PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12th St., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 DA 11-1719 Released: October 14, 2011 LOCAL NUMBER PORTABILITY DATABASE PLATFORMS AND SERVICES: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AVAILABLE WC Docket No. 09-109 WC Docket No. 07-149 CC Docket No. 95-116 By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that a Request for Information (RFI) was issued today, October 14, 2011 to obtain information, request input, and allow potential vendors to pre-qualify to bid for the contract that will develop and manage local number portability (LNP) database platforms and services in the United States beginning in 2015. The North American Portability Management LLC’s (NAPM LLC) Future of Number Portability Administration Center Subcommittee (FoNPAC), in consultation with the North American Numbering Council (NANC), is developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for local number portability database platforms and services in the seven United States NPAC regions. In preparation for the RFP, the NAPM LLC, in consultation with the NANC, has issued a RFI to obtain information, request input, and allow potential vendors to pre-qualify to bid for the contract. The RFP is scheduled to be issued in 2012, with vendor selection, contract execution, platform testing, and system deployment to be completed prior to system launch in June 2015. Number portability promotes competition among telecommunications service providers by allowing customers to respond to price and service changes without changing their telephone numbers. Therefore, the Local Number Portability Administrator (LNPA) is important in ensuring equal and efficient access to the LNP database platforms and services for all carriers. The Commission encourages full competition in the RFP process and issues this Public Notice to ensure that interested parties are aware of the process. The NAPM LLC provides oversight and management of the LNPA at the direction of the Commission. The NANC is a Federal Advisory Committee created to advise the Commission on numbering issues. On March 8, 2011, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) issued an Order and Request for Comment that: (1) delegated authority to the NANC, working in consultation with the NAPM LLC, to implement a process for selecting the next LNPA(s); (2) directed the NANC to recommend to the Commission the next LNPA(s); and (3) outlined the Bureau’s role in overseeing the LNPA selection process.1 On May 16, 2011, the Bureau detailed the procedures that the NANC and the NAPM LLC must follow in the LNPA selection process, and further outlined the Bureau’s role in overseeing the process.2 The RFP will provide the specifications and terms for the development of a next-generation Number Portability Administration Center/Service Management System (NPAC/SMS). The NPAC/SMS consists of hardware and software platform(s) that host a national information database and serves as the central coordination point of LNP activity. Currently, Neustar, Inc. is responsible for maintaining, administering, and operating the NPAC/SMS, under a contract with the NAPM LLC to perform duties as the LNPA. Interested parties may access the RFI electronically using the Iasta SmartSource SRM® application. They may request login credentials for access to the Iasta SmartSource SRM® beginning October 14, 2011, on the NAPM LLC website (www.napmllc.org) by selecting the RFI/RFP tab. Also as of October 14, 2011, interested parties may access the RFI and submit responses via the Iasta SmartSource SRM® application. RFI responses are due on or before November 23, 2011 The Commission will issue a Public Notice when the RFP is released. For further information, contact Marilyn Jones, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-2357, or Sanford Williams, Competition Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau at (202) 418-1508, TTY (202) 418-0484. - FCC - 1 Petition of Telcordia Technologies Inc. to Reform or Strike Amendment 70, to Institute Competitive Bidding for Number Portability Administration and to End the NAPM LLC’s Interim Role in Number Portability Administration Contract; Telephone Number Portability, Order and Request for Comment, 26 FCC Rcd 3685 (March 2011 Order). 2 Petition of Telcordia Technologies Inc. to Reform or Strike Amendment 70, to Institute Competitive Bidding for Number Portability Administration and to End the NAPM LLC’s Interim Role in Number Portability Administration Contract; Telephone Number Portability, Order, 26 FCC Rcd 6839 (May 2011 Order).