Applied Optical Systems Inc.

Applied Optical Systems Inc., doing business as Optical Cable Corporation, manufactures fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies, reels, and related telecommunications hardware for the Department of Defense as a prime contractor (83% of recent awards) and as a subcontractor to major defense primes. The company is a for-profit subsidiary of Optical Cable Corp, headquartered in Plano, Texas, and competes full-and-open across its prime footprint with no set-aside certifications, though it has received two Total Small Business set-aside awards in the recent portfolio.

Applied Optical Systems' customer base concentrates heavily on Army and DLA logistics procurement. The Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime leads by award count at 197 awards ($6.4 million combined potential value), while the Department of the Army Materiel Command Communications Electronics Command dominates by dollar value with 72 awards worth $11.5 million combined potential value—reflecting larger delivery contracts for fiber optic cable assemblies supporting Army communications infrastructure. Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Construction and Equipment accounts for 70 awards ($441 thousand), focused on cable reels and connectors. These three customers account for 90% of recent awards. Applied Optical Systems holds six single-award indefinite delivery contracts with DLA Land and Maritime, each valued between $250,000 and $350,000, which serve as streamlined procurement vehicles for standardized fiber optic components. The most recent IDC (awarded February 26, 2026) carries a $350,000 ceiling through February 2027; four additional DLAs range from $250,000 to $250,000 through dates spanning February 2023 to February 2026.

Representative prime work includes a $102.6 million delivery order from Army Communications Electronics Command in May 2023 for fiber optic cable assemblies (NSN 6020-01-490-7024), a $97.9 million purchase order from DLA Land and Maritime in January 2024 for fiber optic connectors (PSC 5985-00-890-7829), a $61.5 million delivery order from DLA Land and Maritime in March 2025 for fiber optic connectors and plugs under an IDC, and a $167.5 million small-business purchase order from Army Communications Electronics Command in August 2022 for cable assemblies on spools. Work is performed in Plano, Texas, with all prime awards issued on firm fixed-price terms.

Recent activity shows growth in 2025 (75 awards) after a decline in 2024 (26 awards), with 5 awards recorded in 2026 year-to-date. The company's subcontractor footprint is dominated by Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation on the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) program, where Applied Optical Systems supplies fiber optic cable manufacturing and related electronic component hardware for low-rate initial production, full-rate production, and sustainment work. Applied Optical Systems also subcontracts to Leidos on the Multi-Domain Radar in a Contested Environment (MUDRACE) program for tactical fiber optic cable assemblies, to L3Harris Global Communications and L3Harris Technologies on systems engineering and cable assembly work, and to General Dynamics Mission Systems on the Global Aircrew Strategic Network Terminal program. Smaller sub engagements include work for Lockheed Martin, Atlantic Diving Supply, and Mantech.

Applied Optical Systems' PSC footprint centers on fiber optic interconnectors (118 awards), fiber optic cable assemblies and harnesses (69 awards), and reels and spools (65 awards), with secondary exposure to fiber optic cables and communication cable, cord, and wire assemblies. The company's NAICS mix reflects this product focus: fiber optic cable manufacturing (89 awards), guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing (53 awards reflecting subcontract work on IBCS and similar programs), and electronic connector manufacturing (40 awards). The parent company, Optical Cable Corp, is a established fiber optic cabling manufacturer, and Applied Optical Systems operates as its primary federal procurement vehicle for DLA and Army logistics orders.

We supply fiber optic & mixed copper / fiber optic cable assemblies, connectors & accessories for heavy industry, harsh environment & military applications with excellent design & customization capability for special purpose products & solutions.