The state of Alabama issued a request for proposal (RFP) in an effort to solicit bids from vendors to build and maintain the LTE radio access network (RAN) in the state, if the governor chooses to pursue the opt-out alternative to FirstNet, becoming the second state in the U.S. to conduct such a procurement. Bidders are required to submit proposals to the state of Alabama by 4 p.m. EST on Oct. 14, and the state plans to announce its potential partner by mid-January, according to the RFP. However, the RFP contains numerous references to the fact that Alabama only would build the 700 MHz RAN within its borders, if the state chooses to opt out of FirstNet and build the RAN on its own, instead of letting FirstNet and its contractor deploy it. Alabama issues RFP for public-safety LTE RAN network, says it has not made opt-out decision