Motorola joins in contract for federal base radio system
Motorola announced this morning that it received a base radio system 10-year, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for land mobile radio products and services.
The Army’s Communications and Electronics Command at Fort Monmouth, NJ, manages the BRS program that enables federal agencies to purchase products and services that comply with applicable Department of Defense Guidance and National Telecommunication and Information Administration narrowbanding mandates. Those products and services can range from full, turnkey wireless communications systems to site preparation, technical support, system design and site analysis, and maintenance services.
Other authorized vendors include E. F. Johnson Company, M/A-Com and Engineered Systems. The overall program in which all vendors participate is estimated to be worth $1 billion.
“We believe the BRS program offers the most comprehensive contracting vehicle ever issued by the federal government to facilitate implementation of land mobile radio systems,” said Bill Turkaly, Motorola vice president and general manager, United States Federal Government Markets Division. “We’re excited about our selection because it enables us to focus all of our resources, expertise and specific land mobile radio systems and technologies on creating innovative communications solutions for our federal customers.”
The three BRS program categories provide federal agencies considerable flexibility in solving their communications needs. Motorola has been selected as an authorized vendor for all three categories.
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Category I includes the design and implementation of entirely new land mobile radio systems, or expansions or upgrades of existing systems using newly developed land mobile radio technologies.
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Category II includes the acquisition of land mobile radio equipment only. Conventional or trunking-capable equipment is available.
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Category III includes engineering services for system designs, upgrades, migration plans, and technical assistance to prepare frequency request documentation, among other support services.
The procurement process begins with an agency developing its Customer Requirement Statement (CRS), which is then provided to authorized vendors. Vendors then submit fixed-price proposals. These proposals are evaluated by the individual agency with the support of the BRS Management Office, and a vendor is selected.
A statement from Motorola said that the company’s efforts as an authorized BRS vendor will build on its long history with the Base Support Trunked Radio System (BSTRS) program, a similar program that focused on LMR trunked radio systems.
“We believe BRS provides Motorola the opportunity to help agencies take full advantage of the benefits sophisticated land mobile radio systems can provide,” said Turkaly. “Given the challenges facing federal agencies everywhere today, no capability could be more important.”
Motorola USFGMD has established a BRS Program Office in Hanover, MD, to service federal agencies. The Motorola BRS Program Office can be contacted by calling 877-873-4668, ext. 6277, or by sending an email to [email protected] More information is available at the Motorola BRS Web site.
