MDA26DCSRFI01_20260212.docx

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY

Space Capabilities (MDA/DCS)

Event-Based Sensing (EBS) Applications for Missile Defense – Request for Information (RFI)

MDA/DCS RFI #: MDA26DCSRFI01

NAICS Code: 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Date Posted: February 12, 2026

Response Date: March 13, 2026

Agency/Office Missile Defense Agency Space Capabilities (MDA/DCS)

RFI #: MDA26DCSRFI01

Date Posted February 12, 2026

Title Event-Based Sensing (EBS) Applications for Missile Defense – Request for Information (RFI)

NAICS Code 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Response Date March 13, 2026

MDA Point of Contact Point of Contact (POC): EBS Program Office Contracting Officer Email: mda.ebs@mail.mil

Description The MDA’s mission is to develop, deploy, and sustain layered and integrated missile defense capabilities as part of a comprehensive missile defeat approach to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight. To learn more about the MDA, visit: https://www.mda.mil/.

The MDA, in support of Next-Generation Missile Defense, is seeking information to determine the availability and technical capability to provide ground, airborne, and/or space-based capabilities, including processing/computing, leveraging event-based sensors (also known as dynamic vision sensors or neuromorphic sensors) for missile defense applications. An event-based sensor is a digital imaging device that responds to changes in the scene rather than capturing images at fixed intervals. This asynchronous operation allows for high temporal resolution and minimizes motion blur, making them ideal for high-speed, low-latency, and low-power applications.

Potential missile defense mission applications of interest include, but are not limited to, those provided in Section 8.3.

To address the evolving challenges of modern missile threats, Next-Generation Missile Defense systems require innovative sensing technologies to improve detection and tracking capabilities. Three EBS mission application areas—Track, Engage, and Assess—are critically important because they represent the fundamentals of a successful missile defense system engagement.

Track: Next-Generation Missile Defense systems are leveraging advanced sensors and data fusion to track increasingly sophisticated threats, including hypersonic and maneuverable missiles, earlier and with greater precision.

Engage: Next-Generation Missile Defense systems employ kinetic and non-kinetic weapons with enhanced speed, accuracy, and on-board sensor capabilities to intercept and destroy incoming missiles throughout various phases of flight.

Assess: Next-Generation Missile Defense capabilities incorporate real-time battle damage assessment technologies, utilizing advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to rapidly determine intercept effectiveness and inform subsequent engagement decisions.

This RFI is also intended to help MDA make informed acquisition decisions by:

Assessing the current marketplace inclusive of small business and/or nontraditional defense contractor (NDC) capabilities.

Obtaining recommendations on rapid acquisition strategies and contractual approaches.

This RFI is part of the overall market intelligence activity to collect, organize, maintain, analyze, and present data related to EBS Next-Generation Missile Defense applications. MDA will use this information to assess the current state of technology and capabilities. MDA reserves the right to request follow-up information from respondents, as needed. Information received from follow-up questions and presentations is considered part of the overall market intelligence activity.

This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a request for a proposal or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. The RFI respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the respondent’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future request for proposal, if any is issued.

Requested Information Organization Information: Provide organization name, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, facility clearances level, mailing address, phone number, and name and email address of designated POC(s).

Industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), national/federal labs, and academia are welcome to respond.

Organization Type: One objective of this RFI is to determine the capability of NDCs, nonprofit research institutions, and/or small businesses to satisfy potential requirements and inform an acquisition strategy. Please provide organizational type and status.

Note: NDC and nonprofit research institution are referred to pursuant to the context of the Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects, 10 U.S.C § 4022.

NDC – In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 3014, NDC means an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources by the Department of Defense for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section.

Nonprofit research institution – A research institution dedicates itself to research and development, aiming to produce new knowledge and expand understanding. A nonprofit research institution combines these characteristics with a nonprofit structure, meaning it is organized for scientific or educational purposes, with no profits benefiting private shareholders or individuals, and it holds I.R.C § 501(c)(3) status, making it exempt from certain taxes under the Internal Revenue Code. Nonprofit research institutions may include FFRDCs and UARCs.

Small business – A small-business concern as defined in the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. § 632 is an organization which is independently owned and operated, and which is not dominant in its field of operation. The small business size standard for NAICS Code 541715 is 1,000 employees.

Acquisition: Respondents may provide recommendations on rapid acquisition strategies and contractual approaches including rationale.

Technical Responses: Respondents should describe their knowledge, experience, capabilities, applicable technology readiness level (TRL), and space demonstration readiness concerning the missile defense space applications of EBS listed below.

TRL – A systematic metric/measurement system that supports assessments of the maturity of a particular technology and the consistent comparison of maturity between different types of technology. For additional information, see the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Technology Readiness Assessment Guidebook and/or visit: https://www.cto.mil/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/TRA-Guide-Feb2025-Cleared.pdf.

Space Demonstration Readiness – Respondents should identify their ability and high-level concepts to rapidly conduct an on-orbit demonstration in support of one or more of the mission areas.

Capabilities could include ground, airborne, and/or near space applications but should show path to space-based applications.

1. Tracking, typing, and/or discrimination for ballistic missile boost, post-boost, and midcourse phases, and/or hypersonic glide phases.

Endo-atmospheric terminal interceptor seeker guidance, to include counter-hypersonic glide vehicle.

Exo-atmospheric terminal interceptor seeker guidance, to include discrimination.

Assessment of kinetic and non-kinetic intercepts.

Integrated Air and Missile Defense applications, to include drones, cruise missiles, aircraft, etc.

Processing/computing hardware, to include neuromorphic processing.

Algorithms and software development, to include artificial intelligence/machine learning.

Data architecture/generation (sensor-to-ground).

Other missile defense applications, to include support to battlefield assessment and technical intelligence.

Instructions Information requested in Section 8.1 through 8.2 is limited to two pages total. Responses requested in Section 8.3 are limited to five pages per section (i.e., TRL, Space Demonstration Readiness, and items a–i) for a maximum of 55 pages total. Respondents are not required to respond to all items in Section 8.3 a-i. Documents must be submitted using Microsoft Office products. Page limits include diagrams and/or graphics.

Interested respondents are requested to provide a relevant and comprehensive response to the requested information. Business development or general capability statements will not be considered by the MDA team.

Proprietary information MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED.

Secure Unclassified submissions:

Responses at the unclassified level for this RFI must be submitted via secure means through the Department of Defense (DoD) Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) at: https://safe.apps.mil/. Once inside the DoD SAFE web application, unclassified responses, including up to CUI, can be uploaded and directed to mda.ebs@mail.mil.

Make sure responses follow marking guidance provided in DoDI 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): https://www.dodcui.mil/Portals/109/Documents/Policy%20Docs/DoDI%205200.48%20CUI.pdf.

Respondents should also send a “tipper” email to mda.ebs@mail.mil once files have been sent via DoD SAFE to ensure the submission is being tracked by the MDA team. Be sure to include any passwords necessary to access encrypted files.

DoD SAFE enables users to send large file(s) up to 8 GB.

DoD SAFE is approved for files up to Impact Level 5 (IL5), which includes CUI, personally identifiable information (PII), and protected health information (PHI).

DoD SAFE users must encrypt IL5, CUI, PII, and PHI files by checking the Encrypt Every File checkbox on the Drop-Off page or properly encrypting the files prior to creating the Drop-Off.

To view the DoD SAFE User Guide, visit: https://safe.apps.mil/help/dod-safe-help.html#encrypt-files.

For non-Common Access Card (CAC) users: Respondents that do not have a CAC can still access and use the DoD SAFE system if they coordinate a response request with an authenticated user (i.e., a CAC holder). Email mda.ebs@mail.mil to coordinate a response request with the MDA team.

SECRET collateral submissions:

If the respondent has access to the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet):

Email SECRET collateral responses to: mda.ebs@mda.smil.mil.

Make sure responses follow marking guidance provided in DoDM 5200.01, Volume 2, DoD Information Security Program: Marking of Classified Information: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/520001m_vol2.pdf.

Respondents should send a “tipper” email to mda.ebs@mail.mil once files have been sent to ensure the submission is being tracked by the MDA team.

If the respondent does NOT have access to SIPRNet:

SECRET collateral-level responses shall be physically printed and shipped using the instructions below.

Make sure responses follow marking guidance provided in DoDM 5200.01, Volume 2, DoD Information Security Program: Marking of Classified Information: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodm/520001m_vol2.pdf.

Documents MUST be protected with the use of cover sheets, cover letters, opaque paper or cardboard. They cannot be placed inside the inner envelope or container without this additional step.

Classified packages MUST be triple-wrapped with corners sealed in brown paper tape.

The inner wrapping MUST be stamped with the same classification level as the document/items (including all handling caveats or special markings).

The second layer MUST be addressed to the recipient using MDA’s classified mailing addresses. The sender’s name, telephone number, and return address must be included. Do not stamp this layer with any classification markings.

The outer wrapping (envelope or container) does not contain classification markings.

Shipping address:

Outer wrapper: MDA/DCS MDIOC, Attn: EBS Program Office, 730 Irwin Ave, Room 105, Schriever SFB, CO 80912 Inner wrapper: MDA/DCS, Attn: EBS Program Office, 730 Irwin Ave, Room 105, Schriever SFB, CO 80912 For questions regarding response submissions at or above the SECRET collateral level not covered by the information above, please reach out to: mda.ebs@mail.mil.

Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. To review RFI responses, PROPRIETARY information may be given to FFRDC/UARC and/or Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors working for the Government. Non-government support contractors listed below, who do not respond to the RFI, may be involved in the review of any responses submitted. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

The Aerospace Corporation (FFRDC) MITRE Corporation (FFRDC) Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Labs (FFRDC) Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (UARC) Space Dynamics Laboratory (UARC) Tanist Technologies (SETA) nTSI (nou Systems and Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) joint venture) (SETA)

MTSI (SETA)

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