[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.