DOD to Host Industry Day for $80 Billion Contract

The Department of Defense will hold an industry day on October 30 to discuss the upcoming Next Gen IAC MAC recompete.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Industry — General

Isometric editorial illustration of a stark, neoclassical government facade, representing federal institutional infrastructure and defense procurement processes. — The Department of Defense will hold an industry day on October 30 to discuss procurement plans for an $80 billion contract. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should federal research and development contracts prioritize broadening participation among non-traditional and academic entities?

The Department of Defense has opened registration for an industry day scheduled for October 30 regarding the Next Gen IAC MAC contract. This event aims to gather feedback on the acquisition structure for a program with a projected ceiling exceeding $80 billion.

Why it matters

The department intends to foster a competitive research and development ecosystem involving government, academic, and private partners. This recompete will replace the current IAC-MAC program, which is scheduled to sunset in April 2028.

The current IAC-MAC program has obligated $16.9 billion in task order volume to date. The top five recipients of these current funds account for 79% of total obligations.

The players

Department of Defense

The executive department of the federal government responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government related directly to national security.

The details

Attendees at the industry day will provide feedback on the acquisition approach and pose questions to officials. Interested parties must complete the registration process by October 26 to participate in the session.

The original IAC-MAC program opened in 2018.
The DOD first unveiled plans for the recompete in spring 2025.
The deadline for industry day registration is October 26, 2026.
The industry day for Next Gen IAC MAC takes place October 30, 2026.
The current IAC-MAC contract is scheduled to sunset in April 2028.

Market Landscape

This recompete signals a major expansion in the scale of government research and development procurement compared to the original 2018 framework. By increasing the ceiling to over $80 billion, the DOD is positioning this vehicle as a central pillar for future defense-related research contracting.

Companies planning to bid on the Next Gen IAC MAC must meet the October 26 registration deadline to participate in the feedback process. Stakeholders should prepare for potential shifts in the contract's pool structure for small businesses and nonprofits compared to the current program.

The takeaway

Interested organizations should focus on the transition timeline to ensure continuity as the current program approaches its 2028 expiration. Actively participating in the upcoming industry day is essential for entities seeking to influence the final design of this massive federal research contract.