Microwave Photonic Systems Inc.

Microwave Photonic Systems Inc. Systems Engineering Division, doing business as M P S, manufactures radio frequency over fiber components, fiber optic systems, and related microwave and photonic equipment for the federal government as a prime contractor (64% of recent awards) and as a subcontractor to major defense primes, competing on a full-and-open basis with no set-aside designations. The West Chester, Pennsylvania-based Subchapter S Corporation has held federal contract authority since 2001 and operates across Navy, Army, and Air Force customers with particular depth in fiber optic delay lines, RF-over-fiber transceivers, receivers, transmitters, and specialized communications equipment.

M P S's customer concentration sits heavily with the Department of the Navy. The top five customer organizations by award count (66% coverage) are led by the Department of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Office of Naval Research (47 awards, $241 thousand combined potential value), the Department of the Army Materiel Command Communications Electronics Command (19 awards, $1.1 million), the Department of the Navy Naval Sea Systems Command (14 awards, $544 thousand), the Department of the Navy Naval Supply Systems Command (10 awards, $202 thousand), and the Department of the Air Force Air Education and Training Command (8 awards, $530 thousand). The dollar rankings diverge sharply — the Air Force Test Center anchors the portfolio with just three awards but $3.5 million in combined potential value, driven by a $3.384 million definitive contract awarded October 10, 2024, for acquisition of a first article fiber optic delay line with an option to purchase twelve additional production units (completion December 30, 2027). Navy customer awards cluster at lower per-order dollar values, reflecting frequent small purchase orders for spares and specialized components rather than large production contracts.

M P S places task orders under the One Acquisition Solution for Integrated Services Small Business vehicle (17 task orders) and the Information Analysis Center Multiple-Award Contract (3 task orders). Recent representative prime work includes a $3.384 million Air Force Test Center definitive contract for fiber optic delay lines (October 2024), a $143,880 Air Education and Training Command purchase order for fiber optic spares (August 2025), and a $84,350 Air Force Test Center sole-source purchase order for a multi-channel RF over fiber system (June 2022, Total Small Business set-aside). Other recent prime awards span satellite communications equipment installation for the State Department ($46,777, April 2024), Iridium satellite telephone system maintenance for the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination ($12,073, September 2026), and fiber optic receiver supply to AETC ($265,480, September 2023).

The subcontract footprint reflects deep ties to Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Assurance Technology Corp, and ManTech. M P S delivers RF fiber optic transceivers, receivers, and transmitters to Lockheed Martin on the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Geosynchronous program (multiple sub awards through 2025), S-band and X-band RF fiber optic components to Raytheon for ANTPY-2 radar production units (September 2025 and April 2025 sub awards), RF and advanced optics for naval ship communications integration to Assurance Technology Corp under the TERFS program (multiple sub awards September 2022 onward), and radar and electronic warfare transceiver equipment to ManTech TSG-2 Joint Venture for Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (March 2024, July 2024, October 2024).

Award activity has been variable — nineteen awards in 2022, contracting to six in 2023, recovering to twelve in 2024, and nine in 2025, with one award recorded in 2026. Two awards (combined potential value $3.4 million) face ultimate completion within the next twenty-four months, creating modest recompete exposure. The portfolio is anchored in fiber optic device procurement (23 awards) and cable, cord, and wire assemblies for communication equipment (11 awards), with secondary depth in miscellaneous fiber optic components (8 awards) and miscellaneous communication equipment (7 awards). Combined obligated dollars ($10.7 million) exceed combined potential value ($7.3 million), indicating earlier-year invoicing against contracts that have since closed or been modified downward.

MPS is an engineering firm that specializes in the design, development and manufacture of RF Fiber optic components, modules, and subsystems. MPS fulfills multiple roles providing these hardware items including OEM supplier, design, and manufacturer.