Melville company loses bid for defense communications contract

The U.S. Army has told Melville defense contractor Comtech Telecommunications Corp. that it has lost its bid to be manager and vendor of a new electronic warfare communications system, the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below, Blue Force Tracking 2 system.

Comtech Mobile Datacom Corp., a Maryland-based subsidiary, was advised that the contract was given to another company for a “total evaluated price” of $249.9 million — which was about half Comtech’s bid.

Fred Kornberg, president and chief executive of the parent company, said it will appeal the Army decision.

“Given our proven performance during a war-time environment, ... and our belief that Comtech offers a lower overall program risk to the U.S Army,” Kornberg said, “...we anticipate protesting the award given to the third party.”

The subsidiary, Comtech Mobile Datacom, specializes in “satellite-based packet data communication systems and location and messaging services through the use of advanced communication and network technology.”

Above left, a Marine uses the current system.

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