# DHS Awards $1.5B Counter-UAS IDIQ Contracts

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded multiple contracts in August 2026 totaling up to **$1.5 billion** over five years to 12 companies for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) capabilities. These indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts are divided into two tracks: hardware/software products and comprehensive services, enabling DHS components to procure tailored counter-drone technologies and services to detect, track, identify, and mitigate unauthorized or malicious unmanned aircraft threats. Fortem Technologies, a small business based in Lindon, Utah, secured a prime contractor position on a $1 billion+ track, with subcontractors including Lockheed Martin and Microsoft. This unified procurement approach supports DHS-wide operational flexibility and interoperability across various mission environments through July 2031.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should note the significant investment and multi-vendor approach DHS is employing to enhance counter-drone capabilities, reflecting growing demand for integrated C-UAS solutions.
- The contract structure offers multiple opportunities for hardware, software, and service providers to engage with DHS components across fixed and mobile operational use cases.
- Small businesses like Fortem Technologies have secured prime roles, indicating DHS’s commitment to diverse vendor participation alongside large defense contractors.
- Organizations should prepare for ongoing task orders under this IDIQ through 2031, aligning proposals and capabilities with DHS’s evolving C-UAS requirements and potential use of Other Transactions Authority (OTA) to accelerate acquisitions.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Public Safety
**Topics:** Cybersecurity, Contracting Vehicles, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** August 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- U.S. Secret Service
- Federal Protective Service
- U.S. Coast Guard

### Vendors
- Fortem Technologies (prime contractor)
- Lockheed Martin (subcontractor)
- Microsoft (subcontractor)
- D-Fend Solutions (awardee)
- BAE Systems (awardee)

### Key Quotes
> To date, there is no strategic plan that gives us a sense of prioritization. If the states are going to manage this, the states are going to need to know what the federal government is looking for.
> — Charles Werner, Director, DroneResponders

> Secret Service can say, 'I'm going to need 20 systems a year for the next five years.' It's not like it's a one-time buy; indefinite delivery really just means it's constant buying for those five years.
> — Jon Gruen, CEO, Fortem Technologies

> These awards mark an important step in strengthening DHS’s ability to respond to unauthorized and malicious unmanned aircraft systems.
> — Markwayne Mullin, Homeland Security Secretary

### Sources
- [Fortem Technologies selected as prime contractor for USD1 billion DHS counter-drone IDIQ contract - Unmanned airspace](https://www.unmannedairspace.info/counter-uas-systems-tenders/fortem-technologies-selected-as-prime-contractor-for-usd1-billion-dhs-counter-drone-idiq-contract) - Unmanned airspace
- [$ONDS aren’t favoured by the DHS it seems.

Fortem & DFend both winning a spot on this $1.5B IDIQ ahead of Iron Drone & Sentrycs.

Credit: @ive_m5 

https://t.co/vN5mBeFDn7](https://x.com/BMSInvests/status/2084671088307437998) - twitter-contract-vehicles
- [Fortem Technologies Lands DHS Prime Contractor Slot on $1 Billion + Counter-Drone Contract

https://t.co/teEkRNR51G

DHS named Fortem Technologies (Lindon, UT) the only small business among seven prime contractors on a five-year, $1B+ counter-drone IDIQ. CEO Jon Gruen discusses t](https://x.com/TechBuzzUtah/status/2085016224614801505) - twitter-contract-vehicles