Mobile Tactical Cannon RFI OPSEC-2025-179.pdf

DISTRIBUTION A. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited.

OPSEC #: OPSEC-2025-179

1. PROGRAM:

PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICE GROUND COMBAT SYSTEMS (PEO GCS);

PROJECT MANAGER SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZER SYSTEMS (PM SPHS);

PRODUCT MANAGER SELF PROPELLED HOWITZER – MODERNIZATION (PdM

SPH-M)

2. SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) on MOBILE TACTICAL CANNON

3. DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND:

The United States (US) Army remains committed to modernizing its field artillery formations through characterization and experimentation of mature and available, 155mm, self-propelled howitzer systems. Over the past 8 months, the US Army has been re-evaluating its objectives for modernization and adjusting those objectives to best support the new Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) strategy. Comprehensive analysis has confirmed the importance of 155mm self-propelled artillery system-of-systems to the Army. Consequently, the US Army is considering opportunities to rapidly conduct soldier experimentation. PdM SPH-M is issuing this RFI to leverage industry to assist in identifying these opportunities and shape our acquisition strategy.

The experimentation will likely involve temporarily issuing self-propelled howitzer systems to soldiers in a Transform in Contact (TiC) brigade. The scope and organization of a soldier experiment for self-propelled artillery is still being defined but, for the purposes of this RFI, the following assumptions are provided for industry’s consideration:

A. The US Army will pursue conditional safety releases for any system(s) used, allowing for early delivery of materiel followed by “spiraling in” functionality for soldiers. This will be accomplished using contractor-provided verification or safety data and augmented by abbreviated testing at a US Army test site.

B. The US Army will leverage contractor-based logistics for the duration of the experiment.

C. Limited ammunition combinations will be used in experimentation with a focus on use of US 155mm ammunition.

D. The US Army will pursue an experiment that allows the self-propelled howitzer to receive a digital fire message from a US Army Fire Direction Center at initiation of experimentation.

The US Army acknowledges that several RFIs and engagements have been issued under this topic in the past year. As we work to shape the future contract strategy, it is imperative that the US Army consider all capabilities and industry partners to obtain the best available and most affordable solution for the US Army. In doing so, it is appreciated that all responses include the most up to date information and that responses do not point to other responses provided under other efforts. Partial responses are welcome.

The following definitions are provided to clarify this RFI.

Term Definition

System

Any combination of materiel or technologies that support the self-propelled artillery mission. This may include vehicles, ammunition, sets/kits/tools, personnel, etc.

In Service

Equivalent to the US Army Initial Operational Capability (IOC). IOC Is when some units and/or organizations in the force structure scheduled to receive a system have received it and can employ and maintain it.

Ammunition Any projectile, propelling charge, fuze, or primer, or combinations thereof, designed for use in a tube artillery system.

Ammunition Handling System

Any subsystem or combination of subsystems which facilitates the transfer of ammunition from a stowed condition to a loaded, ready-to-fire condition in the self-propelled howitzer.

Cannon Assembly

The combination of the cannon tube, breech, and/or other mechanisms through which ammunition is triggered, resulting in a projectile leaving the self-propelled howitzer system.

Rearm

The term used to describe the transfer of ammunition from a resupply system to a self-propelled howitzer under combat or combat-like conditions. e.g. The M992A3 rearms the M109A7.

Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH)

A vehicle equipped with a cannon armament.

Fire Direction Center

(FDC)

The collection of personnel and materiel that provide technical and tactical fire direction for the entire battery.

4. RESPONSES

Electronic responses are required in searchable Microsoft Word 2016 (or later), Microsoft Excel 2016 (or later), or Adobe Acrobat formats. The maximum size of each e-mail message should be no more than ten (10) megabytes. You may use multiple e-mail messages. For proprietary or otherwise sensitive information, please request a DoD SAFE link by contacting adam.j.henry14.civ@army.mil and craig.w.sauer.mil@army.mil.

The subject line shall be “SPH-M Acceleration RFI Responses” and the vendor’s name.

It is not necessary to respond to this RFI to be eligible for future awards.

Responses shall be furnished to the United States Government (USG) no later than 1500 EST on the Response Date designated in the announcement on SAM.

Responses received after this time may not be considered. Do not submit responses via SAM. Please submit electronic responses to this survey, as well as questions for clarification to adam.j.henry14.civ@army.mil and craig.w.sauer.mil@army.mil.

Responses sought:

1. Respondent Overview

1.1. Company/Institute name

1.2. Address

1.3. Point of Contact

1.4. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code

1.5. Data Universal Numbering System Number

1.6. Phone Number

1.7. E-mail Address

1.8. Web page URL

1.9. Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 332994. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as:

1.9.1. Small Business (Yes/No)

1.9.2. Woman-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

1.9.3. Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes/No)

1.9.4. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)

1.9.5. HUBZone Certified (Yes/No)

1.9.6. Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

1.9.7. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes/No)

1.9.8. Central Contractor Registration (Yes/No)

2. System Information

2.1. Provide a summary of the system being described in your response, including the self-propelled howitzer, rearm vehicle/system, and any other elements necessary to operate and maintain the system.

2.1.1. What existing rearm systems (vehicles, payloads, etc.) can your organization currently offer the US Army? Please describe any options. Existing systems can include commercial items, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) items, or non-developmental items.

2.1.2. Does your organization have a concept or developmental rearm system?

Please describe any options.

3. Production

3.1. Is your system currently produced in the United States of America (USA)?

3.1.1. What is the current volume being produced of this system in the USA?

3.1.2. What percentage of the vehicle is produced and/or assembled in the USA?

3.1.3. Provide a summary of your current supply chain and current suppliers used in the USA, including a map of major supplier locations. Highlight major supplier locations outside of the USA.

3.2. If not currently produced in the USA, describe how you would onshore production of the proposed system to the USA, including barrel production. Identify current US manufacturing facilities and sources of supply.

3.2.1. What is the estimated timeframe and estimated cost to deliver a system manufactured in the USA?

3.3. Are there any impediments to producing candidate systems in the USA?

4. Ammunition

4.1. What US Army ammunition has been tested and/or qualified and confirmed to be safe and suitable, by any organization, for use in your self-propelled howitzer system? Provide evidence to support your claim. Include ammunition nomenclature by projectile, fuze, propellant, and primer as well as the charge ranges tested and/or qualified. Standard Agreement (STANAG) 4517 or 4224 can be referenced for general guidance to assess safety and suitability for service.

4.2. For your ammunition handling system (if applicable) and ammunition stowage, what are the current capacities by projectile, fuze, propellant, and primer and ammunition restrictions (length, weight, touch zones, etc.)?

5. Fire Direction / Fire Control

5.1. Is your SPH currently able to receive and process MIL-STD-6017 messages (“VMF”)? If yes, please summarize revision(s) supported and capability in terms of send/receive and usage.

5.2. Describe your preferred approach to integrating your system into the US Army Fires Network and estimate the time required to complete that integration. Assume this includes adoption of Government Furnished Radios, Position/Navigation/Timing, Mission Command, and fuze setting. Assume that your fire control will be replaced or modified to interface with the US Army Fire Direction Center via MIL-STD-6017.

5.3. Do you have ballistic kernel information available for US ammunition? If so, describe how your ballistic kernel is structured, how it computes ballistics, level of compliance with STANAG 4355, the features it accounts for, etc. and describe your willingness and process to share this technical information with the USG.

6. Materiel Availability

6.1. How much time would you require to deliver one USA produced self-propelled howitzer, one rearm capability, and necessary support personnel/materiel to a US Army test center to support safety testing, utilizing US ammunition? Staggered delivery of rearm capability may be acceptable. Assume this location is within the contiguous United States.

6.2. How much time would you require to deliver six USA produced self-propelled howitzers, six rearm capability, and necessary support personnel/materiel to a US Army base to support soldier experimentation, utilizing US ammunition? Assume this location is within the contiguous United States.

6.3. Would you be willing to allow the USG to use these vehicles, as outlined in 6.1 and 6.2, without taking title of the vehicles for the duration of the experiment?

6.3.1. What conditions, considerations, or restrictions would you suggest for such a service agreement where the contractor is expected to furnish the vehicle for the duration of the experiment, with an option for the USG to take title/purchase the vehicles after soldier experimentation is complete.

7. Vehicle Operation

7.1. Do you have operator manuals, maintainer manuals, and training materiel in English that could be used for soldier experimentation?

7.2. Do you have documentation (Safety Assessment Report, etc.) to substantiate that the proposed self-propelled howitzer, US ammunition, and rearm capability (if applicable) has an assessed safety rating in accordance with MIL-STD-882 or industry recognized equivalent?

5. DISCLAIMER

This RFI is for informational purposes only. The information in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the USG. This is not a solicitation for proposals and shall not be construed as a commitment by the USG to purchase enhancements, hardware, or services. Responses in any form are not considered offers and the USG is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. Funds are NOT available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary.

This notice does not constitute an Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a solicitation, and no award shall be made based on this notice. A negative response to this survey does not exclude any vendor from any future solicitation. There is no formal solicitation available at this time, no solicitation will be issued against this notice, and this request for information does not obligate the Government to issue solicitation.

Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no obligation incurred by the USG.

The USG will not reimburse contractors for any cost incurred for participation in responding to this RFI. All information is to be submitted at no cost or obligation to the

USG.

Since this is not a solicitation for proposals, respondents WILL NOT be notified regarding information obtained related to this RFI. Responses will not be returned nor will detailed feedback be made available.

Proprietary Information. The USG acknowledges its obligations under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and 18 United States Code (U.S.C.) §1905 to protect confidential information provided to the USG. Pursuant to this statute, the USG is willing to accept any trade secrets or proprietary restrictions placed upon data presented in response to this survey and to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure, subject to the following:

• Data must be clearly marked PROPRIETARY and be accompanied by an explanatory text so that the USG is clearly notified on what data is proprietary.

• Mark only data that is truly PROPRIETARY.

• Do not mark data that is already in the public domain or is already in possession of the USG or third parties on an unclassified basis. Do not submit any classified data in response to this market survey.

• Proprietary data transmitted electronically must have the PROPRIETARY legend on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail as well as at the beginning of the file.

Proprietary information contained within the correspondence shall use the legends:

“PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS” and “PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS.”

The USG is not responsible for the public disclosure of unmarked data received in response to this RFI. Accordingly, the respondent shall ensure that technical data provided in response to this RFI shall be appropriately marked (i.e. proprietary) to ensure proper USG handling of the data. Should the USG need to reproduce the protected data for distribution purposes between USG offices, all such data shall be reproduced with restrictive legends in place.