GOVERNOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 43 (2011)

Continuing the Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS)

I. Importance of the Initiative

It is essential that a statewide system of integrated radio and wireless data communication be maintained for state agencies engaged in public protection and safety and for the mutual aid needs of state and local law enforcement agencies.

The management structure of a statewide radio system that is shared between numerous agencies that provide public protection and safety services poses considerable challenges. To meet the needs of all potential users, the managing entity must establish and provide formal communication avenues for users of the system to report system problems and to provide valuable input to the design of the system and its efficient operations and troubleshooting.

In order to be effective, a statewide radio system must meet the needs of a diverse group of agencies and localities. Therefore, appropriate entities, composed of Secretarial representation for each of the participating agencies, must be established and empowered to oversee policy and direction for the system. Also, a maintenance and operation unit has been established to manage, maintain, and operate the reliable integrated radio communications system.

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to Section 2.2-103 of the Code of Virginia, and subject to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby continue the initiative to accomplish the goals of the Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS).

Pursuant to Chapter 3, Title 52, of the Code of Virginia, I hereby continue the initiatives associated with the Statewide Agencies Radio System (STARS) to meet the need for an integrated radio and wireless data communications system for state agencies engaged in public protection and safety and for interconnection between state and local police communication systems at the city and county level. As part of this initiative, I hereby continue the STARS Management Group (hereinafter called the "Management Group"), and STARS Project Management Team (hereinafter called the "Management Team"), and the User Agency Requirements Committee (hereinafter called "UARC").

II. STARS Membership

The STARS membership shall be composed of the following state agencies, and any other state agencies or institutions and local government agencies or institutions that the Management Group approves:

Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Police,

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,

Division of Charitable Gaming,

Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control,

Division of Capitol Police,

Department of Conservation and Recreation,

Department of Corrections,

Department of Emergency Management,

Department of Environmental Quality,

Department of Fire Programs,

Department of Forestry,

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries,

Department of Health,

Department of Juvenile Justice,

Department of Military Affairs,

Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy,

Department of Motor Vehicles,

Department of State Police,

Department of Transportation,

Virginia Information Technologies Agency,

Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and

Virginia Port Authority.

Withdrawal by state agencies and institutions from STARS shall be only upon approval of the Management Group.

III. STARS Management Group

The Management Group shall provide overall direction and governance for the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of STARS.

A. Composition of the Management Group

The Secretaries of Public Safety, Technology, Transportation, Natural Resources, Commerce and Trade, Health and Human Resources, Agriculture and Forestry, Finance and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security shall serve as members of the Management Group.

The Secretary of Public Safety shall serve as chair of the Management Group. The chair of the Management Group shall have the power to set meetings and make assignments to members of the user group established below.

B. Duties of the Management Group:

The specific duties of the Management Group are to:

• Provide direction and overall governance for the STARS, including communications privacy and security,

• Review all procurements and contracts relating to the STARS,

• Coordinate and assign radio frequency licenses granted by the federal government to agencies of the Commonwealth, and

• Promote interagency cooperation and coordination in the use of communications resources.

The Management Group shall also designate and oversee the Management Team.

IV. STARS Project Management Team

The Management Team shall provide staff for overall direction and governance for the development, implementation, and ongoing operation of STARS.

A. Composition of the Management Team:

The Management Team shall consist of persons with project management, electrical engineering, civil engineering, communications technology, procurement, contract administration, and accounting expertise.

B. Duties of the Management Team:

The Management Team shall be responsible for maintaining a comprehensive management plan and procedures for the use and operation of STARS. It shall also be responsible for resolving general operating issues between STARS users. Any issues that can not be resolved by the Management Team shall be addressed by the Management Group.

V. STARS User Agency Requirements Committee (UARC)

A user group called the User Agency Requirements Committee (UARC), consisting of representatives from each member agency and institution, shall assist the Management Team. The Management Group shall select the chairman. The STARS Program Director serves as the co-chairman of UARC.

A. Composition of UARC:

The head of each member agency and institution shall appoint one member of their respective staffs and a designated alternate to serve on UARC.

B. Duties of UARC:

The User Group shall assist the Management Team by establishing such operating procedures, executive committee, and subcommittees, as it deems appropriate to carry out its work. UARC shall meet as necessary, but at least quarterly.

The specific duties of UARC are to:

• Advise of the needs of member agencies for the maintenance and operation of STARS,

• Provide advice on proposals for other federal, state, or local agencies to join STARS and on any proposals for third party use of any STARS infrastructure or component, and

• Assist the Management Team with the maintenance of a comprehensive management plan and procedures for the use and operation of STARS. The management plan and any changes thereto shall be subject to review and approval by the Management Group.

VI. STARS Procurement

As provided in Item 457 of the 2002 Appropriation Act (Chapter 899 of the 2002 Acts of Assembly), the Commonwealth entered into a Contract with Motorola on July 13, 2004, for the design, construction, and implementation of STARS with the approval of the Governor and the General Assembly.

The Secretary of Public Safety, with the assistance of the Secretary of Finance, the Secretary of Technology, the Department of Planning and Budget, and the Treasurer, continues the oversight for the financing of STARS.

The Management Group shall report on the status of STARS, including the status of any contract negotiations within the limitations of the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1 of each year.

VII. Effective Date of this Executive Order

This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect unless amended or rescinded by further Executive Order.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia on this 9th day of December 2011.

/s/ Robert F. McDonnell
Governor