DHS To Spend Up To $389 Million On Emergency CommunicationsDHS To Spend Up To $389 Million On Emergency Communications

The Department of Homeland Security has picked four contractors to support national security communications over the next five years in an effort that could see the department spending up to $389 million.

Under the terms of the contract, Booz Allen Hamilton, General Dynamics, SAIC and SRA International will provide scientific, engineering and technical support to the National Communications System, an interagency group that's responsible for some cybersecurity and coordinates national security and emergency preparedness communications.

NCS includes services that do things like give authorized national security officials and traffic priority on data, landline and wireless networks in the case of a national emergency.

"With growing and changing threats to our nation, it is critical for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to continue to protect our national security and emergency preparedness telecommunications services and facilities," Lou Von Thaer, president of General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, said in a statement announcing his company's contract win.

Contractors will bolster the National Communications System with project management support, strategic planning, technical analysis, training, emergency operations support and coordination and necessary equipment purchases. They'll also help the government implement government services that get priority during emergencies, help consolidate various communications architectures, analyze networks, and coordinate efforts with state and local governments and industry.

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