HQ0860-25-S-C003_MDA LCI Solicitation_NOBLE No. 3.pdf

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Missile Defense Agency

Low-Cost Interceptor

Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-C003

Missile Defense Agency 5224 Martin Road

Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898

Pg. 2 of 12 Approved for Public Release 25-MDA-12187 (25 Aug 25)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION I. OVERVIEW

SECTION II. PURPOSE

SECTION III. USE AND AVAILABILITY

SECTION IV. AUTHORITIES

SECTION V. DESCRIPTION

SECTION VI. GENERAL INFORMATION

SECTION VII. SOLICITATION INFORMATION

SECTION VIII. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

SECTION IX. FEEDBACK

SECTION X. ATTACHMENTS

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SECTION I. OVERVIEW

A. Federal Agency Name: Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

B. Program Name: Advanced Capability (AC)

C. Solicitation Name: Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI)

D. Solicitation No.: HQ0860-25-S-C003

E. Solicitation Period: White paper responses must be received by MDA no later than September 29, 2025.

F. Solicitation Process: This is a Two-Step process, which provides for the competitive selection of white papers. This solicitation details the process for Step-One. Step-Two will vary based on selection of the white paper (all or part) and the award type recommended (Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) or non-FAR based).

Step-One: Submission, evaluation, and selection of white papers. Selected white papers will proceed to Step-Two.

Step-Two: Offerors selected to proceed to Step-Two will receive a detailed request for information and/or documentation needed to proceed with negotiation towards an award.

G. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).

H. Agency Contact: mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil (Unclassified email only)

SECTION II. PURPOSE

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) “Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI)” solicitation provides industry an opportunity to provide the Government with innovative approaches to rapidly demonstrate very low cost (<$750K per missile), modular interceptor designs to counter ballistic and hypersonic threats. This solicitation is for a concept demonstration effort utilizing readily available components and technologies within a very compressed schedule.

SECTION III. USE AND AVAILABILITY

This solicitation is issued under MDA’s Nimble Options for Buying Layered Effects (NOBLE) Announcement, Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-0001.

mailto:mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil

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SECTION IV. AUTHORITIES

This solicitation is issued under the following authorities:

FAR 6.102(d)(2) – Other competitive procedures FAR 35.016 – Broad agency announcement Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 235.016 – Broad agency announcement DFARS 235.006-71 – Competition 10 U.S.C. § 4022 – Authority of the Department of Defense (DoD) to carry out certain prototype projects

Offerors are required to identify the proposed authority to which they are submitting a white paper response (Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) – FAR Part 35 or Other Transaction for Prototype – 10 U.S.C. § 4022). Offerors proposing under BAA authority are reminded BAAs are utilized by the agency to fulfill the requirements for scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge and understanding rather than focusing on a specific system or hardware solution. Offerors are responsible for ensuring their submission aligns with one of the authorities listed above.

SECTION V. DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

Refer to the MDA’s NOBLE Announcement, Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-0001.

B. Topic Areas

This solicitation is issued under Topic Area #1 Kinetic and Hypersonic Defense from MDA’s NOBLE Announcement, Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-0001.

1. Kinetic and Hypersonic Defense: Rapid development, demonstration, and transition of cost-efficient kinetic defense solutions against ballistic and hypersonic missile threats. This considers potential Missile Defense System concepts and technologies with a spectrum of capabilities and seeks technologies applicable to current interceptor concepts or completely new interceptor concepts. Multiple attributes should be considered in this area, such as: ability to intercept threats including ballistic, maneuvering, hypersonic, and cruise missiles; ability to intercept threats with ranges from Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBMs), Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBMs), and Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missiles (IRBMs); maximization of intercept range; ability to intercept at endo-atmospheric and/or exo-atmospheric altitudes; ability to field an initial demonstration capability in 2-5 years; ability to disrupt the threat by rapidly developing a low cost interceptor.

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C. Technical Description

This solicitation seeks industry innovation for the design, prototyping, and testing of a Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI) to supplement legacy missile defense systems and provide low-cost options to support the rebalancing of the offense/defense cost disparity. To effectively defend against large scale attacks from low cost, Supersonic Cruise Missiles (SCM), SRBM/MRBM, and Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV), MDA is examining interceptor options for considerably decreased unit costs in exchange for a slightly reduced performance rate.

Proposed concepts must utilize open system architecture standards, and it is preferable the concepts utilize:

Commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) / Government off-the-shelf (GOTS) components and supply chains Previously developed subsystems Rapid and low-cost manufacturing practices

Concepts in response to this solicitation should be modular in design with open architectures, such as Weapon Open System Architectures (WOSA), to permit substitution or spiral improvements of different sensors, effectors, guidance, or booster components from multiple vendors in follow-on development efforts to expand the LCI’s mission space for additional threats and/or alternate engagement mechanisms.

Offerors should focus on reduced cost and schedule, with offerors free to trade system performance details in order to leverage COTS/GOTS legacy components while maximizing warfighter utility and meeting minimum capability goals. The minimum required interceptor performance and characteristics are capable of endo-atmospheric engagements against ballistic and hypersonic targets; Mach 5+ flyout speeds to >200km range; onboard terminal seeker for endgame engagement; blast/frag warhead; modular design with open interfaces for ease of upgrade and fitting alternate warheads; and control interfaces adapted to legacy launch and mission control systems. The LCI must be capable of receiving in-flight targeting updates and possess sufficient maneuverability to intercept airborne hypersonic targets. The size of the missile is limited to <10 in diameter to fit the M903 and quad-pack in a Vertical Launch System (VLS). Options for low-cost containerized launchers should also be considered provided they meet the same open interface requirements.

This is intended to be a concept demonstration effort with an abbreviated schedule compared to the traditional development cycle for projects of this magnitude. It will be divided into two phases to permit the Government, if it chooses, to allow multiple vendors to develop their concepts, followed by the selection of some or none of the concepts for prototyping and testing.

The first phase will be limited to six (6) months and the second phase limited to twelve (12) months. This period of performance does not allow for extensive technological development;

therefore, offerors should focus on the integration of COTS/GOTS technologies and subsystems.

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Phase I (6 months) - Detailed Design and Analysis: The first phase of the LCI development shall consist of the detailed design and engagement analysis of a candidate LCI concept. The detailed design must include at a minimum: all major subsystems including, but not limited to, boosters, controls, flight computers, communications, fire control interface, terminal seeker, and warhead, sufficiently detailed that prototype construction can begin in Phase II. The launch interface should be defined including all physical and network connections and be compatible with legacy missile defense systems.

Predicted performance values for all subsystems (particularly concerning guidance and control, seeker acquisition and tracking, and warhead performance) must be provided to allow for independent engagement analyses to predict the concept’s probability of kill against representative threats.

Phase II (12 months) - Prototyping and Testing: The second phase of the LCI development will include prototyping, ground testing, and flight tests of the complete interceptor. The development will verify the integration, operation, and flight performance of the complete interceptor. At the end of Phase II, the vendor shall deliver four (4) to ten (10) LCI missiles for use in intercept tests by the Government. If a concept is selected for Phase II, the interface control documents for all major subsystems must be provided with, at a minimum, Government Purpose Rights (GPR). These rights will enable integration with other launchers and fire control systems, as well as facilitate the development and integration of alternate seekers, effectors, boosters, radios, and other subsystems by alternate vendors.

SECTION VI. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Communication

Dialogue with any Government representative related to this solicitation shall not constitute a commitment by the Government. Any dialogue that takes place will not be taken into consideration during evaluation of responses to this solicitation. Only Contracting and Agreements Officers are legally authorized to make commitments on behalf of the Government.

B. Eligible Offerors

All qualified offerors who meet the requirements of this solicitation are eligible to submit a white paper. Eligible organizations include, but are not limited to:

Private industry (large and small businesses) Commercial and/or non-traditional defense contractors (defined at 10 U.S.C § 3014) Domestic accredited colleges, universities, or institutions of higher learning registered by the U.S. Department of Education

Government entities (including Government and/or National laboratories, military educational institutions, etc.) interested in this solicitation should email mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil for further information.

Federally Funded Research Development Centers (FFRDCs) are not prohibited from responding to this solicitation. However, white paper submissions from FFRDCs must include: 1)

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Determination by the FFRDC’s sponsoring agency that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, and general scope or special competency of the FFRDC; 2) Determination that the work proposed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry; and 3) A plan to transition the proposed effort to industry.

C. System for Award Management (SAM)

Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) https://www.sam.gov at time of response to this solicitation and prior to any award. This includes completion of all required representations and certifications.

D. Security Requirements

White papers in response to this solicitation can be submitted at the Unclassified (U), Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), or Secret (S) level. Offerors are advised, should they be selected for an award, they will be required to access, handle, receive, and store Secret (S) information in performance of the effort. The selected awardee(s) must have an active Secret Facility Clearance Level (FCL) with Secret safeguarding level verified by MDA before any award can be made.

E. Export Control

The technical areas in this solicitation contain export-controlled technologies that are subject to U.S. Export Control laws, including the Arms Export Control Act (22 USC Chapter 39), the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) 22 CFR § 120-130, and/or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR) 15 CFR § 730-774). Offerors are advised the proposed performance of any foreign nationals (FNs) may be restricted due to the nature of the technical data. All offerors must disclose any proposed use of FNs, their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN. Only MDA approved FNs may perform on any efforts proposed under this solicitation. It is encouraged for the proposed Program Manager (PM) and/or Principal Investigator (PI) to be a U.S. person, as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62.

F. Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting

Protection of Covered Defense Information (CDI), to include Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Controlled Technical Information (CTI), is of paramount importance to MDA and can directly impact the ability of MDA to successfully conduct its mission. Any awards resulting from this solicitation may include certain regulations related to the protection of CDI that resides on awardee information systems and requirements for rapid reporting of any cyber incident involving CDI. CDI, CUI, and CTI are defined in DFARS Subpart 204.7301.

Awardee information systems may be subject to the security requirements in National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171, “Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Information Systems and Organizations” (available at https://csrc/nist.gov/publications/sp800) in effect at the time of this solicitation. Offerors selected for an award will be required to have at least a Basic NIST SP 800-171 DoD https://www.sam.gov/ https://csrc/nist.gov/publications/sp800

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Assessment that is current (not more than three (3) years old) posted to the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) at https://www.sprs.csd.disa.mil.

G. Organizational Conflicts of Interest

It is an MDA policy to ensure all appropriate measures are taken to resolve Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCIs) and unfair competitive advantages to prevent the existence of conflicting roles that might bias an offeror’s judgement and deprive MDA of objective advice or assistance, and to prevent offerors from gaining an unfair competitive advantage. All offerors are responsible for identifying and analyzing any potential or actual OCIs that exist as a result of responding to this solicitation.

All offerors, regardless of award type, are subject to the OCI rules, procedures, and responsibilities described in FAR Subpart 9.5 “Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest” and DFARS Subpart 209.5 “Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest.”

These regulations prescribe responsibilities, general rules, and procedures for identifying, evaluating, and resolving OCIs. All offerors, regardless of award type, are also subject to the rules in FAR 3.101-1 “Standards of Conduct – General” and the cases implementing it (See Health Net Fed. Svcs., B-401652.3 and others), which address unfair competitive advantages that can result from contractors hiring or associating with former Government employees.

H. Rights in Intellectual Property to include Technical Data and Computer Software

All offerors, to the maximum extent practicable, should be prepared to appropriately define the rights of the Government regarding Intellectual Property, including but not limited to rights in technical data and/or computer software to be delivered to the Government under any proposed effort. This includes both commercial and non-commercial items.

If no restrictions to the Government’s use of Intellectual Property including technical data and/or computer software delivered under the effort are intended, the offeror should so state.

Government rights in Intellectual Property may be further negotiated prior to the award, which could include priced options.

I. Use of Non-Government Personnel

The Government may use selected FFRDC, University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), non- Government contracted support, and other non-Governmental personnel to assist in the technical review and administrative handling of responses. These persons are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements and organizational conflict of interest statements to protect proprietary information. Non-Government advisors are limited to reviewing responses and providing technical advice to the Government and are prohibited from conducting evaluations and making recommendations for selection. A response submitted to this solicitation constitutes the offeror’s acknowledgment and consent to the use of non-Government personnel. Offerors with questions or objections to the use of non-Government personnel relative to this solicitation should contact mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil.

https://www.sprs.csd.disa.mil/

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J. Ineligibility

White papers may be considered ineligible if the requirements of this solicitation are not met.

SECTION VII. SOLICITATION INFORMATION

A. Response Dates

Inquiries about this solicitation will be accepted through September 10, 2025. MDA has no obligation to respond to questions received after this date. MDA may choose to answer Unclassified, CUI, and/or non-proprietary questions during the virtual information session. All Unclassified inquiries should be sent via email to mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil. For inquiries higher than Unclassified, email mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil for further instruction.

White paper responses must be received by MDA no later than September 29, 2025 at 1600 Central Daylight Time (CDT). Any responses received after this date and time will not be taken into consideration. Offerors shall refer to “Attachment 3 - White Paper Requirements” for white paper submission requirements.

B. Industry Engagement

MDA/AC will be hosting a 2-hour virtual information session about this effort at the CUI level anticipated the week of September 15, 2025. Interested parties must RSVP for the event via email to mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil no later than September 10, 2025. Only persons cleared by MDA to attend a CUI level briefing will be allowed to attend. MDA will respond to those cleared persons with instructions for joining the virtual event.

The Unclassified RVSP must contain:

Company Name Company Mailing Address Company Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code Full name and email address for all attendees

C. Award Type

MDA anticipates using a mix of FAR and non-FAR award types to include, but not limited to:

FAR-based Procurement Contract (See Attachment 1 for additional details on FAR-based Procurement Contracts) Other Transaction (OT) Agreement (See Attachment 2 for additional details on OT

Agreements)

As part of the Step-One white paper submission, offerors should recommend an award type (FAR-based Procurement Contract or OT Agreement) to be considered for the effort. Should the white paper submission be selected for Step-Two, the Government and offeror will further negotiate the best award type for the effort. Other award types may be considered, and some award types may be prioritized as mandated by law or policy.

mailto:mda.mbx.lci-wp@mail.mil

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D. Period of Performance

The period of performance for Phase I - Detailed Design and Analysis is limited to six (6) months. The period of performance for Phase II - Prototyping and Testing is limited to twelve

(12) months.

E. Funding Availability

Due to the varying scientific and technical approaches anticipated, there is not a defined budget or funding level associated with this solicitation. Offerors are welcome to propose a cost-sharing type arrangement. Funding may become available throughout the open period of this solicitation to pursue promising innovative concepts of interest. Offerors should be aware that funding availability might change with little or no notice.

F. Within-Scope Modifications

Offerors are advised that due to the inherent uncertainty of research and development and science and technology efforts, awards resulting from this solicitation may be modified during performance to make within scope changes, to include but not limited to, modifications which increase the overall ceiling, funding amounts, and/or period of performance. Modifications will be governed by the applicable authority.

G. Responses

Offerors are responsible for monitoring https://www.sam.gov for any updates or amendments to this solicitation.

MDA will protect all white papers and proprietary information from unauthorized disclosure and will only disclose the contents for the purpose of evaluation. Offerors are responsible for marking proprietary information with the proper disclosures, along with any required security markings. All white papers submitted in response to this solicitation will be considered expired, and properly disposed of, six (6) months following the closing date of this solicitation.

This solicitation does not commit the Government to pay for the preparation of white papers.

The cost of preparing a response to this solicitation is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting award. The Government intends to evaluate white papers and make recommendations for Step-Two without discussion(s); however, the Government reserves the right to contact offerors if deemed necessary.

SECTION VIII. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

A. Evaluation Criteria

White papers will be evaluated utilizing a peer and/or scientific review process based on the following criteria:

https://www.sam.gov/

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Potential Warfighter Utility: The proposed effort provides advanced capability for the missile defense mission. The expected unit costs, launcher options, and engagement envelope are balanced to maximize warfighter utility.

Execution Potential: The proposed effort offers a reasonable approach to execution, including cost for both phases. The offeror demonstrates it has the capability to execute the project within the allotted time.

Technical Interest: The proposed effort represents an innovative, novel approach that meets the Government’s requirements with a high likelihood of success.

B. Selection Criteria

Multiple selections are anticipated under this solicitation. MDA reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the responses submitted to this solicitation. MDA also reserves the right to select all, some, or none of a particular white paper response.

Selection of white papers for Step-Two will be based on the overall technical merit, importance to agency programs, and funding availability. The requirements for Step-Two are dependent on selection of the white paper (all or part) and the recommended award type (FAR or non-FAR based).

C. Notices

The MDA Contracting Officer will notify offerors if their white paper was selected or not selected for Step-Two. Notifications will state whether the entire white paper or a portion of the white paper is being pursued. If offerors are selected for Step-Two, the MDA Contracting Officer will contact the offeror with further instructions. Any communication from the MDA Contracting Officer does not constitute assurance of an award.

MDA may make selections any time during the open period of this solicitation. White papers not selected due to funding availability may be considered eligible, if funding becomes available, any time throughout the solicitation period and for up to six (6) months following the closing date of the solicitation.

SECTION IX. FEEDBACK

When requested in writing, within five (5) days of receiving the Government’s notice of non-selection, a debrief will be provided to the requesting offeror. The debriefing content will summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed effort.

SECTION X. ATTACHMENTS

1. FAR-based Procurement Contract Requirements

a. OCI Analysis and Disclosure Form

2. OT Agreement Requirements

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3. White Paper Requirements

a. CUI Marking Trifold for MDA Industry Partners (Jan. 8, 2024)

b. ROM Tables (Excel)