LowCostKillVehicle_Solicitation_HQ0860-26-S-C009.pdf
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- Attached to
- Low-Cost Kill Vehicles Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- HQ0860-26-S-C009
- Issued by
- DOD Missile Defense Agency
About this file
This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and solicitation for low-cost kill vehicle solutions issued by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA).
The solicitation seeks industry innovation for the design, adaptation, and demonstration of low-cost kill vehicle subsystems and concepts to enable the next generation of affordable, mass-producible interceptors. Solutions must address one or more of five technology areas: Divert and Attitude Control Systems (DACS), Low-Cost Seekers (LCS), Warheads and Novel Defeat Mechanisms, Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Hardware and Software, and Cooperative Engagement Algorithms. Proposed concepts should leverage readily available technologies, support rapid manufacturing at production rates exceeding 240 units annually, and provide detailed cost justifications for development and unit production. Solutions may be complete kill vehicle assemblies or subsystems applicable to current interceptor concepts (SM-3, THAAD, MDA Low-Cost Interceptor, Glide Phase Interceptor, Next Generation Interceptor, Navy Modular Missile) or entirely new interceptor designs. The program emphasizes cost reduction, accelerated development timelines, supply chain diversity, and integration into open-architecture frameworks such as Weapon Open System Architectures (WOSA).
The solicitation operates as a two-step competitive process. Step-One involves white paper submission due October 2, 2026, at 1600 Central Daylight Time, with inquiries accepted through September 18, 2026. Interested parties must request access to the Offeror's Library (containing performance specification templates, cost estimation tables, and submission requirements) by September 4, 2026, through their Facility Security Officer. Selected white papers proceed to Step-Two for detailed proposal development and negotiation. The program comprises three sequential 12-month phases: Phase I focuses on detailed design and WOSA adaptation achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5; Phase II addresses flight-weight prototyping and testing achieving TRL 6 and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 6; Phase III covers final testing and manufacturing demonstration with a minimum production of five units and sustained manufacturing capability of 20 units per 30 calendar days. All white papers must be submitted at the SECRET classification level, with offerors required to maintain active SECRET facility clearance with SECRET safeguarding level. MDA anticipates multiple selections using both FAR-based procurement contracts and Other Transaction (OT) agreements. No defined budget ceiling exists; funding availability may change during the open solicitation period. An in-person industry day is scheduled for September 9, 2026, with RSVP required by August 27, 2026. Evaluation criteria include technical credibility, project schedule feasibility, innovation, cost reasonableness, manufacturing production unit costs, test infrastructure, past performance, facilities capability, supply chain diversity support, transition potential, and risk-benefit analysis.
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Approved for Public Release
26-MDA-12390 (19 Aug 26)
Missile Defense Agency
Low-Cost
Kill Vehicles
Solicitation No. HQ0860-26-S-C009
Missile Defense Agency
5224 Martin Road
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I. OVERVIEW
SECTION II. PURPOSE
SECTION III. USE AND AVAILABILITY
SECTION V. DESCRIPTION
SECTION VI. GENERAL INFORMATION
SECTION VII. SOLICITATION INFORMATION
SECTION VIII. EVALUATION AND 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: Low-Cost Kill Vehicles
D. Solicitation No.: HQ0860-26-S-C009
E. Request for Offerors Library: Interested offerors must have their Facility Security
Officer (FSO) email information to mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil no later than
September 4, 2026 as described in section V.
F. Solicitation Period: White paper responses must be received by MDA no later than
October 2, 2026.
G. 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.
H. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except
Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).
I. Agency Contact: mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil (Unclassified email only)
SECTION II. PURPOSE
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) “Low-Cost Kill Vehicles” solicitation seeks solutions to dramatically decrease the cost of kill vehicles for defense against ballistic and hypersonic threats.
This program prioritizes the use of readily available technologies to deliver solutions on a compressed schedule with little to no reduction in performance or reliability. This solicitation seeks to transition concepts into future missile defense interceptors or cost saving upgrades to legacy interceptors. Future interceptors include but are not limited to MDA Low-Cost
Interceptor (LCI), Glide Phase Interceptor, Next Generation Interceptor, Navy Modular Missile, etc. Legacy interceptors include standard missile 3 (SM-3), and THAAD. Solutions may include complete kill vehicles or kill vehicle subsystems.
mailto:
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Key Technology Areas of Interest:
• Kill vehicle divert and attitude control systems
• Low-Cost Seekers
• Warheads and other novel defeat mechanisms
• Guidance Navigation and Control (GNC) Hardware
• Cooperative Engagement Algorithms
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
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 and Topic Area
#4 Disruptive Technologies from MDA’s NOBLE Announcement, Solicitation No. HQ0860-25-
S-0001.
Topic Area 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
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26-MDA-12390 (19 Aug 26) 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.
Topic Area 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
This solicitation seeks industry innovation for the design, adaptation, and demonstration of Low-
Cost Kill Vehicle subsystems and concepts to enable the next generation of affordable mass producible interceptors. This effort aims to mature critical subsystems that will reduce cost, accelerate development, and mitigate risk for future interceptors. The core objective is to identify and demonstrate kill vehicle subsystems that can be rapidly integrated into an open-architecture interceptor framework. This program prioritizes the aggressive pursuit of cost reduction, directly supporting the strategic goal of rebalancing the offense-defense cost disparity.
Proposed concepts should be based on technologies which will support rapid and low cost manufacturing practices. Solutions should enable rapid manufacturing with ability to produce over 240 units per year. Proposals should justify estimated unit costs and development costs.
Proposals must also provide cost assumptions and specify any further costs associated with development and establishing production. Proposed solutions should promote supply chain diversity and avoid sole source suppliers to avoid manufacturing bottlenecks and obsolescence.
Relevant threats include ballistic missiles, hypersonic missiles, and hypersonic cruise missiles of various ranges.
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Offerors may propose solutions that significantly reduce the cost of kill vehicles in one or more of the following Technology Areas of Interest:
• Divert and Attitude Control Systems (DACS): Proposed systems may include axial or lateral divert thrusters. The DACS must control the attitude of the kill vehicle continuously from after final stage separation through endgame. DACS technologies of interest enable long duty cycles with controllable thrust levels meeting or exceeding the current state of the art at a lower price point.
• Low-Cost Seekers (LCS): LCS provides low size, weight, and cost seeker solutions to detect, track, and engage time sensitive targets, enabling the appropriate guidance commands for threat intercept in hypersonic and/or exo-atmospheric environment. This may include electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) seekers, and/or radiofrequency (RF) seekers. LCS may leverage low size, weight, and power (SWaP) and inexpensive devices in the commercial market, high manufacturing readiness level (MRL) commercial manufacturing practices, reconfigurable modular processing architecture, and standardized interfaces between components (both hardware and software).
• Warheads and Novel Defeat Mechanisms: Seeking blast fragmentation warheads or other novel defeat methods to prevent threat from completing mission. Desire technologies that maximize kill volume at minimal size. This may save overall cost by reducing performance requirements for other kill vehicle components.
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) Hardware and Software: Seeking advanced hardware and software capable of providing positioning and pointing data at low size weight, power and cost.
• Cooperative Engagement Algorithms: Probability of kill can be much higher for missiles working together to intercept a maneuvering target vs each missile operating autonomously. Algorithms are desired which can run onboard interceptor missiles to coordinate their engagement planning, improve target tracking, deconflict mutual intercept interference, and address uncertainties in target flight paths.
Offerors must complete a performance specification for the relevant Technology Area of Interest
(see Offeror’s Library below). Offerors may complete a separate white paper for each
Technology Area of Interest, unless they are offering a full kill vehicle assembly. Offerors are highly encouraged to establish partnerships with prime integrators to define performance objectives, relevant integration details, and any applicable digital engineering standards.
Low-Cost Interceptor Attributes and Applications: Offerors may develop solutions for MDA
Low-Cost Interceptor (LCI) or other interceptors. In reference to Low-Cost Interceptors in
Section II, the following description of that effort is provided. The LCI program seeks to develop a series of interceptors for various missile defense missions and engagement ranges with diameters ranging from 10” to 21”. LCI baseline parameters include Mach 5+ flyout speeds to
>200km range and <10 in diameter. LCI upgrades may include larger missiles with significantly longer ranges. Concepts focusing on LCI should be modular in design with open architectures, such as Weapon Open System Architectures (WOSA), to permit substitution or spiral improvements of different components from multiple vendors in follow-on development efforts to expand the LCI’s mission space for additional threats and/or alternate engagement mechanisms. The government plans to provide Interface Control Documents (ICDs) for
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26-MDA-12390 (19 Aug 26) demonstration flights during the development effort based on LCI designs as they mature.
Proposed solutions may focus on hypersonic endo-atmospheric engagements or ballistic exo-atmospheric engagements.
The 36-month program is divided into three sequential phases to permit the Government to select the most promising concepts.
Phase I (12 months) - Detailed Design and WOSA Adaptation: Offerors will design kill vehicle subsystem designs to be compatible with WOSA standards. This phase concludes with engineering unit ground testing to demonstrate TRL (Technology Readiness Level) 5.
Phase II (12 months) - Flight-Weight Prototyping and Testing: This phase focuses on building and testing a prototype in a relevant environment to achieve TRL 6 and approximately
MRL 6 for the kill vehicle subsystem.
Phase III (12 months) – Final Testing and Manufacturing Demonstration: This phase focuses on final modifications, testing and manufacturing demonstration. Testing may include flight demonstration on a government sponsored flight. Offerors should manufacture a minimum of 5 units and demonstrate ability to manufacture at a sustained rate of 20 units in 30 calendar days and achieve MRL 6.
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) Facility Clearance
(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 the following attachments:
1. FAR-based Procurement Contract Requirements
a. OCI Analysis and Disclosure Form
2. OT Agreement Requirements
3. White Paper Requirements
a. CUI Marking Trifold for MDA Industry Partners (Jan. 8, 2024)
b. ROM Tables (Excel)
c. DACS Performance Specification Template
d. Low-Cost Seeker Performance Specification Template
e. Warhead Performance Specification Template
f. GNC Performance Specification Template
g. Cooperative Engagement Algorithms Performance Specification Template
h. Low-cost Kill Vehicle Response Quad Template
4. Business Qualification Form
To Request Access: Interested offerors must have their Facility Security Officer (FSO) email the following information to mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil no later than September 4, 2026:
• Company name and official mailing address
• FSO contact information (email and phone number)
• Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
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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 4, 2026 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
All Unclassified communication regarding this solicitation should be submitted via email to mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil. If higher than Unclassified communication is necessary, send an
Unclassified email to the address listed above for further guidance. 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.lowcostkv-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)
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.
Offerors using Other Transaction for Prototype will be required to indicate their eligibility in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (d) by completion and submission of the Business
Qualification Form provided in the Offeror’s Library.
mailto:mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil mailto:mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil
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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 shall be submitted at the SECRET (S) level.
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
SECRET (or higher) Safeguarding Level to be eligible to respond to this solicitation.
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 FCL with SECRET safeguarding level verified by
MDA before any award can be made. 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.
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 hereby notified that access to any Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and legacy For Official Use Only (FOUO) will be limited to U.S. Persons and dual citizens that do not violate the Countries list in 22 CFR 16.1.
F. Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting https://www.sam.gov/
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Protection of Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is of paramount importance to MDA and can directly impact the ability of MDA to successfully conduct its mission. Awards made from this solicitation may include certain regulations related to the protection of FCI and CUI and certain requirements for rapid reporting of cyber incidents.
Awardees 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” Rev 2 and requirements of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program. More information about the
CMMC Program, including definitions of FCI and CUI can be found at https://dowcio.war.gov/CMMC/About/.
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 https://dowcio.war.gov/CMMC/About/
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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.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil.
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 18, 2026. 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 information session. All
Unclassified inquiries should be sent via email to mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil. For higher than Unclassified, email mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil for further instruction.
White paper responses must be received by MDA no later than October 2, 2026 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” from the Offeror’s Library as described in Section V for white paper submission requirements.
B. Industry Engagement
MDA/AC will be hosting an in-person industry day with a 3-hour information session about this effort at the SECRET level. MDA/AC representatives for each of the technology areas of interest will be available for in-person 10-minute 1 on 1s at this event. This event is scheduled for September 9, 2026. Interested parties must RSVP for the event via email to mda.lowcostkv-wp@mail.mil no later than August 27, 2026. Only persons cleared by MDA to attend a SECRET level briefing will be allowed to attend. MDA will respond to those cleared persons with instructions for joining the event.
The Unclassified RSVP must contain:
▪ Company Name
▪ Company Mailing Address
▪ Company Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
▪ Full name and email address for all attendees mailto:
mailto:mda.lowcostbooster-wp@mail.mil
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▪ For 1 on 1 sessions: Primary and secondary technology area of interest (from Section V.)
and attendee name(s)
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.
D. Period of Performance
The total period of performance is 36 months. The period of performance for Phase I - Detailed
Design and Analysis is limited to twelve (12) months. The period of performance for Phase II -
Prototyping and Testing is limited to twelve (12) months. The period of performance for Phase
III – Final testing and manufacturing demonstration 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.
https://www.sam.gov/
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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:
• Description of objectives, including task outline and project plan
• Project schedule and ability for rapid prototype and/or demonstration
• Innovation and technical credibility
• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for each phase of development presents a cost that is reasonable for the work to be performed
• Unit cost for manufacturing production levels
• Proposed performance appropriate for proposed mission (i.e. interceptor program)
• Performance Specification Requirements
• Test infrastructure and access
• Test strategy
• Key personnel qualifications
• Offeror's team past experience (includes subcontractors if applicable)
• Facilities and infrastructure for security, design, and manufacturing
• Support of supply chain diversity
• Transition/integration potential
• Risk benefit analysis
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.
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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, a debrief will be provided to the requesting offeror. The debriefing content will summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed effort.
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