Joint Interagency Task Force 401 has awarded 10 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with combined base ceilings of $4.15 billion to support the Domestic Shield counter-unmanned aircraft systems initiative and other counter-drone requirements.
The awards are part of a Department of War effort to improve counter-UAS protection for risk-prioritized facilities and assets within the United States.
The Army said JIATF-401 is working with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology to develop acquisition approaches that can rapidly identify, evaluate and deploy commercial counter-drone technologies.
The latest awards include $500 million IDIQ contracts for Allen Control Systems, Digital Force Technologies, DroneShield, Napatree Technology, RADA Technologies, SRC, and L3Harris WESCAM.
Echodyne and PVP Advanced EO Systems each received $250 million IDIQ awards.
SmartShooter received a $150 million base IDIQ award.
The contracts support the JIATF-401 C-UAS Marketplace, Domestic Shield and other counter-drone requirements.
The underlying technology spans multiple layers of drone detection and defeat, including smart optical scopes that can assist individual soldiers using standard rifles, automated robotic weapon stations, compact radar systems and long-range tracking cameras.
JIATF-401 said its acquisition model aims to maintain open architecture standards and reduce dependence on proprietary systems, allowing the incorporation of additional technologies from established defense suppliers and non-traditional commercial companies as requirements evolve.
The task force is seeking to provide military services with layered counter-UAS capabilities for installations and operational environments in the U.S. and abroad.
KEY QUOTES:
“This multi-vendor marketplace enforces strict open architecture standards, breaking proprietary vendor lock and ensuring new technologies can immediately integrate into our existing defense networks. By driving continuous competition among both prime vendors and non-traditional commercial innovators, we are securing the best value for the American taxpayer and ensuring our warfighters remain ahead of our adversaries.”
Brent G. Ingraham, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology
“JIATF-401 is continuously working with the military services to provide the counter-UAS capabilities needed to protect warfighters and installations. Our approach allows us to identify the right capabilities for specific operational requirements and rapidly deliver those capabilities to the warfighter.”
Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, Director of JIATF-401
