The General Services Administration has awarded a $568.7 million contract to Viasat to support the continued migration of the command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities from special forces to general purpose forces.
According to an award notice posted on SAM.gov, the communications company will identify, purchase and integrate emerging technologies in line with C5ISR requirements under the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract.
GSA Contract With Viasat
The IDIQ is a follow-on contract that has a five-year ordering period with a six-month option. It was awarded on a sole-source basis after the government determined that only the Carlsbad, Calfirnonia-headquartered company is the only vendor capable of providing the requirements. The award will also ensure that the Department of Defense-wide effort will not experience any disruptions caused by implementing new technologies that will be required to undergo intensive testing and certification.
GSA issued a request for information on companies that can deliver C5ISR capabilities in support of the migration in August.
Capability Requirements
One of the technologies that Viasat will deliver under the contract is its digital aided close air support gateway, which is designed to enhance air and ground situational awareness by creating a common operational picture for commanders. It also works to provide position location information, voice, chat and imagery to deployed divisions, brigades, battalions and companies.
The communication company will also supply tactical and mobile terminals to power fixed-wing, rotary wing and unmanned aerial systems and ground and maritime assets. Its KuKarray antenna enables switching to and from Ka and Ku band network and delivers speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The antenna is already installed on the Air Force 1, AC-130J Gunships and other military air platforms.
In December 2022, Viasat secured a $325 million contract to supply mission equipment and related services to the U.S. Special Operations Command in support of its C4 tactical communications systems.
