Army awards BAE $318M contract for M-code GPS cards

The Army has awarded a $318 million firm, fixed-price sole-source contract to BAE Systems for military-code GPS cards that are embedded in position, navigation and timing (PNT) systems, the service announced today.

The procurement method for the M-code cards differs from past contracts because it is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity award that came through the Defense Information Systems Agency. That process gives the Army program manager a “direct link to the vendor” which reduces administrative time and increases “efficient technical support and integration,” according to the Army.

Previously, the program manager for PNT procured M-code cards through external contracts, which involved “significant passthrough costs and reduced buying power.”

The Sept. 28 contract creates a “direct supply source” for Mounted and Dismounted Assured PNT systems (MAPS and DAPS) and other Defense Department programs that leverage those capabilities, according to the Army. PNT Project Manager Michael Trzeciak said in a statement that BAE’s M-code cards are the only tested ones that are compatible with MAPS and DAPS.

“The contract facilitates procurement of multiple variants of the M-code card -- meeting end system compatibility requirements for Mounted and Dismounted APNT solutions now and into the future,” he said.