Next Generation Tactical Radio (NGTR)
Updated
Presolicitation from the Department of the Navy, for work in Patuxent River, Maryland. Due Nov 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-5), 30 days left.
| Solicitation number | N00421-27-RFPREQ-TPM209-0199 |
|---|---|
| Agency | Department of the Navy |
| Office | Naval Air Warfare Center Air Div |
| Notice type | Presolicitation |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220) |
| Product or service code | 5821 |
| Place of performance | Patuxent River, Maryland |
| Posted | Oct 23, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-5) (30 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Official notice and attachments
Description
1.0 INTRODUCTION The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), PMA-209, located at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, is seeking information from potential sources regarding a modular Software Defined Radio (SDR) for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, designated the Next Generation Tactical Radio (NGTR). The NGTR is intended to support voice and data waveforms in the Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) bands, with operational capability extending up to 6 GHz.
It will incorporate a modular High Assurance Device (HAD) to meet National Security Agency (NSA) cryptographic and Security Evaluation Requirements Document (SERD) requirements. Additionally, the NGTR is designed to serve as a form, fit, and function backwards-compatible replacement for aircraft currently equipped with the ARC-210 Generation 5 and Generation 6 radios. This Market Research tool is being used to identify potential and eligible firms, of all sizes, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation.
The results of the Request for Information (RFI) will be utilized to determine if any Small Business Set-Aside opportunities exist. Additionally, this RFI is being used to gather constructive information from industry to improve the RFP. The following documents are attached to this RFI Notice: Attachment 1: NGTR RFI Performance Requirements - DRAFT Attachment 2: Program and Risk Feedback Matrix The following dates are anticipated time frames associated with this requirement: Estimated Industry Day: 1st Quarter FY27 Estimated Draft RFP Release: 3rd Quarter FY 27 Estimated Final RFP Release: 4th Quarter FY 27 Estimated Award Date: 2nd Quarter FY 28 Target Fleet Delivery: Mid-2034 – Production-ready NGTR systems delivered to fleet locations for aircraft installation Primary Place of Performance: Contractor facility and as needed at government test sites and government facilities for meetings with NAVAIR and NSA.
2.0 Disclaimer this request for information (RFI) is for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposal. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government.
Responses in any form are not offers and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this request is strictly voluntary.
3.0 PROGRAM BACKGROUND The NGTR system's goal is to develop a small form factor system compatible with existing and future U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft that will support: Communications waveforms in the VHF, UHF frequency bands with support for waveforms up to 6GHz. Waveforms defined in Attachment 1. A Modular, Open architecture to support rapid capability integration and obsolescence upgrades including a modular High Assurance Device (HAD) that supports NSA cryptographic and SERD requirements.
Zero Trust System security meeting applicable Risk Management Framework (RMF) controls. Minimal integration impact and modification requirements for existing and future U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft platforms. 4.0 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRED CAPABILITIES The NGTR system is expected to meet the performance requirements defined in Attachment 1: “NGTR RFI Performance Requirements” - DRAFT.
The NGTR Contractor is expected to meet the following qualifications: Have secure military software defined radios with embedded NSA certified cryptography. Have experience in agile and modular development and testing, incorporating customer feedback throughout the process. Have the ability to obtain Top Secret security clearances for employees and facility within 12 months of contract award, including the ability to support development and test up to the Top Secret level.
Have experience in developing and producing UHF and VHF RF radios supporting military and non-military communications waveforms. Has experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Have expertise and experience in reducing total life cycle support costs and utilizing predictive maintenance strategies to streamline repair procedures and reduce maintenance downtime.
Have experience establishing, maintaining, and documenting a proactive DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages) and obsolescence programs. 5.0 ELIGIBILITY The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing), with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,250 Employees.
The Product Service Code (PSC) is 5821, (Radio and Television Communication Equipment, Airborne). Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size in their capabilities statement. Note: FAR 52.219-14 Limitation on Subcontracting requires a small business prime on a Set-Aside to perform at least 50% of the cost of contract performance.
Small business primes may now count “first tier subcontracted” work performed by similarly situated entities as if it were performed by the prime itself. To assist in market research and determination of any applicable small business set-aside for this effort, small businesses interested in priming this effort and planning to use “similarly situated entities” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting, are requested to identify: The name & CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) intending to partner/subcontract Their small business size status under the NAICS that as the prime, you would assign for their workshare.
6.0 SUBMISSION DETAILS To ensure a fair, orderly, and efficient evaluation process, all interested parties must adhere to the following submission guidelines: 6.1 Logistics and Deadlines Response Date: All submissions must be received no later than 2:00 PM EST on 23 November 2026. Questions Deadline: Clarifying q
The description continues in the official notice.
Contracting contact
- Sham Keswani · [email protected]
- Travora Levasseur · [email protected]
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 334220, a business counts as small if it has no more than 1,250 employees (SBA size standard). This notice is not set aside, but the size decides your small business status on it. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Notice history
- Oct 23, 2026: Presolicitation Due Nov 23, 2026, 2:00 PM (UTC-5)
Companies that win this kind of work
Federal contractors paid for radio and television broadcasting and wireless communications equipment manufacturing work, who also hold Navy contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- L3HARRIS Technologies, Inc. $399.8 million in this trade
- Motorola Solutions, Inc. $151.2 million in this trade
- L3 Technologies, Inc. $133.1 million in this trade
- Rockwell Collins, Inc. $130.3 million in this trade
- R4 Integration Inc $68.0 million in this trade
About the buyer
The Department of the Navy awarded $129.6 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were Electric Boat Corporation, Lockheed Martin Corporation and RTX Corporation. See what Navy is buying now.
Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing contracts right now
There are 94 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 334220), 51 posted in the last 7 days; 30% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Defense Logistics Agency, Department of the Navy and Department of the Air Force. Most of the work with a stated place is in Maryland, Virginia and California. A notice in this trade gives a median of 15 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 31 days.
Coming up in this trade
Planned contracts from the agencies' procurement forecasts, often months before a solicitation. Plans can change.
Recent awards in this trade
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From the award notices agencies publish.