The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing TACTICS (Tactical Communications and Technical Investigative Comprehensive Solutions), a new multiple-award IDIQ for tactical communications and technical investigative surveillance equipment and services. The DHS Office of Procurement Operations, INFO TECH Acquisition Center anticipates an RFP this QTR with award in Q4 FY2026.
TACTICS gives DHS and other federal agencies access to a renewable catalog of commercial commodity equipment from multiple original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), plus related services. The scope spans two mission lines:
- Tactical Communications (TacCom)—radios and accessories, push-to-talk and cellular/user equipment, communications infrastructure, and maritime, airborne, and satellite systems
- Technical Investigative Surveillance (TechOps)—video, audio, sensor, and tracking devices for collecting and processing operational data—plus development, installation, maintenance, engineering, operations, training, and project management
On competition, TACTICS is structured as a Partial Small Business Set-Aside, with a portion of the multiple-award pool reserved for small businesses and the remainder open to all sizes. Because the primary NAICS is 334220 (wireless communications equipment manufacturing), the strongest positioning is for firms with OEM, authorized-reseller/VAR, or systems-integration credentials in tactical radio and surveillance hardware. With the RFP expected any day, the window to finalize teaming and OEM authorizations are now.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: TACTICS (Tactical Communications and Technical Investigative Comprehensive Solutions)
- Agency: DHS Office of Procurement Operations, INFO TECH Acquisition Center
- Estimated Value: $100M +
- Estimated RFP: Q3 2026
- Estimated Award: Q4 FY2026
- NAICS: 334220 – Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing; 541330 – Engineering Services
- Contract Type: Multiple-award IDIQ (MAC); FFP, IDIQ, and T&M order types
- Duration: 1-year base + four 1-year options (5 years)
- Competition: Partial Small Business Set-Aside; new multiple-award IDIQ
- Place of Performance: Washington, DC, with domestic and international deployment
- Lineage / POCs: Builds on DHS’s TacCom/TechOps III
WHY TACTICS MATTERS
TACTICS is the vehicle behind DHS’s tactical communications and surveillance mission, equipping law enforcement and operational components with the radios, infrastructure, and investigative tools they rely on in the field. As a renewable, multi-agency IDIQ available to DHS and other federal agencies, it consolidates recurring OEM equipment buys and lifecycle services into one long-horizon vehicle, placing a seat-holder at the center of DHS’s communications and TechOps refresh for the next five years.
For small businesses, the partial set-aside is the opening, but the hardware profile shapes who competes well. Because the core requirement is OEM commodity equipment from commercial and GSA catalogs, the best-positioned firms hold manufacturer authorizations and integration credentials, not just services past performance. With the RFP imminent, locking OEM authorizations and teaming now is what separates ready bidders from the rest. Competitive teams typically bring:
- OEM, authorized-reseller, or VAR status for tactical radio and surveillance equipment; systems integration and communications infrastructure; maritime, airborne, and satellite communications; TechOps video/audio/sensor and tracking systems; installation, operations, and maintenance depth; GSA catalog/commercial pricing management; and DHS/federal law-enforcement past performance
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER TACTICS
TACTICS is built for firms that supply, integrate, and support tactical communications and technical surveillance equipment for federal, ideally DHS or law-enforcement, customers. Firms with experience in the following should assess their fit now:
- Tactical radios, push-to-talk, and end-user/cellular communications equipment
- Communications infrastructure and interoperable network solutions
- Maritime, airborne, and satellite communications systems
- Technical investigative surveillance (TechOps)- video, audio, sensor, and tracking devices
- Mobile command vehicles and deployable communications platforms
- Installation, operations, maintenance, engineering, and training services
- Small businesses with OEM/reseller authorizations (individually or via teaming/JVs) pursuing the set-aside portion
HOW OST CAN HELP
With the RFP expected any day, TACTICS is in the final pre-solicitation window, and the time is now to lock OEM authorizations, teaming, and past performance. OST supports IT, communications, and equipment firms pursuing DHS and federal IDIQ opportunities with:
- Bid/No-Bid assessment: Evaluating fit against the TacCom and TechOps scope, NAICS size status, and set-aside eligibility
- Capture planning: Developing win themes and positioning for the partial set-aside before the RFP drops
- Teaming strategy: Identifying complementary partners and OEMs via OST’s partnering portal (200+ companies) to cover both TacCom and TechOps
- Past performance strategy: Documenting relevant DHS, law-enforcement, or commercial communications/surveillance experience
- Proposal development: Technical approach, catalog/pricing strategy, past performance narratives, and compliance for IDIQ submission
With a partial small business set-aside and an RFP expected imminently, TACTICS is a near-term, five-year opportunity for firms with the right communications and surveillance credentials. If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.
