General Dynamics Selected for the Construction Management / General Contractor Role for Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network

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General Dynamics Information Technology

May 13, 2010, 02:00 ET

FAIRFAX, Va., May 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- General Dynamics Information Technology, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a three-year contract by the state of Oregon to support the Oregon Wireless Interoperability Network (OWIN) program.

General Dynamics will deploy the infrastructure for a microwave backbone and radio network to support interoperable communications throughout the state of Oregon. The company will oversee the build-out of towers, shelters and civil work to both update and upgrade public safety radio sites. The number of sites is envisioned to exceed 250 wireless facilities. These wireless systems will be used by state agencies and emergency responders. The OWIN program will enable the use of voice and data capabilities to improve real-time situational awareness and enable more effective emergency and daily operations.

OWIN follows a mandate from the Oregon State Legislature to consolidate the radio networks currently operated independently by the Oregon Department of Transportation, State Police, Forestry Department and Oregon Department of Corrections. A statewide "system of systems" will be created for mission-critical, interoperable, public safety communications. Local firefighters, police officers and emergency medical responders will be able to use the enhanced system in addition to their own radio systems.

General Dynamics will perform all of the work in Oregon, with more than 90 percent of the construction management and general contractor staff hired locally within the state. In addition, the company will use Oregon subcontractors throughout the course of the project.

"General Dynamics will deliver the infrastructure for a reliable, mission-critical communications system. Working with OWIN and its partners, General Dynamics will put local workers on the job in the weeks and months to come," said Lindsay Ball, OWIN Director for the state of Oregon. "The company's commitment to providing jobs for Oregonians guarantees that as we deliver a stronger, more reliable public safety communication system, we will also have a positive impact on the lives of Oregon workers."

"OWIN will support seamless and resilient communications across critical organizations, which will enable efficient and timely coordination between agencies, minimizing injury and property damage. A reliable and efficient radio and data infrastructure will allow first responders to quickly react in times of natural disaster and other emergency situations," said Edward Hudson, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Information Technology's Public Network Solutions sector. "General Dynamics is excited to partner with the state of Oregon to construct and upgrade the site infrastructure required for a comprehensive and integrated public safety communications network."

As a trusted systems integrator for more than 50 years, General Dynamics Information Technology provides information technology (IT), systems engineering, professional services and simulation and training to customers in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, health, federal civilian government, state and local government and commercial sectors. With approximately 17,000 professionals worldwide, the company manages large-scale, mission-critical IT programs delivering IT services and enterprise solutions. More information about General Dynamics Information Technology is available at www.gdit.com.

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 91,200 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics Information Technology