Army delays final RFP of encryption device

The Army program executive office responsible for network modernization is delaying the release of the final request for proposals for an advanced encryption device, in the meantime considering if it should award the contract to two vendors.

In a June 16 post on beta.sam.gov, the Army Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical announced that the RFP for its Next Generation Load Device-Medium would be delayed to “no later than November.” The RFP was originally scheduled for release this month and was to be a single-award contract.

“Under consideration are plans to award contracts for up to two vendors, enable rapid software integration options, leverage potential mature Non-Developmental Item (NDI) solutions, and accelerate NSA certification,” said Paul Mehney, communications director for Army PEO C3T.

The release of the final RFP has been delayed as the program office works to incorporate industry feedback after the release of the second draft RFP in April. The delay is “due to solicitation modifications to help increase competition,” Mehney said.

The NGLD-Medium indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract is expected to be worth $700-800 million with a performance period of 10 years (a three-year base and seven one-year options), according to a presentation from PEO C3T at a virtual industry day in early June.

Contract management is also shifting from the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization at the Defense Information Systems Agency to Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, where PEO C3T is located. That move was made to create “long-term efficiency,” Mehney said.

The NGLD-Medium effort falls under the purview of Project Lead Network Enablers, which will hand over that responsibility at the end of the summer, PEO C3T announced in early June. The work will transition to Project Manager Tactical Radios by the end of the summer, Mehney added.

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