FirstNet Proposals and Responses (Office of the Governor - Maine)

Michael Morisy filed this request with the Office of the Governor - Maine of Maine.
Multi Request FirstNet Proposals and Responses
Submitted Jan. 9, 2018
Due Jan. 17, 2018
Est. Completion None
Status
Awaiting Response

From: Michael Morisy

Subject: Freedom of Access Act Request: FirstNet Proposals and Responses (Office of the Governor - Maine)

Email

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Maine Freedom of Access Act ("FOAA"), I hereby request the following records:

* All the information about the plan FirstNet sent to the Governor's Office in late September and your state's response to FirstNet or the First Responder Network Authority.
* Any requests by state officials for access to inspect national FirstNet contracts and MOUs with AT&T.

As background for responding to this request, FirstNet is a organization within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration established in 2012 for the sole purpose of setting up a nationwide cellular network that first responders can use. Earlier this year, FirstNet signed a deal with AT&T this year and in September submitted a plan to all 50 states for the rollout of this network. States have 90 days to either opt in to the plan (binding them to AT&T for 25 years) or develop an alternative plan of their own, with no response opting the state into the AT&T plan.

There is more information on FirstNet and the proposal process available at the following article:

http://m.urgentcomm.com/ntiafirstnet/firstnet-att-release-state-plans-governors-make-opt-inopt-out-decisions-mid-december

As well as on FirstNet’s webiste: https://www.firstnet.gov

I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as we believe this request is in the public interest, as suggested but not stipulated by 1 M.R.S.A. § 408(6). The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Michael Morisy

From: Office of the Governor - Maine

Subject: FOAA Response

Email

January

Michael Morisy
MuckRock

Dear Mr. Morisy,

Thank you for your letter requesting certain documents under 1 M.R.S.A. § 408-A, Maine's Freedom of Access Act ("FOAA"). This letter constitutes official acknowledgement and response to your request.

You request of the Office of the Governor the following:

1. All the information about the plan FirstNet sent to Governor LePage's Office from September 15th

2. Any responses to FirstNet from Governor LePage's Office

3. Any requests by the Governor's staff to inspect national FirstNet contracts and MOUS with AT&T
I put a start date of September 15th on this request as the request simply said late September. If you feel that that date is not appropriate please let me know. We will begin reviewing our files for records that are responsive to your request. Please note that we may only respond to your request to the extent that the Governor's Office has custody of the requested materials, and under 1 M.R.S.A §408-A(6), we are "not required to create a record that does not exist."
We do require a reasonable period to go through our records to determine when we may be able to provide any responsive documents. Once we make this determination, we will provide you with a good faith, non-binding estimate of the time and cost of complying with your request.
Please note that we currently have a number of FOAA requests pending in addition to the normal workload of our office. Yours will be processed in the ordinary course of business.
Thank you,

William Thompson

From: Office of the Governor - Maine

Subject: RE: Freedom of Access Act Request: FirstNet Proposals and Responses (Office of the Governor - Maine)

Email

Dear Mr. Morisy,
I responded to your request with notification of receipt. Once I have a chance to do a cursory look I will be able to put together a time and cost estimate.
Best,
William Thompson

From: Office of the Governor - Maine

Subject: RE: [EXTERNAL SENDER] Freedom of Access Act Request: FirstNet Proposals and Responses (Office of the Governor - Maine)

Email

This will acknowledge your request. Your request calls for documents of the prior administration which will need to be located and reviewed for possible confidential information. You will be updated when we determine how long it will take to fill your request, and the applicable fees.

While you reference a prior request sent during the time of the prior administration, that is not available to us.

Thank you.

From: Office of the Governor - Maine

Subject: RE: Maine Freedom of Access Act Request: FirstNet Proposals and Responses (Office of the Governor - Maine)

Email

Thanks for your message, we’re working on FOAA requests as best we can. Thanks for your patience.

From: Office of the Governor - Maine

Subject: RE: Maine Freedom of Access Act Request: FirstNet Proposals and Responses (Office of the Governor - Maine)

Email

Thank you for your patience, we are working on your request.