Army Opens Bidding on $850M Cryptographic Key Loader Modernization Contract

The U.S. Army has launched a formal solicitation for a potential 10-year, $850M contract to procure as many as 265K cryptographic key loading devices for securing joint service network infrastructure.

Interested vendors can submit proposals for the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity Next Generation Load Device-Medium contract through Dec. 23, the service branch said Thursday.

Mike Badger, the Army’s NGLD-M product manager, said the branch will replace its simple key loader and other legacy fill devices with a National Security Agency-certified, Type 1 handheld technology.

The new encryption device is intended to protect classified networks at the strategic, enterprise and tactical levels against electronic warfare and cyber threats.

NGLDM will also work to help military network managers reconfigure cryptographic tools, manage the keying process and download software remotely, the Army added.

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