Responses to RFI Questions_Posted 07AUG26.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

Date Question Answer

Date Posted to SAM

29-Jul

I am hoping to find out if the subject effort is a new requirement or a follow-on to an existing contract? If the latter, can I please find out the incumbent contractor's name and contract number?

This is a new requirement.

29-Jul Is CUI acceptable as long as it's marked and transmitted properly?

CUI is acceptable. Please contact the POC(s) for the RFI for instructions regarding submitting documents marked CUI.

29-Jul

Please provide any information deemed appropriate to share regarding the Modular APS Framework (MAF) v2.2; rationale is to determine associated architecture, interfaces, graphical user interfaces, common operating picture, interoperability with other vehicles, fire control, inventory control, and other design features that exist and/or can be interfaced with.

MAF 2.2 documentation is currently in a pre-release state and is anticipated for full release in the late August / early September 2026 timeframe.

29-Jul

To the extent possible, can you provide any details regarding test description, instrumentation, and/or matrix/vignettes for both 2027 and 2028 shoot-offs (if different); rationale is to better understand the test environment, surrogate platform or hardstand, standoff intercept distances, initial threat target ranges, etc.

At this time, there is limited information available for the shoot-off events. However, they will consist of a variety of stationary and on-the-move live fire tests.

29-Jul

Please provide any information deemed appropriate to share regarding the Vehicle Protection System (VPS) Base Kit (VBK);

rationale is to determine if portions of our system can be integrated as SRUs/LRUs.

VPS intent is to reduce SWAP as much as possible. LRUs that perform central processing, sensor processing, fire control processing type tasks may be considered for integration within the VBK itself. Other LRUs can and should be integrated with the VBK where the VBK serves as the central node of communication across all system LRUs.

Hard Kill APS RFI Questions

Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. OPSEC #2026-425

29-Jul

Addressing the last bullet Key System Requirement (a) is there a desire to have human-in-the-loop interaction between the crew and the APS system for threats that afford sufficient reaction time; (b) is there a desire, and/or can the VBK determine or control how to address simultaneous threats; (c) is there a desire, and/or can the VBK determine or control fire patterns for swarming UAS threats; (d) is there a desire, and/or can the VBK perform inventory control, determine munition ready status, and/or provide data and power to the munition pre-launch.

a) Vendors may present this as an option if they can demonstrate sufficient reaction time exists.

b) Vendor system should meet the KSRs articulated in the RFI.

c) Vendor system should meet the KSRs articulated in the RFI.

d) Vendor system should meet the KSRs articulated in the RFI.

29-Jul

It is a requirement that the on/board sensors interface directly with and through the VBK, or can they be allowed to interface with a controller which in turn will interface with the VBK – in other words, is it a requirement that the VBK be the main interface and control through which the APS functions.

Applicable KSRs are articulated in the RFI.

4-Aug

Please confirm the preferred response format for this RFI, including whether the Government prefers a narrative white paper, question-by-question response, slide format, or another structure.

Please respond to the RFI in a question-by-question format. If you wish to provide additional information, please provide it in a separate document using your preferred format.

4-Aug

Please confirm whether there is a page limit, font requirement, or attachment size limit for the submission package, excluding supporting technical appendices. No information was provided in the RFI.

There is no page limit or font requirement. Please contact the POC(s) for the RFI for instructions regarding submitting documents that are too large to email.

4-Aug

Please confirm whether multiple attachments are acceptable and identify any preferred file formats for the response package.

Multiple attachments are acceptable and .pdf or .docx formats are preferred.

4-Aug

Please confirm whether the Government will accept responses from complete system providers, subsystem providers, and prospective teammates, or whether responses are sought only from vendors offering an end-to-end Hard Kill APS solution.

The Government will accept responses from complete system vendors, as well as subsystem providers. Vendors should indicate in response to question 1 whether they are developing or currently have a complete system or subsystem components. Vendors should further indicate in response to question 1.b. whether they're interested in being provided with contact information of other subsystem vendors in order to team together to develop a complete system.

4-Aug

If subsystem or team-based responses are acceptable, please clarify the expected level of detail for RFI elements that may be outside the respondent’s direct scope.

Vendors should respond with an appropriate level of detail and to the best of their abilities regarding subsystems they're primarily familiar with, and further indicate any desire or willingness to team with complimentary subsystem vendors.

4-Aug

Please clarify whether the references to end of March 2027 and end of March 2028 are intended to represent shoot-off event timing, delivery readiness timing, or full satisfaction of required performance and qualification criteria.

The references to March 2027 and March 2028 are intended to represent the delivery dates of a full Hard Kill APS that meets all performance and environmental requirements.

The Government plans to begin testing shortly thereafter.

4-Aug

Please clarify whether the Government anticipates a single competitive shoot-off event or a phased evaluation process that may include technical reviews, integration assessments, and/or prerequisite demonstrations.

The intent of the RFI is to gather information regarding the potential evaluation of a system in a live fire exercise.

4-Aug

Please clarify if the Government can supply prospective vendors the evaluation criteria for success at the shoot-off if not for this RFI, ASAP if identified as a solution the Government is interested in participating.

This RFI is for information gathering purposes only and any criteria related to a future effort will be provided if/when the Government decides to pursue that effort.

4-Aug

Please clarify if the Government intends to use a surrogate or real platform for the live-fire testing and if a surrogate, will that be GFE or will the vendor need to design and produce specific to their kit.

Vendors should assume that any test assets (other than the vendor system and countermeasures themselves) will be GFE for the test. It should be expected that both stationary and on-the-move live fire testing will be conducted. For test prep, the vendor will need to work with the Government for "bolting on" a system to conduct testing.

4-Aug

Please clarify the intended interpretation of the requirement that the APS generate threat reports and initiate defeat sequences solely through sensors directly connected to the Program of Record VPS Base Kit.

Vendors should assume their system configuration will be evaluated against the KSRs articulated in the RFI.

4-Aug

Please clarify whether the Government expects full PdM VPS MAF 2.2 compliance at the time of a competitive shoot-off, or whether partial compliance with a defined path to full compliance would still be considered informative for this RFI since MAF2.2 is currently in DRAFT.

Full compliance is desired. If full compliance is not achievable, vendors should provide a roadmap towards full compliance in the RFI.

Please clarify whether compliance with ATPD-2404 and ATPD- 2407 is expected to be fully demonstrated at the time of the competitive shoot-off, or whether the Government is seeking current compliance status and qualification approach for this

RFI.

Compliance with these requirements is expected by the requested dates defined in the

RFI.

4-Aug

Please confirm whether the requested pricing at quantities 29, 58, 87, 110, 220, and 500 is intended to reflect recurring production unit cost for a complete APS system, exclusive of munitions unless otherwise noted.

Please assume that these quantities are for a single purchase order, not recurring.

4-Aug

Please confirm whether the requested munition pricing at quantities 100, 350, and 2000 may be provided on a clearly defined respondent-selected basis, such as per round, per interceptor, or per module.

Please provide munition pricing in terms of individual hardware units (per round/per interceptor) in quantities of 100, 350, and 2000. Please provide your definition for round/interceptor.

4-Aug

Please clarify whether the Government is seeking only system and munition procurement pricing in this RFI, or whether respondents should also provide non-recurring engineering, integration, training, support equipment, or sustainment pricing if available.

Vendors should respond to question 2, particularly h, and I, and articulate any funding shortfalls. Note that the expectation is that vendors will utilize IRAD to close at least some of the gaps for NRE, integration, etc.

4-Aug

Please clarify whether the Government’s references to software access, source code, SDKs, APIs, and Government Purpose Rights are intended as market research questions for this RFI or as indicators of a minimum expected future rights posture.

These are RFI questions intended to gather information.

4-Aug

Please clarify whether the requirement that hardware, software, and firmware be produced in the United States or sourced from a FVEY nation with final assembly in the United States is intended as a threshold participation condition or as a discriminator for market research purposes.

The requirement is both a participation condition, as well as discriminator for market research.

4-Aug

What is meant in question 2 by ‘delivering a system?’

Would this delivery be for the ‘Shoot-Out’, or for something else like the integration effort mentioned, a separate qualification, env testing, etc…?

Delivery of a system is intended to capture the physical hardware delivery of a complete Hard Kill APS, which may be used for a number of tests. However, the primary usage would be evaulation through live-fire testing.

Pertaining to question 2, is delivery of shoot-out test data acceptable in lieu of the physical hardware of the system?

No, delivery of a full Hard Kill APS with operational hardware, software, and firmware is required for the Government to conduct evaluation.

4-Aug

Pertaining to question 2, is the statement ‘fully mature’ meant to signify TRL 8+? Or are there other/additional requirements?

Yes, fully mature is meant to signify TRL 8+.

4-Aug

Can the Army provide definitions of TRL & MRL? We are currently making self-assessments of these levels per definitions provided under our previous Army contract, which may not be current or as intended.

DoW TRL and MRL definitions can be found here:

https://at.dod.mil/Portals/129/Atch%202_MRL_TRL_Definitions.pdf

4-Aug When is anticipated ATP for the follow-on production? Acceptance Test Procedures have not been defined at this time.

4-Aug

Please describe the anticipated funding to support the shoot-out and subsequent integration contracts (e.g., funding, quantity, delivery timeline, plans for spiral upgrades)? What type of contract would be used for each?

This RFI is intended to help the Government inform the answers to these questions.

4-Aug What measures of merit will be used to select the winner of the shoot-out?

It's possible that a variety of metrics will be used, with the KSRs describing a majorty of them. However, the specific measures of merit are not available at this time.

4-Aug Does the Government intend to include Kinetic Energy (KE) threats in the shoot-out? Specifics on the test procedures are not being shared at this time.

4-Aug

How many counter-munitions are anticipated to perform the shoot-out? Is there a test matrix identifying threats and quantities (including spares and ‘repeat’ runs)?

Specifics on the test procedures are not being shared at this time.

4-Aug What is the appropriate base year to use for System and Munition pricing? Please assume FY27 or FY28.

4-Aug

Are the System and Munition costs requested by the RFI to be provided as Average Manufacturing Unit Costs (Note: AMUC is defined as total production cost divided by number of Units)?

Yes, please provide your costs in AMUC format. If you do not provide your responses in this format, please specify the format.