[Techtaffy Newsdesk]
RELM Wireless has been named as a supplier under the Tactical Communications (TacCom) contract issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). RELM is one of three companies designated by the contract as a qualified small business supplier for subscriber equipment (i.e. portable and mobile two-way radios). The contract does not specify purchase dates or quantities of equipment from any particular named supplier.
The contract is for the procurement of P25 digital two-way radios and related equipment by all agencies of the DHS, as well as certain other non-DHS agencies, such as the U.S. Departments of Justice, State, Interior, and the White House Communications Agency. The maximum total value of the contract is $3 billion with a two-year base period commencing on March 26, 2012, and three one-year option periods from March 26, 2014 through March 26, 2017.
The TacCom contract names a select group of suppliers, including RELM, that meet established qualifications. The contract also contains guidelines intended to assure that qualified small business suppliers are the beneficiaries of a portion of the equipment procurements made under the contract.
APCO Project 25 (P25), which requires interoperability among compliant equipment regardless of the manufacturer, was established by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials and is approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The shift toward interoperability gained momentum as a result of communications failures in critical emergency situations.