Department of Homeland Security officials select five companies for Tactical Communications program

ORLANDO, Fla., 10 May 2012. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have selected five technology firms from a group of 20 to compete for future task orders through its new Tactical Communications (TACCOM) program. Lockheed Martin [NYSE:LMT] is among the five to compete for TACCOM tasks in all five of the program's core areas. The two-year program has three option years and a potential ceiling value of $3 billion for all awardees.

DHS officials intend to procure, through the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) program, vital tactical equipment engineering, operations, and maintenance services to support reliable, public-safety communication for its missions at the state and local levels. Contractors may be asked to provide equipment or engineering services to gain increased interoperability.

"Protecting national security requires good tactical communication for situational awareness and coordination," says June Shrewsbury, vice president of technical services within Lockheed Martin's Global Training and Logistics business.

Other federal agencies, such as the Departments of Interior, State, Justice, and the White House Communications Agency, can also use the TACCOM IDIQ contract vehicle to acquire equipment and services.