# DCMA Accepts 300 Navy ASVs in Texas

The Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) South Red River office has inspected and accepted over 300 Navy Corsair autonomous surface vessels (ASVs) within the first year of production under a **$441 million** agreement with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). This rapid production surge was enabled by Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs), allowing a non-traditional defense contractor, Saronic Technologies, based in Austin, Texas, to quickly prototype and manufacture these vessels. The ASVs are actively supporting urgent operational needs, including missions in CENTCOM and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, notably Operation Epic Fury.

- **Why this matters:** The use of OTAs facilitated accelerated delivery timelines and expanded production capacity, demonstrating a viable procurement pathway for rapid fielding of emerging defense technologies.
- DCMA's expanded inspection and acceptance capabilities indicate readiness to support increased production volumes and sustainment.
- Contractors and procurement professionals should consider the growing role of non-traditional vendors and OTA mechanisms in defense acquisitions, especially for autonomous systems.
- The operational deployment of these ASVs in key theaters underscores increasing demand for unmanned surface vessels, signaling future procurement opportunities in autonomous maritime platforms.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 17, 2026

### Government Entities
- Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA)
- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)
- U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)
- U.S. Naval Forces Central Command
- U.S. 5th Fleet

### Vendors
- Saronic Technologies (Defense contractor, ASV production facility)

### Key Quotes
> While OTAs may not require the same level of oversight as FAR-based contracts when they are used for programs with solid prototypes, scalable manufacturing processes, and DCMA oversight, they can allow non-traditional defense contractors to rapidly deliver effective combat systems to the warfighter.
> — Army Lt. Col. David Volz, Commander, DCMA South Red River

> Today we’re looking at many times more ASVs than that first month, and we’re capable of expanding our inspection and acceptance schedules even further.
> — William Harris, Quality Assurance Supervisor, DCMA South Red River

### Sources
- [
	DCMA inspects, accepts 300 Navy ASVs in first year of production > Defense Contract Management Agency > DCMA News
](https://www.dcma.mil/News/Article/4577649/dcma-inspects-accepts-300-navy-asvs-in-first-year-of-production/) - DCMA