any computer, tablet, or smartphone to send alerts and notifications.

The Christina School District is soliciting competitive proposals to provide a modern, robust communication and engagement solution. This solution must include website design, development and hosting, a mass notification system, and a mobile application.

This request for proposals (“RFP”) is issued pursuant to 29 Del. C. §§ 6981 and 6982.


Issued By:Virginia Community College Shared Services Center
Type:Request for Proposals (RFP)
Category:Non-Professional Services – Technology
Work Location: Various
Description:The purpose of this RFP is to solicit sealed proposals to establish a contract(s) through competitive negotiations for the purchase of a commercially available web based emergency alert notification system including implementation and training for the Virginia Community College System including its 23 colleges.

Fire and Medical Alert Systems (34015)
Emergency Radio/Telephone Systems (411, 911 etc. Dispatch) (83845)
Audiotex Voice Response Systems (88316)
Voice Mail Systems (88390)
Telecommunication Services (Not Otherwise Classified) (91579)
Warning System Services, Citizen (91595)
Alarm Services (99005)
Disaster Preparedness/Emergency Planning Services (99029)


Summary

Emergency Mass Communications Solution Bid Solicitation: S-16500-00000005 Header Information Bid Number: S-16500-00000005 Description: Emergency Mass Communications Solution Bid Opening Date: 05/13/2019 02:00:00 PM Purchaser: Erin Smith Organization: Secretary of State Department: 16506 – Information Systems Location: ISCIO – Office of the CIO Fiscal Year: 19 Type Code: Allow Electronic Quote: Yes Alternate Id: Required Date: Available Date : 04/22/2019 02:00:00 PM Info Contact: Contact Erin Smith at 503-986-2270 or via email at erin.m.smith@oregon.gov Bid Type: OPEN Informal Bid Flag: No Purchase Method: Open Market Pre Bid Conference: Bulletin Desc: Proposers are required to submit a written proposal covering the content requirements specified in the attached solicitation document. Vendors proposing qualifying products may be invited to perform a virtual demo for the agency. See the Attachments tab for complete information. Ship-to Address: Information Systems Division 255 Capitol St. NE Suite 180 Salem, OR 97310 US Email: servicedesk.sos@oregon.gov Phone: (503)986-0505 Bill-to Address: Business Services Division 255 Capitol St. NE Suite 180 Salem, OR 97310 US Email: purchasing.sos@oregon.gov Phone: (503)986-2204 Print Format: File Attachments: Intermediate RFP – Emergency Mass Communications Solution.pdf Form Attachments: Item Information Item # 2: ( 990 – 39 ) Vendors must attach their pricing, as per the Proposal Content Requirements (see the Attachments tab). Agency is seeking a web-hosted, software-based Emergency Mass Communications Solution, and is requesting pricing and proposed costs for software and support. (Note that pricing has been disabled for this item. All pricing must be included as an attachment to your Quote.) NIGP Code: 990-39 Emergency Systems Monitoring Service to include Alarms and Operational Readiness Reporting Qty Unit Cost UOM Total Discount Amt. Tax Rate Tax Amount Total Cost 1.0 LUMP SUM – Lump Sum Manufacturer: Brand: Model: Make: Packaging:

Craig is a  senior staff writer for Kiosk Industry Group Association. He has 25 years of experience in the industry. He contributed to this article.
Author: Staff Writer

Craig Keefner -- With over 40 years in the industry and technology, Craig is widely considered to be an expert in the field. Major early career kiosk projects include Verizon Bill Pay kiosk and hundreds of others. Craig helped start kioskmarketplace and formed the KMA. Note the point of view here is not necessarily the stance of the Kiosk Association or kma.global