Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) Capability Characteristics
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- W56KGU-24-R-NGC2
- Agency
- ACC Aberdeen Proving Ground Army Contracting Command, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Points of contact
-
- Chris Fisher christopher.m.fisher24.civ@army.mil (520) 671-3750
- MAJ Quentin Sica quentin.sica.mil@army.mil
- Nick Martin nicolas.a.martin2.civ@army.mil
- Timothy J. Weiman timothy.j.weiman.civ@army.mil
- William Wimbury william.h.wimbury2.civ@army.mil
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Army's Department of Army Materiel Command, through the Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, issued Special Notice W56KGU-24-R-NGC2 regarding the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) Capability Characteristics. This Special Notice, posted on April 30, 2024, with an extended deadline of June 30, 2026, represents the Army's initiative to reimagine its enterprise data architecture and revolutionize its operational software framework. The notice is not a solicitation, request for proposals, or request for information, but rather an industry engagement announcement designed to increase awareness and facilitate collaboration on the NGC2 initiative. The Army is inviting industry vendors to participate in dialogue regarding the NGC2 Characteristics of Need and contribute to the development of a multi-vendor NGC2 ecosystem. As of the most recent update in January 2026, the announcement has been amended multiple times to reflect evolving requirements and insights from experimentation and technology research.
The NGC2 initiative addresses a portfolio of solutions spanning network and transport layers, infrastructure, data and analytics platforms, and hardware-agnostic, configurable user experiences for seamless application-based tools and services. Interested vendors must register as interested parties on SAM.gov to receive future updates and modifications to the announcement. A critical requirement for accessing the controlled Characteristics of Need documents is that companies must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP); those not pre-certified must complete a DD Form 2345 and submit it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. The Army has intentionally designed NGC2 as a collaborative, multi-layer technology stack addressing application, data, infrastructure, and transport layers, with requirements informed by the Network Modernization Experiment (NetMod-X) findings released in December 2024. Industry engagement is being facilitated through multiple channels, including a repository on the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM), with the Army Chief of Staff having approved the NGC2 Characteristics of Need as the base requirement in July 2025.
Notice text
7 versions
Update #7 · Latest ·
Purpose:
The purpose of this update provides information about a Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) file repository on the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM) where documents are regularly posted to ensure industry has current information about Army’s vision for a multi-vendor NGC2 ecosystem.
The Army is intentionally experimenting with new approaches to collaboratively design NGC2 with industry, and the JCM portal is one element of information sharing between government and industry.
BACKGROUND:
Ongoing conflicts reveal the criticality of detecting, synthesizing, and exploiting digital signatures on the modern battlefield. These lessons underscore the prevailing viewpoint that data enables decision overmatch. The modern commander must dominate algorithmic warfare.
To orchestrate data to the point of need, the NGC2 ecosystem provides commanders and units at echelon with seamless cloud to edge access for application and data services that can leverage any military or commercial transport. The multi-layer technology stack requires novel technical and business approaches to achieve Warfighting objectives.
In July 2025, the Army’s Chief of Staff approved the NGC2 Characteristics of Need (CoN) as the base requirement and four CoN annexes, one for each layer of the NGC2 tech stack (Applications, Data, Infrastructure, and Transport). These annexes intentionally have common content to denote their interdependence on one another (in particular, see annex section 2), so the only section that is unique to each is annex section 3 that describes layer-specific functionality. These requirement documents are concise and flexible, aligning to the Army’s intentional approach to support acquisition reform. Industry is encouraged to read these 5 documents to understand the evolution of Army requirements and key elements of NGC2 vision.
In December 2025, the emerging NGC2 architecture was posted on sam.gov with a request for industry feedback on three main areas: NGC2 vision for a composable architecture, the data layer design patterns across NGC2 prototypes, and readiness for deploying software in NGC2 technology stack. Industry is encouraged to read this document to understand how the Army is envisioning a multi-vendor approach for NGC2.
These documents are available on the NGC2 JCM site at https://jtnc.experience.crmforce.mil/JTNC/s/login/, go to “More Communities,” click “Army,” and then “Next Gen Command & Control (NGC2).” The Reading Room is accessed by a link on the NGC2 home page menu.
If you have not registered for JCM, please use the following link <https://jtnc.experience.crmforce.mil/JTNC/s/register>. If you have registered for JCM, but need access specifically to NGC2 Community page, you must register for access to this space. Please use the following link and register specifically for NGC2 Community Page https://jtnc.experience.crmforce.mil/JTNC/s/register . You will need a Joint Certification Program (JCP) number and Data Custodian to enter the NGC2 community and view CUI documents.
If you do not already have a JCP Certification number, please follow the direction below.
To gain access to CUI documents, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download. If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures is available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
Update #6 ·
The purpose of the update performed on 17 November 2025 extends the announcement to 30 March 2026 and changes the Points of Contact.
In support of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) effort, the Army is reimagining its enterprise data architecture and revolutionizing its operational software framework. This includes a portfolio of solutions addressing the network and transport layers; infrastructure, data, and analytics platforms; and hardware agnostic, configurable user experiences for seamless application-based tools and services. The attached provides the NGC2 Characteristics of Need, to increase industry awareness and collaboration.
The Characteristics of Need statement is a living document and will be updated as required based on technological observations and lessons learned through experimentation. The update herein is complementary to the prior released CoN in December 2024 and reflects insights from persistent experimentation and technology research. Updates from the December version are annotated in each paragraph and marked in bold italics.
To gain access to the controlled attachment, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download.
Please mark yourself as an interested vendor to ensure you receive any future updates to this announcement.
If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures are available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. No exceptions will be made to vendors who are not certified in the JCP for the release of the controlled document. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
To request access to download the controlled attachment, click on the tab for “Attachment/Links, then click on the title of the controlled document. The correct role is a Contracting Opportunities, Contracting and Data Entry role. When you receive the pop-up window to request access, enter the reason for the request in the window, making sure to include your entity’s CAGE Code and JCP Certification Number then hit submit. Once the notice is submitted, the access status on the controlled document will change to “Pending”. The Access POC will review your request, granting access if requirements are met or reject for correction.
Update #5 ·
The Amendment posted on 17 July 2025 updates the description below and provides an updated CUI attachment.
In support of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) effort, the Army is reimagining its enterprise data architecture and revolutionizing its operational software framework. This includes a portfolio of solutions addressing the network and transport layers; infrastructure, data, and analytics platforms; and hardware agnostic, configurable user experiences for seamless application-based tools and services. The attached provides the NGC2 Characteristics of Need, to increase industry awareness and collaboration.
The Characteristics of Need statement is a living document and will be updated as required based on technological observations and lessons learned through experimentation. The update herein is complementary to the prior released CoN in December 2024 and reflects insights from persistent experimentation and technology research. Updates from the December version are annotated in each paragraph and marked in bold italics.
To gain access to the controlled attachment, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download.
Please mark yourself as an interested vendor to ensure you receive any future updates to this announcement.
If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures are available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. No exceptions will be made to vendors who are not certified in the JCP for the release of the controlled document. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
To request access to download the controlled attachment, click on the tab for “Attachment/Links, then click on the title of the controlled document. The correct role is a Contracting Opportunities, Contracting and Data Entry role. When you receive the pop-up window to request access, enter the reason for the request in the window, making sure to include your entity’s CAGE Code and JCP Certification Number then hit submit. Once the notice is submitted, the access status on the controlled document will change to “Pending”. The Access POC will review your request, granting access if requirements are met or reject for correction.
Update #4 ·
In support of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) effort, the Army is reimagining its enterprise data architecture and revolutionizing its operational software framework. This includes a portfolio of solutions addressing the network and transport layers; infrastructure, data, and analytics platforms; and hardware agnostic, configurable user experiences for seamless application-based tools and services. The attached provides the NGC2 Characteristics of Need, to increase industry awareness and collaboration. In addition, a second attachment has been included describing the seven learning outcomes and actions taken from the 2024 NetMod-X event.
The Characteristics of Need statement is a living document and will be updated as required based on technological observations and lessons learned through experimentation. The update herein is complementary to the prior released CoN in May 2024 and reflects insights from persistent experimentation and technology research. Updates from the May version are annotated in each paragraph and marked in bold italics.
Please mark yourself as an interested vendor to ensure you receive any future updates to this announcement.
To gain access to the controlled attachment, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download.
If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures are available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. No exceptions will be made to vendors who are not certified in the JCP for the release of the controlled document. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
To request access to download the controlled attachment, click on the tab for “Attachment/Links, then click on the title of the controlled document. Please ensure that you have the correct role when requesting access to the controlled document. The correct role is a data entry role or contracting role. When you receive the pop-up window to request access, enter the reason for the request in the window, making sure to include your entity’s CAGE Code and JCP Certification Number then hit submit. Once the notice is submitted, the access status on the controlled document will change to “Pending”. The Access POC will review your request, granting access if requirements are met or reject for correction.
Update #3 ·
In support of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) effort, the Army is reimagining its enterprise data architecture and revolutionizing its operational software framework. This includes a portfolio of solutions addressing the network and transport layers; infrastructure, data, and analytics platforms; and hardware agnostic, configurable user experiences for seamless application-based tools and services. The attached provides the NGC2 Characteristics of Need, to increase industry awareness and collaboration.
The Characteristics of Need statement is a living document and will be updated as required based on technological observations and lessons learned through experimentation. The update herein is complementary to the prior released CoN in May 2024 and reflects insights from persistent experimentation and technology research. Updates from the May version are annotated in each paragraph and marked in bold italics.
Please mark yourself as an interested vendor to ensure you receive any future updates to this announcement.
To gain access to the controlled attachment, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download.
If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures are available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. No exceptions will be made to vendors who are not certified in the JCP for the release of the controlled document. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
To request access to download the controlled attachment, click on the tab for “Attachment/Links, then click on the title of the controlled document. Please ensure that you have the correct role when requesting access to the controlled document. The correct role is a data entry role or contracting role. When you receive the pop-up window to request access, enter the reason for the request in the window, making sure to include your entity’s CAGE Code and JCP Certification Number then hit submit. Once the notice is submitted, the access status on the controlled document will change to “Pending”. The Access POC will review your request, granting access if requirements are met or reject for correction.
Update #2 ·
This is an update to the special announcement for SAM W56KGU-24-R-NGC2. This update changes the description of the posting, extends the deadline of this announcement, and changes the CUI controlled document. This is not a call for White Papers, a Request for Information, a Request for Proposals or Solicitation. Please mark yourself as an interested vendor to ensure you receive any future updates to this announcement.
In support of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) effort, the Army is reimagining its enterprise data architecture and revolutionizing its operational software framework. This includes a portfolio of solutions addressing the network and transport layers; infrastructure, data, and analytics platforms; and hardware agnostic, configurable user experiences for seamless application-based tools and services. The attached provides the NGC2 Characteristics of Need, to increase industry awareness and collaboration. The Army invites industry to contribute to the overarching NGC2 dialogue. Future calls for white paper will be posted to SAM.gov and released off the C5ISR Center Engineering and Systems Integration (ESI) Directorate Broad Agency Announcement, W56KGU-22-R-OESI. Industry white papers are not requested at this time and no award(s) will be made as a result of this posting. Questions may be directed to the Engineering and Systems Integration (ESI) Directorate’s Industry engagement mailbox: Email: usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil
To gain access to the controlled attachment, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download.
If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures are available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. No exceptions will be made to vendors who are not certified in the JCP for the release of the controlled document. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
To request access to download the controlled attachment, click on the tab for “Attachment/Links, then click on the title of the controlled document. Please ensure that you have the correct role when requesting access to the controlled document. The correct role is a data entry role or contracting role. When you receive the pop-up window to request access, enter the reason for the request in the window, making sure to include your entity’s CAGE Code and JCP Certification Number then hit submit. Once the notice is submitted, the access status on the controlled document will change to “Pending”. The Access POC will review your request, granting access if requirements are met or reject for correction.
Update #1 ·
The Army is reimagining its enterprise data architecture and revolutionizing its operational software framework. This includes a portfolio of solutions addressing the network and transport layers; infrastructure, data, and analytics platforms; and hardware agnostic, configurable user experiences for seamless application-based tools and services. The attached provides a working copy of the Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) Characteristics of Need, to increase industry awareness and collaboration. The Army invites industry to contribute to the overarching NGC2 dialogue. Any interest in engaging in dialogue about these Characteristics of Need should be directed to the below individual.
Mr. Clifford Stevens
Chief, Acquisition/Contracting
C5ISR Center, ESI Directorate
Email: usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil
The Army requests that Industry mark themselves as interested vendors to ensure that any modification to this special announcement is received via notification through a SAM.gov email.
To gain access to the controlled attachment, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP). Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download.
If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil. Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures are available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the ACC will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. No exceptions will be made to vendors who are not certified in the JCP for the release of the controlled document. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.
To request access to download the controlled attachment, click on the tab for “Attachment/Links, then click on the title of the controlled document. When you receive the pop-up window to request access, enter the reason for the request in the window, making sure to include your entity’s CAGE Code and JCP Certification Number then hit submit. Once the notice is submitted, the access status on the controlled document will change to “Pending”. The Access POC will review your request, granting access if requirements are met or reject for correction.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| DRAS-24-1933-1-NGC2_NMX_Findings_Report_15 DEC (FINAL)_UNCLASS.docx | DOCX document |
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