NIWC Atlantic Posts C5ISR Production Notice
The Charleston-based agency seeks contractors to produce integrated military technology systems worth up to $1 billion.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Manufacturing
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The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic has released a presolicitation notice for the acquisition, engineering, and integration of C5ISR systems. The government project aims to procure between 20 and 30 integrated units to support multiple large-scale acquisition programs.
Why it matters
This initiative represents a significant long-term investment in defense technology infrastructure by the Charleston-based command. By standardizing C5ISR production, the agency expects to streamline the development and deployment of critical support equipment.
The government estimates the value of the indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract at $500 million to $1 billion. Contractors must be capable of maintaining a concurrent production rate of 20 to 30 integrated C5ISR systems.
The players
Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic
Headquartered in Charleston, this organization serves as a key command within the U.S. Navy for information warfare and systems engineering.
The details
The contract includes a five-year base ordering period and an additional five-year optional term to support engineering and delivery. Procurement will occur under full and open competition, adhering to NAICS code 335999 with a 600-employee size standard.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: NIWC Atlantic posted the official presolicitation notice.
October 16, 2026: Deadline for firms to register for the upcoming conference.
October 22, 2026: Date for the virtual pre-solicitation industry conference.
Q1 FY27: Projected release date for the formal request for proposals.
Market Landscape
This solicitation highlights the growing defense industry reliance on large-scale, indefinite-delivery contracts to manage complex, multi-year technological rollouts. It positions firms within the C5ISR sector to compete for significant market share in Charleston and beyond.
Local businesses and defense suppliers may need to prepare for potential subcontracting opportunities arising from this multi-billion dollar engagement. The procurement scale will likely influence local labor demand and regional supply chain activity over the next decade.
The takeaway
This solicitation marks a major milestone in the Navy's strategy to modernize its intelligence and surveillance capabilities through long-term partnerships. Companies aiming to participate should focus on the technical requirements for the 20 to 30 integrated units to ensure compliance with the upcoming RFP.
What happens next
A virtual pre-solicitation conference for interested contractors is scheduled to take place on October 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local defense industry developments, visit the Manufacturing section.
More information
Interested parties can review the full notice and procurement details on the SAM contract opportunities portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Intelligence Community News.
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