DOJ taps General Dynamics for IWN wireless comm system

The Justice Department announced today that it has awarded a contract to General Dynamics C4 Systems to implement an interoperable wireless communications system that is part of the Integrated Wireless Network (IWN).The network will provide consolidated communications among the federal, state and local levels of government and law enforcement.Vance Hitch, chief information officer at Justice, said the IWN program will provide the “flexibility to evolve and account for changes in the wireless technology industry and operational requirements of partner agencies.”Those partners include the Homeland Security and Treasury departments. Although Justice awarded the contract, other agencies will be able to make use of General Dynamics’ system through the contract.The contract award is the result of a three-phase contract competition. The third phase concluded in August 2006, when the department had two prospective companies -- General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin -- submit implementation plans to cover a specific area of the country.