Unmanned Common Controller (UCC) for the United States Marine Corps
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), PMA-263, is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice to identify industry capabilities for an Unmanned Common Controller (UCC) for the United States Marine Corps. The UCC is envisioned as a portable, modular, open-architecture control system capable of operating multiple types of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Responses are due by March 24, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
The Marine Corps seeks a UCC solution to consolidate disparate ground control stations into a common device supporting cross-platform interoperability, multi-aircraft control (one-to-many, swarm coordination), mission planning, payload control, data dissemination, and integration with higher-echelon C2 networks and ATAK-based applications. Key interests include:
- Controlling multiple UAS from different manufacturers with dissimilar architectures.
- MOSA-compliant systems leveraging open standards (e.g., STANAG 4586, MAVLink).
- Secure, cyber-resilient, portable, and ruggedized systems for dismounted Marines.
- Modular designs allowing field maintenance without OEM involvement.
- Scalable architectures supporting AI/ML-enabled autonomy and future UAS.
- Compliance with FY20 NDAA Section 848, FY23 NDAA Section 817, American Security Drone Act of 2023, and TAA requirements.
Key Information Sought
Industry is requested to provide information on general system specifications (form factors, dimensions, power), interoperability (UAS platforms integrated, standards supported, multi-UAS control), MOSA implementation (APIs, SDKs, ATAK support), user interface, communications (datalink standards, modularity), cybersecurity (DoD RMF/ATO compliance, resilience), AI/ML integration, maintainability, certifications (JF-12, DIU Blue List, ATO), production capacity, estimated unit costs, and overall UCC solution architecture and maturity.
Submission Details
Interested parties should submit a capability white paper not exceeding ten (10) pages via email to Mariah Williams (mariah.b.williams.civ@us.navy.mil) and Kristen Ferro (kristen.w.ferro.civ@us.navy.mil). The subject line must be [CONTRACTOR NAME] Sources Sought Response for sUAS (Notice 243-26-012, PMA-263). The white paper should address the questions outlined in Section 3 of the notice. Appendices for supporting data are permitted and do not count towards the page limit. All submissions must be UNCLASSIFIED and marked "For Official Use Only, Releasable to Government Agencies for Evaluation Purposes Only."
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: March 24, 2026, 03:59 AM UTC
- Published: February 20, 2026, 08:30 PM UTC
Additional Notes
This is for informational purposes only and is not a Request for Proposal. The government is not obligated to pay for information received. Responses will inform future acquisition strategies, and select vendors may be invited for a follow-on demonstration. A Q&A tracker was uploaded on February 20, 2026, clarifying that the questions in Section 3 are intended to frame the information sought within the capability white paper.