Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) Operations, Sustainment, and Support (BOSS) IDIQ Period of Performance and Ordering Period Extension
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force has issued a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (J&A) to extend the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) Operations, Sustainment, and Support (BOSS) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This action extends the ordering period by two years and the Period of Performance (PoP) by one year, both to January 2028, to allow for a new Task Order (TO) for continued BACN operations and sustainment. The current contract is a sole-source award to Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS).
Purpose of Extension
The extension is necessary to ensure the uninterrupted provision of highly specialized services for BACN operations and sustainment. It facilitates the award of a new Task Order to cover critical support functions while the Air Force evaluates future BACN requirements and potential replacement solutions.
Scope of Services
The BOSS IDIQ covers comprehensive services for BACN, including: CONUS/OCONUS operations and sustainment of payloads, maintenance and support of payloads and ancillary equipment, Field Service Representatives (FSRs), operational analysis, site activation/moves, demobilization, home basing support, DMSMS support, exercise support, System Integration Laboratory (SIL) operations, equipment inventories, software upgrades/patching/fielding, training, ground station support, ground/airborne system checks, logistics, depot activation support, operations transition, documentation, and sustainment operations of other BACN systems.
Contract Details
- Current Contractor: Northrop Grumman Mission Systems (NGMS)
- Previous Contract Number: FA8726-21-D-0001
- Award Date: January 21, 2021
- Original Completion Date: January 20, 2026
- Proposed Extension: Ordering period and PoP extended to January 2028
- New Task Order (TO) Structure: Three-year PoP (one 12-month base period and two 12-month option periods), utilizing Cost Reimbursement (CR), Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), and Time and Materials (T&M) contract types.
- New TO Projected Award: January 2027
Justification for Sole Source
The justification for this sole-source extension is based on NGMS's unique capabilities as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and their proprietary software, including Gateway Manager and Tactical Data Link Integration Exerciser (TIGER), which are critical for sustaining the BACN system. Market research indicated no other contractor possesses the comprehensive skills required for BACN maintenance, upgrades, and hardening while maintaining steady 24/7 operations. Barriers to competition include NGMS's proprietary software and the significant cost and schedule impact of onboarding a new contractor. Although the program office has worked to convert data rights to Unlimited Rights, not all barriers to competition have been removed.
Additional Notes
The BACN system has been operational since December 2008, flying over 18,000 combat missions. A study is currently underway to determine the future of the BACN requirement and potential replacement options. This notice is a justification for an extension, not a solicitation for new proposals.