Five vie for wireless work

Integrated Wireless Network site

Federal officials have winnowed down the number of vendors eligible for bidding on the Integrated Wireless Network contract to five contractors, according to industry sources.

A Federal Business Opportunity notice posted Dec. 17 states the government conducted an "advisory downselect" for the joint Justice, Homeland Security and Treasury departments' project. Officials at those departments aim to create a secure and reliable wireless network serving 80,000 law enforcement users at 2,500 sites, including in cities, highways, land and coastal borders, and ports of entry.

The companies invited to continue bidding for phase two are Motorola, AT&T, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, according to industry sources. Other companies still interested in phase two participation may do so, "as long as they recognize the inherent risks of doing so," the notice states.

Phase two of the IWN competition involves government officials awarding between one and three indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contracts for the nationwide network.

During phase three, vendors awarded the IDIQ contracts will be "issued a task order to prepare and deliver a detailed system design for the first service area, an implementation plan for that area and a firm fixed price to accomplish the implementation," according to a Justice Department document outlining the procurement schedule. Companies will also have to submit a design and implementation plan for the entire IWN project. Following evaluations, federal officials will then select a single IWN contractor.