Harris Corporation Awarded $50 Million Contract by the Oregon Department of Transportation for Statewide Radio Project

MELBOURNE, Fla. and BOSTON, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Highlights:

• Harris to provide radios, technology and services to support Oregon's Statewide Radio Project (SRP).
• Integrated network will provide the statewide communications for ODOT and the Oregon State Police.
• Contract includes more than 6,800 Harris Unity XG-100 Multiband portable and mobile radios for voice and data interoperability among state, local, county, tribal and federal agencies.

Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications and information technology company, has received a $50 million work order contract from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to deliver public safety radios, technology and services for the Oregon State Radio Project, which will support the mission-critical communications needs of ODOT and the Oregon State Police. This is the first work order under a larger master pricing agreement that is part of the multi-phase Oregon State Radio Project.  

The program includes those systems currently operated independently by the ODOT and the Oregon State Police, and initiates an integrated statewide network that will allow Oregon to comply with the federal narrowbanding mandate that governs spectrum use for land mobile radio (LMR) systems.  

"Harris is a committed partner to both the state and ODOT," said Tom Lauer, Major Projects branch manager, Oregon Department of Transportation.  "Our revised, cost-effective project enables the state to tackle three important goals.  First, our state will upgrade and modernize its aging radio communications equipment.  In addition, the improvement in our equipment will allow us to better support our local partners' public safety agencies.  Second, ODOT and Oregon State Police will meet federal communications mandates.  And finally, the new system will be the technical and operational foundation for the state to meet its future public safety needs and provide for improved interoperability among Oregon's public safety community."

The contract for the radio project includes the purchase of 6,800 Unity XG-100 portable and mobile multiband radios to deliver true interoperability for first responders.  The Unity XG-100, which features a graphical color display, Bluetooth accessories and integrated GPS (Global Positioning System), supports virtually all four public safety LMR frequencies licensed in North America, allowing state, local, county, tribal and federal radio users throughout Oregon to communicate on-scene without the need for outside assistance.

As part of the radio project, a P25 (Project 25) trunked 700 MHz radio system will be deployed in select densely populated metro areas to maintain and enhance overall system coverage and support interoperable, public safety communications.  The trunked P25 system will be fully integrated into the state system infrastructure and will be the initial IP (Internet Protocol) backbone that Oregon can expand in the future for statewide communication.

Among communications systems already in place in the state, interoperability will be increased via gateways to achieve statewide roaming that will facilitate communications between federal, tribal, county, local and state agencies.  The project network will include the installation of Harris MASTR® III base stations at existing ODOT and OSP transmission sites, including a number of mountaintop locations across the state.  Additionally, critical repairs will be made to existing ODOT and OSP sites as required to protect new equipment.

"Harris is eager to begin the deployment of the radio project, which will support Oregon's State Police and Department of Transportation communication requirements across the state," said Steve Marschilok, president, Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications.  "Our innovative solution, coupled with our one-of-a-kind Unity radios, allows Oregon to meet current requirements while bringing new capabilities to system users."  

The project implementation team includes Harris Corporation, Oregon State University, Silke Communications, Legacy Wireless Services, Event Rental Communications, Complete Wireless Solutions, Pacific Electronics, Ledcor Technical Services (LTS) and SIS-Q Communications.  Additionally, Harris will form a business incubator enterprise relationship with The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

In public safety and professional communications, Harris is a leading supplier of assured communications® systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial and transportation markets — with products ranging from the most advanced IP voice and data networks, to industry leading multiband, multimode radios, to public safety-grade broadband voice, video and data solutions.  Harris has more than 80 years of experience in public safety and professional communications and supports over 500 systems around the world.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries.  Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $6 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.  Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.  Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions.  Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Statements about the expected value of the program to Harris are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties.  Other factors that may impact the company's results and forward-looking statement may be disclosed in the company's filings with the SEC.  Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE Harris Corporation