The IWN program is a joint effort of the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Treasury to provide secure, interoperable wireless communications that support the missions of the respective federal agencies. IWN will provide a range of secure and reliable wireless communications services, including voice, data and multimedia, to support federal law enforcement, homeland security, and first responder operations. The program will implement solutions to provide federal agency interoperability with appropriate links to state, local and tribal public safety and homeland security entities.
The Department selected General Dynamics C4 Systems as a result of its work during the IWN design competition, which was the final of three phases of the IWN acquisition. In August 2006, the Department asked interested companies to prepare and submit for government review wireless communication system designs and implementation plans for a specific geographic area of the country. Based on the government's evaluation of the contractors' deliverables, the DOJ selected General Dynamics as its IWN integrator. The contract is also available for use by the other IWN partners.
"A key principle of the IWN program is flexibility to evolve and account for changes in the wireless technology industry and operational requirements of the partner agencies," said Vance E. Hitch, Chief Information Officer for the Department of Justice. "Through the program, the IWN partner agencies are committed to achieving effective interoperability among federal law enforcement and homeland security agents, as well as between the federal agencies and the state and local agencies with which we partner."
The IWN acquisition has been conducted in three phases. In June 2006, the Department awarded General Dynamics indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts following an advisory down select process (phase 1) and a full and open competition (phase 2). The selection of General Dynamics C4 Systems as the contractor for the IWN program concludes the third and final phase of the IWN acquisition process.
Federal components participating in the IWN include:
- From the Department of Justice: Federal Bureau of Investigation; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; U.S. Marshals Service; Bureau of Prisons; and Office of Inspector General;
- From the Department of Homeland Security: Immigration and Customs Enforcement; Customs and Border Protection; Transportation Security Administration; U.S. Secret Service; U.S. Coast Guard; Federal Protective Service; and Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
- From the Department of the Treasury: Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
