Call for Solutions for M-BALCS 20260909.pdf

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Call for Solutions for Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage Systems (M-BALCS) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) Only
Solicitation number
W911QY-26-R-MBALCS
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This is a Call for Solutions for Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage Systems (M-BALCS) issued by Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Natick Division under solicitation number W9128Z-25-S-A002. The solicitation is exclusively set aside for small businesses that are original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of the proposed solution, with submissions due by September 25, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT. Questions regarding the solicitation must be submitted by September 15, 2026 at 8:00 PM EDT.

The requirement encompasses a modular tactical protection and load-bearing system supporting special operations missions, consisting of two body armor vest (BAV) variants (Maritime Interdiction and Littoral-Land), three mission-specific harnesses (Automatic Weapon, SEAL, and SWCC), and a full suite of interoperable Load Carriage System (LCS) pouches and accessories. Companies may submit solutions for individual components or the complete system; however, all submissions must include and integrate an LCS component. Required technical attributes include emergency quick-release capability (≤10 seconds tactical, ≤5 seconds objective), secure retention of SPEAR Swimmer Cut and LOTSAP armor plates, single-operator donning within 30 seconds, integration with legacy SPEAR LCS accessories, MultiCam/OCP compliance with VIS/NIR spectral requirements, and an 18-month operational service life. Key attributes encompass drag handle capacity of 300+ pounds, internal cable routing, prone removal without cutting tools, compatibility with multiple mobility platforms, buoyancy integration (30-40 lbs. for Maritime Interdiction, 60-75 lbs. for Littoral-Land, 70-80 lbs. for Automatic Weapon harness), water drainage capability, thermal and chemical resistance (-50°F to 130°F operational, -50°F to 160°F storage), and lightweight durable materials.

The solicitation employs a three-phase iterative prototyping approach. Phase 1 consists of white paper review (Go/No-Go screening) with selection notifications within one week; Phase 2 involves demonstration days anticipated for October 27-29, 2026, where companies must present physical prototypes; Phase 3 requires submission of enhanced prototypes based on Phase 2 feedback, due approximately January 5, 2027. Successful Phase 3 companies will be invited to submit a Request for Solution Proposal (RSP) for potential prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). The Government anticipates awarding multiple OTAs and reserves the right to transition successful prototypes into production contracts without further competition. White papers are limited to 20 pages (excluding title page) and must include executive summary, overview diagrams, subcontractor identification, country of affiliation, foreign content disclosure, proprietary information statements, pricing estimates, and demonstration plans. Offerors must possess a Unique Entity ID, maintain SAM registration, accurately represent small business status, and submit OCI analysis with mitigation plans if conflicts exist.

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Call for Solutions for

Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage Systems (M-BALCS) Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) Only

9 September 2026

Project Number Call for Solution – PMPI 26-01

Open Solicitation Number W9128Z-25-S-A002

Call for Solution Title Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage Systems

(M-BALCS)

Issued By Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) Natick Division

Submission Instruction To respond to this Call for Solution, please refer to Sections 6 of this Call for Solution

Solution Briefs Due Date/Time (Suspense)

September 25, 2026 / 8:00 pm EDT

Questions Due Date/Time September 15, 2026 / 8:00 pm EDT

Point of Contact (POC) for Solution Brief Submission

Contracting/Agreements Officer: Danny Soto Contract/Agreement Specialist: Lydia Wang Project Officer: Rick Pangelinan danny.soto3.civ@army.mil lydia.z.wang.civ@army.mil Ricardo.c.pangelinan.civ@army.mil

NOTE: Please advise the cognizant Contracting/Agreements Officer and Specialist as soon as possible via the emails above if your organization intends to submit a White Paper in response to this Call for Solution.

Any submissions that are received by the Contracting/Agreements Officer after the suspense date/time listed above will be deemed late and not evaluated. It is the sole responsibility of the company to ensure that its submission is received in the email inboxes listed above before the deadline specified.

This Call for Solution is issued under the authority of Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 212.70 – Defense Commercial Solutions Opening and may result in the Government awarding Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contracts or non-FAR agreements. Other Transactions (OT) that may be awarded from this Call for Solution are not subject to the FAR or its supplements, as applicable.

1. BACKGROUND:

Program Manager – Protection and Integration (PM-PI) is seeking new innovative solutions for the Maritime Body Armor Load Carriage System (M-BALCS). The requirement is for a modular tactical protection and load-bearing system that supports special operations across a full range of missions.

The system will include:

• two Body Armor Vest (BAV) variants: Maritime Interdiction (MI) and Littoral-Land

(LL).

• three mission-specific harnesses: Automatic Weapon Harness, SEAL Harness, and SWCC Harness.

• a full suite of interoperable Load Carriage System (LCS) pouches and accessories.

Together, these components are intended to improve operator survivability, mobility, and overall mission effectiveness. The SEAL harness and SWCC harness may, but does not have to be, the same harness.

• The Maritime Interdiction (MI) Body Armor Vest (BAV) variant shall feature a low-profile, minimalistic, and ruggedized design optimized for streamlined mobility and tailored accessory load carriage. All construction materials shall inherently repel or resist water absorption, facilitate rapid passive drainage of residual moisture, and seamlessly integrate modular closed cell/passive flotation and emergency inflatable life preservers without reducing available pouch surface area.

• The Littoral-Land (LL) Body Armor Vest (BAV) variant shall be structurally reinforced and ruggedized to support configurations ranging from light to heavy full combat loads in harsh environments. The system shall integrate modular closed cell/passive flotation and emergency inflatable life preservers to support littoral to land operations, without compromising load carriage area or durability.

• The SEAL Tactical Harness is a ruggedized, modular chest harness with a center-split design for quick parting down the middle for prone comfort, cooling, or medical access. Built to be fully compatible with fielded LOTSAP plate carriers, it features chest mounting space, attachment for an Assault Back Panel LCS accessory, and shoulder straps designed for 2K structural inserts to support heavy packs. Made from fast-draining, hydrophobic materials, it includes the Objective capabilities to scale with modular front/rear plate bags, integrate closed-cell passive flotation, and add an adaptable MOLLE chest mount panel.

• The SWCC Tactical Harness is a low-profile load-bearing chassis built for high-speed combatant craft and crew-served weapons operations. Engineered to be fully compatible with LOTSAP plate carriers and craft shock-mitigating seats, it provides an adaptable chest MOLLE panel for equipment and attachment for an Assault Back Panel LCS accessory. Made from fast-draining materials, it includes the Objective capabilities to scale with modular front/back plate bags, integrate closed-cell passive flotation tailored to buoyancy trim, and add a center-split design for quick parting down the middle.

• The Automatic Weapon Harness is a ruggedized load-bearing chassis built to support SOF gunners carrying heavy cyclic ammunition loads. Engineered to be fully compatible with fielded LOTSAP plate carriers, it features cushioned shoulder straps 2 inches thick or wider to maximize load comfort, attachment for an Assault Back Panel LCS accessory, and a durable metal quick-release buckle located at the navel for rapid egress. Made from fast-draining materials, it includes the Objective capabilities to scale with modular front and back plate bags and integrate closed-cell passive flotation.

• The Load Carriage System (LCS) is a modular suite of tactical pouches, panels and accessories built to integrate seamlessly across BAV variants and specialized harnesses. Engineered for intuitive setup, secure retention, and duty-tailored ammunition carriage, it minimizes bulk while allowing rapid, single-handed equipment access [source: 4]. Made from lightweight, fast-draining, Berry- and NIR-compliant materials, the LCS is fully backward-compatible with legacy SPEAR items and includes an individual reinforced carrying case for storage and transport.

Companies are not required to address the entire system. Companies may submit a white paper for either BAV variant and/or harnesses with accompanying LCS accessories.

Load Carrying System Requirement:

Every submission—whether for the full suite or an individual vest/harness—must include and integrate the Load Carrying System. The Load Carrying System will not be evaluated on a standalone basis; it must be submitted in direct conjunction with the proposed vest(s) or harness(es).

2. PROBLEM STATEMENT:

The Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Maritime Force is uniquely tasked and operates in some of the most challenging and diverse environments, from open ocean to coastal regions, as well as inland. Given the unique demands of these environments, it is essential that the NSW Maritime Force has access to specialized body-worn equipment that can provide protection, mobility, and functionality in these settings. For example, equipment designed for maritime operations needs to be hydrophobic, buoyant compatible, and resistant to corrosion, while equipment for land/littoral operations may need to be able to carry heavy loads, durable, and adaptable to different terrains. This call for solutions will allow for more specialized body-worn equipment by which the NSWC Maritime Force can ensure operators have the tools they need to effectively carry out missions in a wide range of environments, while also enhancing their safety and operational capabilities.

3. DESIRED SOLUTION ATTRIBUTES:

A functional prototype suite/individual item must include the following unique or innovative capabilities, functions, and/or features:

3a. Required Technical Attributes:

1) BAVs shall provide an integrated emergency quick-release ability that enables rapid, complete separation of the armor carrier from the operator's torso through single or multiple intuitive actions across all combat environments under both minimally loaded and maximally loaded operational configurations and shall possess the ability to be easily reconfigured in the field without the use of tools. ≤ 10 seconds (T), ≤ 5 seconds (O)

2) BAVs shall securely house, orient, and retain appropriately sized SPEAR Swimmer Cut Body Armor Plates (Generation V) and Less than Overt Stand-Alone Plates (LOTSAP) across all operator sizes and provide the ability to optionally integrate and securely mount SPEAR Modular Supplemental Armor Protection (MSAP) without shifting, degradation of plate pocket closures, or interference with dynamic operator movement.

3) BAVs shall provide the ability to be quickly and easily donned and secured, as well as routinely doffed, by a single operator, under both minimally loaded and maximally loaded configurations. ≤ 30 seconds (T=O)

4) BAVs and Harness shall provide the ability to easily, securely, and completely integrate with current and legacy SPEAR LCS accessories without shifting or degrading load stability.

5) BAVs, harness, and LCS accessories shall be fabricated in authorized MultiCam® / Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) textile patterns and satisfy stringent Visual and Near-Infrared (VIS/NIR) spectral reflectance requirements to prevent optical, image-intensified, and sensor-based detection across diverse combat environments.

All associated trims—including webbing, binding tape, hook-and-loop fasteners, zippers, elastic, thread, and structural/closure hardware—shall visually and spectrally (NIR) match the approved TEPP baseline colorways (e.g., Coyote 498, Tan 499, or OCP-compliant solid shades)

3b. Key Attributes.

1) BAVs shall provide the ability to securely mount current NSW-issued inflatables without blocking bladder inflation, restricting critical gear, or delaying emergency release.

LPU Mustang RATIS MD-1500

PFD

Mustang Tactical Inflatable Side Pouch MD- 1250s

2) BAVs shoulder straps and cummerbunds must attach to the front plate carrier section using high-strength, durable, and corrosion-resistant fasteners that provide the ability to withstand heavy operational combat loads and dynamic stress without deformation, accidental detachment, or mechanical binding in severe marine and terrestrial environments.

3) BAVs must feature a reinforced, low-profile drag handle centered on the upper back section that provides the ability to drag, hoist, or suspend an incapacitated operator and combat load totaling not less than 300 lbs. during dynamic motion via the handle and integrated shoulder strap system without seam failure, material tearing, or structural deformation.

4) BAVs must provide the ability to internally route and streamline NSW communications, power, and data cables while allowing instant, snag-free decoupling during emergency vest release.

5) BAVs must provide the ability for a single responder to quickly and completely remove the vest from an incapacitated operator in a prone, face-down position without the use of cutting tools.

6) BAVs, in minimal to full combat load configurations, must provide the ability for the operator to rapidly enter, ride, and exit SOF and service-common mobility platforms (HMMWV, FMTV, JLTV, ATV/UTV, Combatant Craft/Boats) and traverse tight hatches and doorways without physical binding, snag hazards, or excessive musculoskeletal fatigue during sustained seated transit.

7) BAVs must provide adequate usable attachment surface area to carry mission-essential equipment and ammunition tailored to operator duty positions, and must provide the ability to fully interoperate without mechanical binding, pressure hotspots, or functional interference with existing load-bearing equipment (backpacks, battle belts), MOPP4/CBRN protective ensembles, airborne delivery harnesses (MFF, Static Line), fast-rope rigs, and combat swimming gear across both minimal and maximum load configurations.

8) The BAV–MI variant must provide dedicated locations and the ability to integrate modular buoyancy-increasing materials and devices without reducing available LCS pouch attachment area or interfering with emergency release, weapon presentation, or operational mobility.

9) BAV-LL variant must provide the ability to withstand extended heavy combat loads and abrasive environments using reinforced structural unions and highly abrasion-resistant materials.

10) BAVs and harness must provide the ability to easily adjust for operator fit under minimal and maximum combat loads, including the ability to make fine cummerbund adjustments while wearing the entire ensemble without removing the system.

11) BAVs and harness fully loaded must provide the ability to rapidly mount, seat, and maintain all weapons in a stable firing position and transition between firing postures without snagging or restricting shoulder movement.

12) BAVs and harness must provide the ability to evenly distribute load weight across the torso and shoulders using optimized strap widths and padding to prevent digging-in, friction points, and muscular fatigue.

13) BAVs and harness must provide the ability to integrate a low-profile, modular closed-cell passive flotation buoyancy system tailored to variant operational load capacities and should possess the ability to be easily removed by the operator without the use of tools.

Maritime Interdiction 30 lbs. (T) 40 lbs. (O)

Littoral/Land 60 lbs. (T) 75 lbs. (O)

AW Harness 70 lbs. (T) 80 lbs. (O)

14) BAVs and Harness should be engineered to provide balanced weight distribution across the operator's torso and provide the ability to be dynamically configured for additional load carriage, ensuring that all modular expansion enhances mission capability without creating functional interference, ergonomic degradation, or requiring additional vendor-supplied sub-components. Companies are not required to provide additional sub-components to meet this capability.

15) BAVs and harness should provide dedicated locations and the ability to seamlessly integrate buoyancy-increasing materials and devices without reducing available exterior surface areas for pocket and pouch placement or interfering with established operational, ergonomic, or emergency attributes.

16) BAVs, harness, and LCS materials and construction must provide the ability to minimize water absorption, rapidly evacuate retained water upon egress, and achieve minimal drying times in operational environments without degrading structural integrity.

17) BAVs, harness, LCS pouches, and accessories must provide the ability to be operated, configured, and integrated simply and intuitively across light to heavy combat loads, without requiring specialized training or complex steps.

18) BAVs, harness, and LCS materials and design shall provide the ability to deliver maximal operator comfort, unconstrained full range of dynamic anatomical motion, and maximal agility across all combat environments without binding, chafing, or impeding tactical maneuverability.

19) BAVs, harness, and LCS materials and hardware design shall provide the ability for operators to easily access, open, close, adjust, and release all critical components while wearing wet suit/dive neoprene gloves, standard contact/combat gloves, or bulky cold-weather gloves to the maximum extent practical.

20) BAVs, harnesses, and LCS materials, hardware, and structural unions must provide the ability to withstand operational and storage thermal extremes, biological agents, corrosive maritime exposures, and harsh military chemical contaminants without material degradation, loss of tensile strength, or failure of mission functionality during extended deployments.

• Must withstand the effects of full climatic range of operations -50°F up to 130°F.

• Must withstand storage temperatures -50°F up to 160°F

• Must be resistant to rot, mildew, Deet, Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants (POL), chlorine, UV light, salt, sand.

21) BAVs, harness and LCS must provide the ability to sustain an active operational combat service life of not less than eighteen (18) months following issue to the SOF operator without structural failure, loss of ballistic plate retention, degradation of emergency quick-release functionality, or failure of load carriage interfaces during continuous multi-environment deployments.

22) BAVs, harness, and LCS must be fabricated from lightweight, high-durability materials and incorporate structural reinforcement across all high-stress load unions, seams, and attachment joints to provide the ability to withstand extreme combat loads while minimizing operator physical burden and system tare weight.

23) All LCS components should provide the ability to attach firmly to the BAV with minimal pouch movement, using simple, durable fasteners that withstand all operational environments.

24) M-BALCS must provide the ability to seamlessly integrate, mount, and interoperate with all currently issued SPEAR load carriage items, pouches, and platforms without requiring adapters, modifications, or specialized conversion hardware.

25) M-BALCS, in the original manufacturer packaging, must provide the ability to maintain a non-operational storage shelf life of not less than three (3) years under warehouse and depot storage conditions without material degradation, loss of tensile/tear strength, delamination, or reduction of subsequent operational service life.

26) M-BALCS components must provide the ability to be simply and intuitively operated, minimize outward bulk and snag hazards, securely retain mission-essential equipment during dynamic maneuvers, and allow rapid, single-handed access for equipment extraction and re-insertion without visual aid.

27) M-BALCS should include a carrying case with the ability to hold the BAV variant and accompanying LCS components, with a reinforced top handle for heavy transport.

4. AWARD INSTRUMENT

This solicitation is associated with the Army's Open Solicitation (AOS), W9128Z-25-S- A002. Please see the reference link for more information:

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/923946ff85b94746be9249b5ed5f2fc7/view

The Government anticipates awarding multiple OTAs under this Call for Solutions.

5.0 CALL INSTRUCTIONS AND NOTES

This Call for Solutions is set aside exclusively for Small Businesses who are also the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) of the proposed solution. Submissions from large businesses or third-party resellers will not be evaluated

The company shall submit a white paper for consideration no later than 8:00 PM EDT, 25 September 2026.

This initiative is proceeding on an accelerated timeline, and adherence to the established due dates is essential for successful completion.

Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for any amendments to this solicitation that may have updated information.

This call may result in the award of prototype projects, which include not only commercially available technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, but also concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities that can incrementally improve commercial technologies or concepts for defense applications.

5.1 Overview of Submission Phases

This Call for Solutions employs a three-phase white paper and demonstration evaluation process designed to identify the most promising solutions.

• Phase 1: White Paper Review (Go/No-Go) All submitted white papers will undergo an initial review to determine if they meet the fundamental requirements of this Call for Solutions. Evaluation criteria include relevance to the stated needs, demonstrated innovation, and apparent technical feasibility. Companies will be notified if their submission does not proceed to the next stage. Additional information for Phase 2 will be provided to companies that have been selected to move forward.

• Phase 2: Demonstration Day – Companies will be invited to attend a Demonstration /Presentation Day (anticipated October 27-29 2026). Companies will be required to https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/923946ff85b94746be9249b5ed5f2fc7/view demonstrate their working concepts (prototype must be present) and provide a presentation on their current and future capability to meet this requirement. Feedback on how the concepts match up to the requirement needs will be provided. Evaluation criteria include relevance to the stated needs, demonstrated innovation, and apparent technical feasibility. Companies will be notified if their Demonstration/Presentation does not proceed to the next phase within five days of the Demonstration Day. Additional information for Phase 3 will be provided to companies that have been selected to move forward.

• Phase 3: Submission of Prototype – Companies will be required to submit prototypes based on concepts presented in their White Paper and/or Demonstration Day to demonstrate changes made in pursuit of achieving the required technical and desired attributes. It is anticipated that a Bailment Agreement will be used to facilitate this.

Prototypes will be assessed for form, fit, and function. Prototypes will also be assessed to confirm alignment with the technical specifications, functionality, and performance characteristics detailed in the corresponding white paper submission. All demonstration units will be returned to the submitting company upon completion of the evaluation process. Companies successfully completing Phase 3 will be invited to submit a Request for Solution Proposal (RSP). The RSP will set forth specific guidelines for submission and evaluation. It is anticipated Phase 3 submission will be due roughly on/or about 5 January 2027.

Detailed submission requirements for Phase 1 are provided in Section 6. Evaluation criteria for Phase 1 are outlined in Section 7. Phase 2 and/or Phase 3 submission requirements and evaluation criteria will be provided via subsequent invitation letters.

5.2 General Notes

Offerors are reminded that all awards are subject to the availability of funds and the Government reserves the right to make multiple awards, a single award, or no award as a result of this Call.

Only a Contracting or Agreements Officer has the authority to enter into, modify, or execute a binding instrument on behalf of the United States Government. All payment obligations are subject to Congressional appropriations.

In order to be eligible for award, offerors must:

Possess a Unique Entity ID (UEI), be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award, and maintain active registration throughout the period of performance.

Register in the prescribed government invoicing system (e.g., Wide Area Work Flow).

Accurately represent their small business size and status as required.

Be determined responsible by the Contracting/Agreements Officer and not be suspended, debarred, or otherwise prohibited from receiving an award.

Disclose any actual or potential Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCIs) to the Contracting/Agreements Officer prior to award.

Notice to Offeror(s): The Government reserves the right to cancel this open Call, either before or after the closing date. If the Government cancels this open Call, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs.

6. SOLUTION SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS.

Instructions for submissions of White Paper:

The white paper submissions shall respond directly to the “Required Technical Attribute” and “Key Attributes” requirements above. The Company should be clear, concise and include adequate detail for effective evaluation. The White paper should not simply rephrase or restate the Government’s requirements but rather provide clear and convincing rationale to address how the Company intends to meet the requirements above. The White Paper should contain sufficient information to enable the Government to fully assess and determine the Company’s capabilities. Companies are reminded to submit only the requested information in accordance with these instructions.

White papers must describe how the Company meets the Non-Traditional Defense Contractor requirement in accordance with 10 U.S.C 4022. If the Company does not meet the definition of Non-Traditional, the Company will need to determine the cost share with a Non-Traditional Defense Contractor.

The White Paper shall not exceed a total of twenty (20) letter-sized (8 ½ x 11) pages and must include appropriate classification markings if necessary. One page equals one side of a sheet of paper. Number the pages consecutively and use a 12-point font size in an easily readable font, such as Times New Roman or Arial. The 20-page limitation does not include the title page, but if used, a table of contents, definition of acronyms, illustrations, or diagrams will count against the 20-page limit. The Government will not evaluate any materials exceeding 20 pages.

The white paper shall contain:

a. Title Page (does not count against page limit) - Company Name, Status as either a traditional defense contractor or non-traditional defense contractor, Title, Date, Technical and Business Points of Contact, E-Mail Address, Phone, and Address, Cage code, small business status, UEI number, and a definitive statement certifying the Company is the OEM of the proposed solution.

b. Executive Summary - Provide an executive summary of the technology.

c. Overview Diagram or figure.

d. Identify major subcontractors

e. Country of affiliation

f. Identify whether subcontractors are foreign to include name of foreign vendors, foreign country of affiliation and what specifically constitutes the foreign content of their products.

g. Include a proprietary information statement to White Paper submission.

h. High-level pricing breakdown or Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate.

i. Briefly discuss possible demonstration plan and/or equipment list that will be shared with the Government on Demonstration Day.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS

Questions are to be sent to the Agreements Officer, Specialist and Project Officer (POCs) listed in this Call for Solution.

The deadline for submitting questions is 8:00 pm EDT on September 15, 2026, Questions and answers are anticipated to be published on 18 September 2026 as an Attachment to this Call for Solutions.

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA

White paper will be evaluated in three phases utilizing a down select process. Phase 1 companies submit white papers outlining their existing baseline vest and their conceptual engineering approach to the modifications. Phase 2 Down-selected companies present physical prototypes of their baseline vests to the Government evaluators at a demonstration day. Phase 3 Down-selected companies are given a short window to submit enhanced proof of concept based on feedback from Phase 2.

1) Phase One:

Evaluation – Initial White Paper Review:

Evaluation will consist of a “Go/No-Go” screening based on the factors outlined in Attachment 02, Initial White Paper Evaluation Part 1. Any Company not satisfactorily meeting all criteria listed in the Go/No-Go Matrix constitutes failure of the entire submission and shall be removed from further consideration

Submissions that do not identify a tangible physical demonstration element—or that rely solely on slide briefings—will receive a 'No-Go' evaluation and will not be invited to Phase 2 Demonstration Day.

The Government estimates that it will require one (1) week to review and respond to white papers. At that time, the Government will inform the Company that:

a. The Government has not selected the Company to move forward with the submitted white paper.

b. The Government requests that the Company bring their prototype concepts and be available to participate in an in-person (or virtual) Demonstration/Presentation Day. The Government may elect to move from Phase 1 to Phase 3 without the presentation.

2) Phase Two and Three of the Call for Solutions

Evaluation criteria will be provided with the notifications after completion of each phase.

3) Request for Solution Proposal (RSP)

Companies selected in Phase 3 will receive an RSP that will set forth specific guidelines for submission and evaluation.

The Government reserves the right to request further substantiating documentation about existing capabilities.

8. ITERATIVE PROTOTYPING

In accordance with AOS, Section F, to capitalize on mature commercial technologies and accelerate capability delivery, this strategy employs a multi-phased, iterative prototyping approach. Initial phases will focus on low-overhead activities, including white paper assessments and baseline capability demonstrations. Following Warfighter evaluations, the process will culminate in the award of one or more Prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). The Prototype OTA phase is not limited to performance validation; it encompasses continuous iterative development, compatibility refinement, and mission adaptation. Operational and technical feedback will be provided to the performer throughout the duration of the OTA, followed by a consolidated Government evaluation report at the conclusion of formal evaluation events.

Modifications and enhancements are highly anticipated to ensure system compatibility, modularity, and enhanced functionality. The Government may request prototype design modifications to meet discrete mission needs or resolve gaps identified during operational use. Throughout execution, the scope may be adjusted by mutual agreement to adapt the technology for emerging mission sets. Phased prototype awards or modifications will continue until all performance milestones and Government mission success criteria are fully met.

9. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PROTOTYPE

In accordance with AOS, Section G, successful completion of the prototype will be determined by the Government, through written determination by the appropriate approving official, based on the achievement of all agreed-upon deliverables, performance metrics, and acceptance criteria as outlined in the prototype agreement.

The Government will conduct a final evaluation to confirm that all requirements have been met prior to considering any follow-on production activities. The Government may also, prior to full completion, transition any complete and substantive aspect of the prototype determined to provide utility into production, as appropriate.

10. FOLLOW-ON PRODUCTION

In accordance with AOS, Section H – Follow-On Production of a Prototype, and pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022, companies are advised that any prototype awarded in response to this Call may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or agreement without the use of further competitive procedures, contingent upon successful completion of the prototype and determination by the Government. The follow-on production contract or agreement may be available for use by one or more organization(s) within the Department of War (DoW), and the scope and magnitude of the follow-on award could be significantly larger than that of the prototype effort.

11. NON-GOVERNMENT ADVISORS

N/A

12.ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (OCI)

The Offeror shall perform an OCI analysis and submit the results of that analysis in addition to the White Paper submission. Specifically, the Offeror shall analyze the details of the Call and the implementation of their proposed Solution for actual or potential OCI situations associated with the performance of the Offeror, or any of the Offeror’s proposed teammates or subcontractors, under any contract or agreement the Offeror or the Offeror’s teammates or subcontractors have been or may be awarded by any federal agency or other entity. The Offeror shall describe in detail the methodology used to identify actual or potential OCI issues. The level of detail for OCI analysis may not be the same for all companies. FAR 9.5 may be used as guidance for OCI analysis.

If no conflicts are identified, a risk mitigation plan is not required; however, a description of the analysis methodology, and an affirming statement that no conflicts are identified shall be included. This section will not count against submission page limits.

If the Offeror identifies any actual or potential OCIs with respect to the performance of the Offeror or the Offeror’s subcontractors or teammates, the contractor shall provide an OCI Mitigation Plan to be incorporated as an attachment to any resulting contract or agreement. Any proposed avoidance or mitigation techniques shall be consistent with

FAR 9.5 and the most recent decisions of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.

13. APPENDICES

Appendix A - Affirmation of Business Status Certification Attachment 0001 - Evaluation Matrix Attachment

14. GOVERNMENT POINTS OF CONTACT

Contracting/Agreements Officer:

Danny Soto Email: danny.soto3.civ@army.mil

Contracting/Agreements Specialist Lydia Wang Email: lydia.z.wang.civ@army.mil

Project Officer:

Rick Pangelinan Email: Ricardo.c.pangelinan.civ@army.mil

File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .