Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) Capability Characteristics

Purpose: The purpose of this update provides information about a Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) file repository on the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM) where documents are regularly posted to ensure industry has current information about Army’s vision for a multi-vendor NGC2 ecosystem. The Army is intentionally experimenting with new approaches to collaboratively design NGC2 with industry, and the JCM portal is one element of information sharing between government and industry.

BACKGROUND: Ongoing conflicts reveal the criticality of detecting, synthesizing, and exploiting digital signatures on the modern battlefield. These lessons underscore the prevailing viewpoint that data enables decision overmatch. The modern commander must dominate algorithmic warfare. To orchestrate data to the point of need, the NGC2 ecosystem provides commanders and units at echelon with seamless cloud to edge access for application and data services that can leverage any military or commercial transport.

The multi-layer technology stack requires novel technical and business approaches to achieve Warfighting objectives. In July 2025, the Army’s Chief of Staff approved the NGC2 Characteristics of Need (CoN) as the base requirement and four CoN annexes, one for each layer of the NGC2 tech stack (Applications, Data, Infrastructure, and Transport).

These annexes intentionally have common content to denote their interdependence on one another (in particular, see annex section 2), so the only section that is unique to each is annex section 3 that describes layer-specific functionality. These requirement documents are concise and flexible, aligning to the Army’s intentional approach to support acquisition reform. Industry is encouraged to read these 5 documents to understand the evolution of Army requirements and key elements of NGC2 vision.

In December 2025, the emerging NGC2 architecture was posted on sam.gov with a request for industry feedback on three main areas: NGC2 vision for a composable architecture, the data layer design patterns across NGC2 prototypes, and readiness for deploying software in NGC2 technology stack. Industry is encouraged to read this document to understand how the Army is envisioning a multi-vendor approach for NGC2.

These documents are available on the NGC2 JCM site at https://jtnc.experience.crmforce.mil/JTNC/s/login/, go to “More Communities,” click “Army,” and then “Next Gen Command & Control (NGC2).” The Reading Room is accessed by a link on the NGC2 home page menu. If you have not registered for JCM, please use the following link <https://jtnc.experience.crmforce.mil/JTNC/s/register>. If you have registered for JCM, but need access specifically to NGC2 Community page, you must register for access to this space.

Please use the following link and register specifically for NGC2 Community Page https://jtnc.experience.crmforce.mil/JTNC/s/register . You will need a Joint Certification Program (JCP) number and Data Custodian to enter the NGC2 community and view CUI documents. If you do not already have a JCP Certification number, please follow the direction below. To gain access to CUI documents, your company/entity must be certified by the Joint Certification Program (JCP).

Your entity/company’s Data Custodian requester (designated) on block 3A of the DD Form 2345 is the only authorized individual that can download the controlled attachment. Your entity/company is responsible for the protection of the controlled document after the download. If your entity/company is not pre-certified by the JCP, you will need to apply for certification by completing a DD Form 2345 and emailing it to jcp-admin@dla.mil.

Detailed information regarding the JCP application procedures is available at the JCP website at https://www.dla.mil/Logistics-Operations/Services/JCP/. The ESI Directorate and the Army Contracting Command (ACC) will not review the JCP application or issue the JCP certification. Please direct any questions regarding the JCP certification process to jcp-admin@dla.mil.