10 hot contracts on the move

Think of this feature as your mobile and wireless hit list.

Compiled for Washington Technology by market research firm Input, these are the untethered communications projects on the horizon that will be getting the most attention from equipment manufacturers and systems integrators in the coming months.

And when we say mobile and wireless, we aren’t talking about cell phones or even smart phones — though those types of opportunities are definitely in here. No, mobile and wireless can encompass more than that, which makes this a ripe area for systems integrators.

The driver behind many of these projects is the need to connect and share data among sensors, information systems and people. That’s why you’ll see opportunities that include cellular technologies, radios and satellites.

More than ever, data needs to be on the go.

Contract: COTS Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Support Equipment
AKA: COTS ISR
Agency: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
Value: $500 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: This is expected to be a full and open contract with multiple winners that will compete for task orders.
Purpose: This is a companion contract to COTS Communications. Spawar wants commercial suppliers of equipment for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The contract is for Spawar systems centers that support other Defense Department and civilian agencies. The primary mission is knowledge superiority for warfighters.
The type of equipment and systems needed includes amplifiers, bus controllers, communications surveillance equipment, digitizers, Global Positioning System equipment, receivers, recorders and video surveillance equipment. According to Input, interested companies, both as prime contractors and subcontractors, include Apptis Inc., Cisco Systems Inc., Goodrich Corp., Integral Systems Inc., Siemens Enterprise Communications Inc., VBrick Systems Inc., and T-Mobile USA.

Contract: COTS Communications Technology Products
AKA: COTS Communications
Agency: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
Value: $500 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: This is expected to be a full and open contract with multiple winners that will compete for task orders.
Purpose: This is a companion contract to COTS ISR. Spawar wants commercial communications equipment for its systems centers. Requirements include equipment procurement; equipment support, including training; production validation, security and identification; and program management. According to Input, companies expressing interest, as prime contractors or subcontractors, include ASG Federal, Adaptech Corp., Bivio Networks Inc., Comtech, LGS Innovations, PanTech and Geeks Onsite.

Contract: Tactical Handheld Digital Devices
Agency: Army Corps of Engineers
Value: $281 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: Small-business set-aside
Purpose: The topographic engineering center under the Engineer Research and Development Center needs tactical handheld digital devices. The center supports a variety of missions that include warfighters, installations, water resources, environmental initiatives, information technology and research. The contract includes supporting equipment so the devices can connect to sensor feeds, communication nodes and other hardware. The contract also will cover installation, maintenance and training. Sierra Nevada Corp. is the incumbent. Other companies that have expressed interest include Raytheon, Gtech Corp. Comtech, Atlas Telecom Services and LandSea Systems.

Contract: Airport Surface Detection Equipment Model X
AKA: ASDE-X
Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Value: $275 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: Undetermined
Purpose: ASDE-X helps FAA maintain safe separation between planes and vehicles on the ground at airports, which is where some of the worst aviation disasters occur. Those disasters include the largest aviation accident in history, which took 583 lives when two aircraft collided on a runway in the Canary Islands in 1977. More recently, 49 people were killed when a pilot mistakenly taxied onto a closed runway and tried to take off on a runway that was too short. The core surveillance capabilities are intended to depict aircraft and vehicle positions and identifications on a color map of the airport and issue alerts to warn controllers. Data will be fused from a variety of sources to track positions and predict future positions. Sensis Corp. is the incumbent contractor. Input said other companies that have expressed interest in the project as subcontractors include GBTI Solutions, Geeks Onsite, Siemens Enterprise Communications and Suntron Corp.

Contract: DOI Wireless Solution
Agency: Interior Department
Value: $250 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: Full and open competition for a blanket purchase agreement.
Purpose: Interior is looking for a cellular communications plan that allows for continuous upgrades, as available. Requirements include systems for billing and invoicing, online service orders and tracking, trouble and complaint handling, and management and administrative reporting. Objectives include nationwide coverage; increased service levels for users; inventory of subscribers, including services, equipment and costs; up-to-date equipment; and security. The department also wants flexibility in billing and payment methods. Potential bidders include Verizon, AT&T and Louis Consulting Group.

Contract: Global Positioning System Modernized User Equipment
AKA: GPS MUE
Agency: Air Force Space Command
Value: $103 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: Full and open
Purpose: The MUE program is the user segment of the GPS modernization effort and is designed to buy receiver cards that comply with the requirements of the GPS program. Work will include design and testing work, in addition to delivery, documentation and demonstration of new receivers. Configuration management that complies with military standards also is a requirement. Incumbents on the program include L-3 Communications, Rockwell Collins and Raytheon Co.

Contract: MICH Communication Suites
AKA: MICH
Agency: Army Special Operations Command
Value: $48.5 million
Status: Source selection
Type of contract: Small-business set-aside
Purpose: The contract will be used to buy commercial modular integrated communication headsets for maritime communications. The headsets need high-noise inner aural, high-noise circum aural and low-noise features that are compatible with special forces' radio and mobility platforms. The complete headset must be operational at 3 feet for 30 minutes and the low-noise configuration must be operational at 66 feet for three hours. Demo models are expected with the proposals. Some of the companies interested include Rockwell Collins, Alliant Tech Systems, CDW Corp., Pacific Star Communications and SAVA LLC.

Contract: Satellite Communications Equipment and Training
Agency: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
Value: $48 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: Full and open
Purpose: Spawar uses this contract to purchase equipment and training, including routers, line cards, satellite routers, satellite modems and other satellite equipment. Warrant and support also are part of the contracting. The training requirement includes maintenance, operation and installation. DRS Technologies is the incumbent.

Contract: Land Mobile Radio Systems to Support the Wireless Interior Communication Program
AKA: LMR
Agency: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
Value: $30 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: Undetermined
Purpose: This contract is to purchase equipment for land-mobile radio systems. Requirements include complying with the Hydra Operational Requirements Document. The equipment must be digital and narrowband in the frequency range of 380 to 400 MHz. It also must be compatible with shipboard radio frequency emitters and other peripherals. The equipment also must be compatible with wireless internal communications decks, amphibious assault ship well decks and vehicle decks. It also must operate in rain, snow, extreme noise, and extreme heat and cold. M/A-Com Inc. is the incumbent. Other interested bidders include General Dynamics, L-3 Communications, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, according to Input.

Contract: Frequency Surveillance Systems Modernization
AKA: FSS Modernization
Agency: Army Test and Evaluation Command
Value: $21.7 million
Status: Pre-RFP
Type of contract: Full and open
Purpose: The FSS Modernization is a system of fixed, transportable and mobile surveillance stations; control centers; remote interactive displays; and chase vehicles at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The units operate as a single system or in stand-alone mode. There are five fixed, two transportable and three mobile surveillance stations. SAT Corp. is the incumbent contractor. Other potential bidders might include Amsec LLC, Arinc, BAE Systems, Boeing Co., Covansys, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Savi Technology, according to Input.

Source: Input