HQ0860-25-S-C004_MDA HAIRST Solicitation_NOBLE No. 4.pdf

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for public release; Distribution unlimited.

Missile Defense Agency

High Altitude Infrared Search and Track

Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-C004

Missile Defense Agency

5224 Martin Road

Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898

Pg. 2 of 10 Approved for public release 25-MDA-12199 (8 Sep 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 & SELECTION

SECTION IX. FEEDBACK

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SECTION I. OVERVIEW

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

B. Program Name: Advanced Capability (AC)

C. Solicitation Name: High Altitude Infrared Search and Track (HAIRST)

D. Solicitation No.: HQ0860-25-S-C004

E. Solicitation Period: Proposals must be received by MDA no later than October 30, 2025 at 1700 Central Daylight Time (CDT).

F. Solicitation Process: This solicitation process provides for the competitive selection of

Other Transaction for Prototype proposals. Full details for submission are provided below.

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.redstone.mbx.mda-hairst@mail.mil (Unclassified communication only)

SECTION II. PURPOSE

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) “High Altitude Infrared Search and Track (HAIRST)” solicitation seeks proposals related to the delivery and demonstration of infrared sensor prototypes hosted on high altitude platforms. These prototypes must be capable of both searching a large volume for incoming missile threats and generating high-resolution tracks.

Performers will be required to access, handle, receive, and store SECRET information in performance of this effort. Offerors must have an active SECRET (or higher) Facility Clearance (FCL) with SECRET (or higher) Safeguarding Level to be eligible to respond to this solicitation.

An “Offeror’s Library” with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) necessary to respond to this solicitation is available for offerors with an active SECRET (or higher) FCL with SECRET Safeguarding Level. Details on requesting access to this library are contained in Section V.

Description. Offerors may also learn more about MDA at https://www.mda.mil.

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.

SECTION IV. AUTHORITIES

mailto:mda.redstone.mbx.mda-hairst@mail.mil https://www.mda.mil/

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This solicitation is issued under the authority at 10 U.S.C. § 4022: Authority of the Department of Defense (DoD) to carry out certain prototype projects.

SECTION V. DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

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

B. Topic Areas

This solicitation is issued under Topic Area #4 Disruptive Technologies from MDA’s NOBLE Announcement, Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-S-0001.

4. Disruptive Technologies: The Missile Defense System shall incorporate mature, disruptive technologies to rapidly field advanced capabilities. This effort prioritizes innovations ready for immediate application or near-term transition, focusing on areas such as AI, directed energy, hypersonic defense, resilient networking, and cybersecurity. This could include novel concepts in the areas of satellite ground Telemetry, Tracking and Commanding (TT&C) capabilities, effectors, high-performance sensor algorithms, space-based tracking phenomenologies and discrimination, space-based off-board sensing concepts for weapons guidance and AI/machine learning (ML) for space/ground applications. These technologies shall enhance the defense system's effectiveness against rapidly evolving threats through enhanced situational awareness, rapid decision-making, and effective response options.

This could also include rapid demonstration and prototype development of disruptive technologies to accelerate the deployment and maintenance of a next-generation defense shield over the United States. This effort, encompassing new system-level capabilities, component concepts, upgrades to existing systems, and novel concepts of operation (CONOPS) across the entire kill chain, will focus on enhancing the Missile Defense System ability to deter and defend against any foreign aerial attack, guaranteeing a secure second-strike capability.

C. Technical Description

An “Offeror’s Library” with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) necessary to respond to this solicitation is available for offerors with an active SECRET (or higher) FCL with SECRET (or higher) Safeguarding Level. The Government reserves the right to negotiate and/or adjust any of these documents prior to award.

Offeror’s Library documents:

• HAIRST Overview

• Proposal Submission Requirements

• Proposed Agreement and Attachments

• Required Forms

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To Request Access: Interested offerors must have their Facility Security Officer (FSO) email the following information to mda.redstone.mbx.mda-hairst@mail.mil no later than September 26, 2025:

• Company name and official mailing address

• FSO contact information (email and phone number)

• Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code

This information will be used to verify the offeror has an active SECRET (or higher) FCL with SECRET (or higher) Safeguarding Level. Requests received after September 26, 2025 will not be considered.

Distribution: The Offeror’s Library will be distributed to the requesting offeror once MDA has verified their FCL. It is anticipated for the Offeror’s Library to be sent to the offeror’s FSO via DoD Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE).

SECTION VI. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Communication

Inquiries related to this solicitation are limited to Unclassified questions of a general administrative nature. Questions of a technical nature will not be accepted. All Unclassified administrative questions must be received by MDA (via email to mda.redstone.mbx.mda-hairst@mail.mil) no later than October 10, 2025. Questions received after this date will not be answered, except to confirm that a proposal has been received.

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 Agreements Officers are legally authorized to make commitments on behalf of the Government.

B. Eligible Offerors

Offerors will be required to indicate their eligibility for an Other Transaction for Prototype in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (d) by completion and submission of the Business Qualification Form provided in the Offeror’s Library.

C. System for Award Management (SAM)

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

D. Security Requirements

Performers will be required to access, handle, receive, and store SECRET information in performance of this effort. Offerors must have an active SECRET (or higher) FCL with mailto:mda.redstone.mbx.mda-hairst@mail.mil mailto:mda.redstone.mbx.mda-hairst@mail.mil https://www.sam.gov/

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SECRET (or higher) Safeguarding Level to be eligible to respond. Any award(s) resulting from this solicitation will contain a DD Form 254, DoD Contract Security Classification Specification.

Per the DD Form 254, access to CUI and legacy FOUO shall be limited to U.S. Persons and dual citizens that do not violate the Countries list in 22 CFR 16.1. Exceptions may be granted by the MDA AO in coordination with the Program Manager.

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).

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 award(s) resulting from this solicitation may include certain regulations related to 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 Rev 2, “Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Information Systems and Organizations” (available at https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/sp800). Offerors selected for an award will be required to have at least a Basic NIST SP 800-171 DoD 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 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, regardless of business 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.

https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/sp800 https://www.sprs.csd.disa.mil/

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All offerors must identify and analyze any potential or actual OCIs that exist as a result of responding to this solicitation and/or performance of the effort through completion and submission of the OCI form provided in the Offeror’s Library.

Proposals categorized as “Highly Recommended” or “Recommended” for award, as those terms are described in Section VII. Evaluation and Selection, will be screened for OCI or unfair competitive advantage. Award will not be made to an offeror that has an OCI without adequate avoidance, neutralization, or mitigation or to an offeror with an unfair competitive advantage resulting from its hiring or association with a former Government employee.

H. Data Rights

All offerors, to the maximum extent practicable, must appropriately define the rights of the Government regarding Data, including but not limited to rights in technical data and software to be delivered to the Government. This includes both commercial and non-commercial items. All offerors are required to complete and submit the Data Assertions document contained within the Offeror’s Library. If no restrictions to the Government’s use of Data delivered under the effort are intended, the offeror should so state. Government rights in Data may be further negotiated prior to award.

I. Use of Non-Government Personnel

The Government may use selected Federally Funded Research and Development (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.redstone.mbx.mda-hairst@mail.mil.

J. Comptroller Access to Records

Any Other Transaction agreements awarded as a result of this solicitation that exceed $5,000,000 will be subject to the right of the Comptroller General of the U.S. to access and examine the records of the offeror that are reasonably related to the offeror’s performance under the agreement.

K. Ineligibility

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

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SECTION VII. SOLICITATION INFORMATION

A. Proposal Submission

Proposals must be received by MDA no later than October 30, 2025 at 1700 Central Daylight Time (CDT). Proposal submission requirements are contained within the Offeror’s Library. This solicitation will remain open until the above-stated proposal due date unless superseded, extended, canceled, or replaced. Offerors are responsible for monitoring https://www.SAM.gov for any updates or amendments to this solicitation.

B. Industry Engagement

There are no specific industry engagement efforts planned relative to this solicitation.

C. Award Type

MDA will use an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement (Fixed Price) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022 for awards under this solicitation. This solicitation and the entry into an Other Transaction for Prototype agreement, will be considered the result of competitive procedures such that a follow-on production agreement or contract may be awarded.

Production agreements and/or contracts are authorized under 10 U.S.C. § 4022 as follow-on to a Other Transaction for Prototype agreement that was competitively awarded and successfully completed. As a general matter, successfully completed means the performer (1) met the key technical goals of a project; (2) satisfied success metrics incorporated into the Other Transaction for Prototype or (3) accomplished a particularly favorable or unexpected result that justifies the transition to production.

D. Period of Performance

The anticipated period of performance for this effort is contained within the Offeror’s Library.

E. Funding Availability

Due to the varying technical approaches anticipated, there is not a defined budget or funding level associated with this solicitation. 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 prototyping 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 https://www.sam.gov/

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MDA will protect all appropriately marked proposals 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 proposals 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 proposals. 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 proposals without discussions;

however, the Government reserves the right to contact offerors if deemed necessary.

SECTION VIII. EVALUATION & SELECTION

A. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated against the following criteria: 1) Technical Merit, 2) Program Management, and 3) Offeror Capabilities, as described below.

Technical Merit and Program Management are each weighted at 40%. Offeror Capabilities is weighted at 20%. The sub-criteria within each criteria are equally weighted.

MDA will assign a category (Highly Recommended, Recommended, Not Recommended) for each criteria. Based on the categorization of each criteria and the assigned weighting, MDA will assign the proposal an overall category (Highly Recommended, Recommended, Not Recommended). Category definitions are provided in Paragraph B. below.

Technical Merit: focuses on the performance, innovativeness, and technical readiness of the proposed payload, specifically:

a. Performance of the proposed payload

b. Innovativeness of the proposed payload

c. Technical readiness level of key components

Program Management: focuses on the task plan, deliverables, and payments, specifically:

a. Thoroughness, applicability, and logical arrangement of the proposed tasks

b. Thoroughness and adequacy of the proposed deliverables

c. Reasonableness of the proposed milestones, payments, and schedule relative to the proposed approach. Proposals with excessively high prices will not be considered reasonable.

Offeror Capabilities: focuses on the offeror’s capabilities, compliance with security requirements, and dependencies on external support, specifically:

a. Relevancy of the proposed team’s qualifications, capabilities, facilities, equipment, and experience to accomplish the proposed Agreement

b. Ability of the proposed team to comply with the DD Form 254

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c. Dependency on external support to include (but not limited to) Government furnished information, equipment, and property.

B. Category Definitions

Categories are defined as follows:

• Highly Recommended: Proposal is recommended for selection and normally only displaced by other Highly Recommended proposals. A Highly Recommended proposal may be displaced by another Highly Recommended proposal based on affordability.

• Recommended: Proposal is recommended for selection but at a lower priority than Highly Recommended proposals. A Recommended proposal may be prioritized over a Highly Recommended proposal if the Recommended proposal presents a desired approach unlike any of the Highly Recommended proposals.

• Not Recommended: Proposal is not recommended for selection.

C. Selection Criteria

Proposals will be selected based on funding availability. The Government reserves the right to select all, some, or none of the proposals submitted to this solicitation. The Government also reserves the right to select all, some, or none of a particular proposal.

D. Notices

The MDA Agreements Officer will notify offerors with selection or non-selection for award.

Selections for award will state whether the entire proposal, or a portion of the proposal, is being pursued. Selection notices will state any further information and documentation needed to proceed with the award.

Any communication from the MDA Agreements Officer does not constitute assurance of an award. Proposals not selected due to funding availability may be considered eligible, if funding becomes available, for up to six (6) months following the closing date of the solicitation.

SECTION IX. FEEDBACK

Feedback on submissions to this solicitation will not be provided.