Advanced Tactical Data Networking Effort

The Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River, Maryland, plans to award a sole-source, Cost Plus-Fixed Fee contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation in Melbourne, Florida, for the design, software development, testing, and evaluation of mission-critical software for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye’s Mission Computer and Displays. This effort focuses on architecting and evaluating low-latency data routing capabilities using existing datalinks, requiring specialized knowledge only Northrop Grumman possesses as the sole designer, developer, and manufacturer of the E-2D aircraft. The work is deemed non-recurring and essential to maintaining operational superiority through enhanced tactical data networking. The contract will have a 24-month performance period following award, with competition restricted under Title 10, U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1 due to the absence of any other qualified source capable of fulfilling the requirement. The solicitation, identified as N00019-26-RFPREQ-TPM231-0426, was posted on July 1, 2026, with proposals due by July 15, 2026, and falls under NAICS code 336413 for aircraft manufacturing. The primary point of contact is Laura Akowskey, with Brittany Reynolds serving as secondary contact, both reachable via U.S. Navy email addresses. The contract will be managed by the Department of Defense’s Naval Air Systems Command and performed exclusively at Northrop Grumman’s facility in Melbourne, Florida. No set-aside provisions apply, and the effort is classified as a presolicitation, indicating formal competitive intent has been waived due to exclusive technical capability.