Navy moves forward with command, control agile development vehicle
By
Nick Wakeman
The Navy is moving closer to putting out a solicitation in search of more agile development principles to support its command and control system.
The Navy is making progress on writing a $100 million contract to develop new software solutions for supporting command and control systems with a solicitation expected early next year.
The multiple-award contract is being developed by the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command along with the Program Executive Office, Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I).
In a new sources sought notice, the Navy posted that the solicitation is likely to be released in the second quarter of fiscal 2022, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31.
The primary users of the contract will be the Navy Command and Control Systems Program Office and the Battlespace Awareness and Information Operations Program Office. But other parts of PEO C4I can also use the vehicle, which will be a multiple-award contract.
The software developed under this contract will be delivered “as-a-service” on a Navy or Defense Department infrastructure. The Navy is particularly interested in agile software development and support as well as integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Some systems to be supported by the contract include:
- Global Command and Control System – Maritime
- Maritime Tactical Command and Control
- Navy Air Operations Command and Control
The contract is officially designated as a new opportunity, but there currently are multiple contractors.
In a way, this is a bundling of requirements into a single vehicle. The original request for information says the Navy is looking at making awards to both large businesses and small.