Air Defense Communication Services 5 Acquisition Strategy

The Air Defense Communication Services 5 (ADCS5) acquisition is being pursued by the Department of Defense’s Telecommunications Division under solicitation number 822571847 to secure critical communications sustainment and cybersecurity services for the Air Defense Infrastructure (ADI) enterprise. Market research has concluded, and the Government plans to issue a Request for Quote on the GSA Federal Supply Schedule in August 2026, with the anticipated contract award leading to a period of performance beginning April 1, 2027, and running through March 31, 2029, plus four two-year option periods. Services will be performed across multiple locations including Tyndall AFB in Florida, other Air Defense Sectors, Command Centers in the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam, with 365/24/7 operational support required. The work encompasses sustainment of network and circuit management, maintenance of government-furnished equipment, repair and lifecycle support for TDM, IP, UC, satellite, HF, UHF, and VHF communication systems, and full cybersecurity management as the Information System Security Manager (ISSM) for the ADI enterprise. Contractors must also support the CONR Forensic System for incident investigation, conduct Risk Management Framework (RMF) certification and accreditation for command and control systems across geographically dispersed units, and provide full lifecycle support for tactical communications platforms such as the Low Altitude Radio Kit. The NAICS code is 541512 with a size standard of $34 million, and small businesses must comply with FAR clause 52.219-14 on limitations on subcontracting. All personnel requiring unescorted access to DoD-controlled areas must hold at least a Secret security clearance based on an NACLC investigation. Responses to this sources sought notice required a brief capabilities statement of no more than 10 pages, submitted via email by February 16, 2026, and must include business information, CAGE code, and evidence of eligibility through approved prime contract vehicles such as GSA OASIS, ALLIANT II, VETS II, STARS III, or MAS. The contract will likely be structured as a Blanket Purchase Agreement under GSA MAS with fixed-price call orders.