### Company Overview & Leadership
ACG Systems, founded in 1995 [4], is a Maryland-based systems integrator and technical service provider specializing in mission-critical wireless communication systems for the defense, federal, and commercial industries [4]. The company focuses on complex, integrated communication solutions for essential functions, including air-to-ground, LMR, tactical, and command and control, leveraging proficiency across analog, digital, and IP communication solutions [4]. ACG’s primary industry sectors include commercial aerospace, aviation, government, defense, and infrastructure [4].
ACG provides technical services supporting ground radio (LMR), Air/ground radio, and command-and-control console (VCS) systems [11]. The firm maintains a 24/7 manned Help Desk focused on varying Service Level Agreements (SLA) [11], supported by technical staff averaging over 15 years of experience in communication technologies [11]. ACG service technicians are strategically located throughout North America [11].
On October 1, 2025, Northrim Horizon, an Arizona-based permanent capital investment firm, acquired ACG Systems [4]. This transaction represents Northrim’s third platform acquisition of Fund III, intended to serve as the foundation for additional organic growth and acquisitions within the wireless communication services industry [4]. Following the acquisition, Northrim appointed Thomas Montalbano as CEO to lead the platform’s expansion and support the existing management team [4].
The company’s leadership team includes: * Thomas Montalbano serves as CEO [4]. Mr. Montalbano previously served for nearly a decade as a Marine infantry officer and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School [4]. * Bob Dick and Tim Carney have co-led ACG since 2005 and remain in their current capacities [4].
### Federal Market & Contracts
ACG Systems established a robust US Federal communications product, service, and support organization by translating its success in the commercial marketplace [1]. The company maintains a flexible contracting approach, utilizing its own vehicles while also engaging in subcontracting relationships with major Prime contractors holding IDIQ or other contracts [2][3]. ACG holds standing subcontracts and/or prior experience with many of the largest Primes [1].
Key federal relationships include the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) [6], the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) [27], and the Air Force, which awarded ACG a $12,311,202 firm-fixed-price contract for the Ground to Air Transmit Receive (GATR) system in 2025 [16]. ACG also supports critical infrastructure maintenance for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) All-Hazards Weather Radio network in Alabama [33].
ACG holds multiple key contract vehicles, including: * **2GIT (Air Force IT contract):** Contract # 47QTCA21A000D [1]. This is the Air Force’s largest IT products contract and is available for use by all federal buyers [4][5]. * **DHS TacCom:** Contract # 70B04C19D00000025 [1]. This provides DHS with access to TacCom commodity products and support services, including infrastructure, operation, and maintenance [6][7]. * **GSA Information Technology Category:** Contract # 47QTCA20D006L [1]. This includes communications products from manufacturers like Motorola and General Dynamics, alongside ACG professional and support services [9]. * **Maryland Department of IT (DoIT):** Contract # 060B7400088 [1]. This is available for use by State customers, counties, and cities both in and out of Maryland [1]. * ACG holds eight active DHS/TACCOM2 BPA agreements specifically with the US Coast Guard for radios and related technologies [1][10]. * ACG holds Teaming Agreements with key SEWP contract holders, including Blue Tech Inc., Colossal Contracting LLC, and Tribalco LLC, enabling delivery of ACG products and services through the SEWP vehicle [1][13].
Notable program achievements include: * Securing a $12,311,202 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract (FA2330-25-C-B006) for the Egyptian Air Force’s Ground to Air Transmit Receive (GATR) system and test equipment, involving Foreign Military Sales (FMS) [16][19]. * Winning a portion of a Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic (SSC LANT) award for Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Network and Communications Equipment, structured as an ID/IQ, FFP multiple award contract with a Not-to-Exceed amount of $500 million [22][23]. * Being awarded a five-year IDIQ contract with a $25 million ceiling through full and open competition with an Air Force Major Command [30]. Under this IDIQ, ACG managed the logistics for approximately 3,500 mobile and portable radios and orchestrated the collection, upgrade, and return of about 10,000 subscribers to achieve P25 compliance and enhanced Over the Air Programming capability [31][32]. * Securing a contract with SAIC for the Air Force Instrument Landing Systems Modernization (ILS-M) project, requiring Native IP radio integration and the delivery of 82 systems at a $2 million value over five years [35][5].
### Certifications & Socioeconomic
ACG Systems implements rigorous quality control measures and maintains a focus on program execution excellence, evidenced by receiving the 2016 Harris Small Business Supplier of the Year Award for outstanding performance on the FAA Data Communications Program [4]. The ACG Engineering and Professional Service teams assist customers in designing, integrating, and planning complex communication solutions, including updates to network-based radio platforms and deployment of mission-critical systems [12].
The company’s quality management and compliance standards include: * **Quality Management:** The Project Management Office (PMO) staff includes PMP-certified program managers, deputy program managers, and project leads [11]. The team performs formal Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of all systems, including complex integrated console/radio solutions, before shipping for implementation [12]. * **Security & Compliance:** ACG ensures security compliance, such as ensuring the Christine Wireless Tactical Key Management Device (TKMD) meets FIPS 140-2 requirements [13]. Work for SPAWARSYSCENs required compliance with the Net-Centric Enterprise Solutions for Interoperability (NESI) to build information systems conforming to the Net-Centric Warfare (NCW) environment [8].
In terms of socioeconomic status, the US Small Business Administration (SBA) authorized a Mentor-Protégé Agreement between Simple Technology (Protégé) and ACG Systems (Mentor) [1]. The resulting Joint Venture, SimpleCom Solutions LLC, operates as an 8(a) HUBZone company, enabling it to pursue set-aside contract opportunities [1][1].
### Recent News & Recognition
ACG Systems underwent a major strategic shift on September 29, 2025, when Northrim Horizon acquired the company, establishing ACG as the foundation for expansion in the wireless communication services industry [7]. Following the acquisition, Thomas Montalbano was appointed CEO to lead the platform’s expansion [7].
The company has secured significant commercial and strategic milestones, including: * **Acquisition and Leadership:** Northrim Horizon appointed Thomas Montalbano as CEO to lead the platform’s expansion following the September 29, 2025, acquisition [7]. * **Joint Venture Success:** The Joint Venture SimpleCom Solutions LLC, an 8(a) HUBZone company, secured a 5-year IDIQ contract from the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) on November 27, 2017, with a $97 million ceiling for all awardees, covering worldwide procurement and delivery of communications equipment [6]. * **Industry Awards:** ACG received the DCIS 2016 Excellence Award from Harris Corporation on November 22, 2016, and the 2016 Small Business Supplier of the Year Award – Program Execution Excellence on June 22, 2017, both recognizing outstanding sub-contractor performance on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Data Communications Program and compliant installations supporting the FAA NextGen upgrade project nationwide [2][8]. * **Commercial Wins (2025):** ACG secured a contract renewal on March 27, 2025, to support the air/ground network for the world’s largest international courier company [4], and an award on January 7, 2025, from Southwest Airlines to install the Granite EPIK Router solution across more than 150 air/ground radio sites [12].