In a recent US government decision which delivered yet another notable blow to BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM), the US Defense Department, the Pentagon, said in a recent announcement that its exclusive contract with RIM was now being opened to other device manufacturers, including Apple and Google.

In a Wednesday disclosure about its move, the Pentagon said that even though it would continue using "large numbers" of BlackBerry handsets, companies other than RIM were also being asked to submit their applications for a government contract - which may likely be awarded in April - to provide software which can effectively monitor, manage, as well as enforce the security requirements of US military.

According to a Reuters report, citing information shared by a Pentagon spokesperson, while the Pentagon was not dropping the BlackBerry devices altogether, it was expanding its reach with other device makers so as to ensure that "new and innovative applications" can be used by US military.

Meanwhile, though the Defense Department is opening up the bidding for the contract to Apple and Google, it is still likely that the contract - for a requirement of at least 162,500 devices in one year - may be awarded to RIM.

Sounding optimistic on that front, Paul Lucier - RIM's VP of government solutions - told CNET that RIM is "confident that BlackBerry is, and will continue to be, the best solution for government agencies." Lucier further added: "BlackBerry brings unparalleled real-time mobile access to police forces and the military to ensure public safety."