Request for Project Proposal SADE.pdf

DEVCOM SC-BOTAA 22-01 REQUEST FOR PROJECT PROPOSAL (RPP)

Area of Interest: Soldier Sustainment Directorate, Aerial Delivery Division Prototype: Sustainment Aerial Delivery Equipment -Sling Load (SADE-SL) Low-Cost Cargo Net

Agency: Department of the Army Office: Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground Natick Division Location: Natick, MA Program Office: Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PdM-FSS) RPP Number: W911QY-26-R-SADESL Date Issued: 12 March 2026 Proposals Due: 24 March 2026 NLT 1200 EDT

Objective

This competitive Request for Project Proposal (RPP) is issued to request formal competitive pre-proposals in the form of white papers in accordance with Section III, B, 1 of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement (BOTAA) 22-01 competitive announcement and is being issued for planning purposes to execute a formal agreement under 10 USC 4022(b), Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for the prototype project described below.. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to award an agreement, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited. Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS) is seeking information on the capabilities and willingness of private entities to develop a design for Low- Cost 5000-pound and 10,000-pound Helicopter Cargo Nets that will support a prototype project, as defined on page 5 of the BOTAA.

Background

The Government is looking for a low-cost replacement of the current 5000-pound and 10,000-pound Cargo Nets or components of the Cargo Net system. The DoD uses Cargo Nets as a means of transporting equipment around the battlefield faster than traditional ground transport and without the need for large fixed-wing transport aircraft.

Requirements

The purpose of this RPP is to request pre-proposals to conduct preliminary design for a Low-cost Cargo Net capability. The preliminary design may be based on reusing, modifying, or enhancing existing designs.

The pre-proposals shall address the full requirements of this RPP:

Develop a Low-Cost Cargo Net Prototype

• Must be able to support the suspended weight capability in the standard system categories of 5,000 and 10,000 pound capacity at a 35% (T) and 75% or more (O) reduction of individual item cost compared to the current nylon cargo nets (T= threshold/ minimum a requirement needs to meet to be acceptable. O=This refers to an objective or best-case value for a requirement)

• The SADE-SL shall not increase current sling-load rigging time by more than 25% (T) and should ideally reduce rigging time by 25% or more (O).

• SADE-SL shall allow for ease of rigging for future variants of payloads with minimal redesign, test and certification, as well as reduce impacts on the environment. The payload compartment must provide quick release latching mechanisms for efficient unloading

• SADE-SL shall be compatible with current Army rotary wing aircraft that include the UH- 60 and CH-47 (T) and compatible with other military and civilian rotary wing aircraft to include the CH-46, CH-53 and CV-22, Future Vertical Lift (FVL) medium and heavy lift aircraft

• SADE-SL shall be compatible to standard or recently developed sling load and airdrop components to the maximum extent possible

• The SADE-SL components shall be capable of operation and storage in all of the following climatic categories; Basic, Hot and Cold as current sling load and aerial delivery equipment/systems (T=O). Function in Basic, Hot and Cold conditions in accordance with MIL-STD-810G. These variables will be hot, basic, cold, ranges as low as -60o F (objective) to +145o F and high-altitude pressure standards characteristic of worldwide operations, as described in AR 70-38, dated 15 Sep 1979.

• It will operate within all terrain types (desert, mountain, jungle, and water/maritime), and during inclement weather, to include precipitation, air carrier Instrument Meteorological (IMC) conditions and maritime/salt fog conditions.

• As required by the Government, compliance may be verified at a Government approved facility in accordance with MIL-STD-810G, Method 500.4 (Low Pressure/High Altitude, and Rapid Decompression), Method 501.4 (High Temperature), Method 502.4 (Low Temperature), Method 505.5 (Solar Radiation – Sunshine Procedures 1,2), Method

506.4 (Rain Drip), Method 507.4 (Humidity), Method 508.4 (Fungus), Method 509.4 (Salt Fog), Method 510.4 (Blowing Dust), Method 510.4 (Blowing Sand), Method 511.4 (Explosive Atmosphere), Method 514.5 (UH-60, CH-47, C-130, C-17 and Loose Cargo Vibration).

• Capable of adaptation to other US forces for strategic, operational, and tactical military operations. Shall be designed to promote ease of operation and maintenance by the 5th percentile female through the 95th percentile male Soldier/Marine/Airman as described in MIL-STD-1472G while wearing the field duty uniform, cold weather uniform, and chemical protective uniform.

• Must demonstrate suitability in conditions where the user wears cold weather gloves.

The system shall be capable of being transported by highway, rail, marine, and air modes, world-wide. The applicable transportability criteria are set forth in MIL-STD- 1366E.

Full specifications and requirements are established in the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

Performance Objectives

Pre-proposals should be limited to three (3) pages and include a description of the relevant technology including supporting data, the scope of the proposed effort including a high-level Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and a description of the proposer’s research, development, manufacturing, past performance, or other special qualifications. The pre-proposal shall also include an anticipated cost for the efforts described in the pre-proposal. Pre-proposals shall be submitted to both of the following email address: Ethan Seal, Agreements Specialist at ethan.p.seal.civ@army.mil Sean Auld, Agreements Officer at sean.g.auld.civ@army.mil.

Brochures or other descriptions of general organizational or individual capabilities will not be accepted as a pre-proposal and will not be reviewed. All pre-proposals will be assigned an identification number, and an email will acknowledge receipt of a pre-proposal. Usually, the Project Manager of the submitting organization should receive a decision letter or email regarding the pre-proposal within 15-90 days of submission.

Vendor(s) that may ultimately receive a Request for Full Proposal (RFFP) shall provide supporting information within the full proposal on the following topics in addition to what is specified in DEVCOM SC BOTAA Section III, B, 2:

Project Management

Analysis of any opportunities and/or benefits associated with the vendor’s proposal that would reduce cost, schedule, and performance risks in Phase II.

Pricing

Firm fixed pricing for each deliverable, in the vendor’s own format/template along with any supporting documentation so that the Agreement Officer is able to make a fair and reasonable determination.

Substantiating information on costs for each deliverable.

Administration

Any questions regarding this Request for Project Proposal (RPP) shall be submitted via email to Ethan Seal, Agreements Specialist at ethan.p.seal.civ@army.mil and Sean Auld, Agreements Officer at sean.g.auld.civ@army.mil. The Government will retain comments and information received in response to this RPP. Proprietary information should be identified as such. Do not use Government security classification markings. All written responses must be received via email no later than the date and time specified herein with a confirmation email received in response to the submission. Responses should be sent by e-mail to the two points of contact above with the subject line of organization and Request for Project Proposal (RPP) title. Material that is advertisement only in nature is not desired. Respondents may review the DEVCOM SC BOTAA at https://sam.gov/opp/126eaf3a78d847f69b7c94b606877f92/view for additional areas of interest and/or pre-proposal submission instructions and representative POCs. All submissions must include a completed Non-Traditional Defense Contractor (NTDC) Certification, attached to posting.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in Proposal Evaluation

Use of AI tools in Support of Evaluations: The Government may employ AI as a tool to assist in the analysis and review of offeror proposals. AI tools may be used to support tasks such as mailto:ethan.p.seal.civ@army.mil mailto:sean.g.auld.civ@army.mil mailto:ethan.p.seal.civ@army.mil https://sam.gov/opp/126eaf3a78d847f69b7c94b606877f92/view summarizing proposal content, identifying compliance with request for task order proposal / solicitation requirements, and highlighting areas of potential strength, weakness, or risk.

Maintaining Inherently Governmental Functions: Notwithstanding the use of AI tools to support the evaluation process, all final evaluation judgements, including the assignment or assessment of adjectival ratings, best value determinations, and source selection decisions, will be made exclusively by duly appointed Government personnel. The Government retains sole responsibility for all inherently governmental functions and will not delegate decision making authority to any AI tool.

Offeror Confidentiality and Data Protection: The AI tools utilized by the Government will be employed in a manner consistent with applicable regulations that govern the protection of proprietary and source selection sensitive information. The AI tool will be an output-only system.

Any generated report data is not saved. No proposal data will be transmitted to or processed by external, non-Government systems without appropriate safeguards and authorizations in place.

Submittal Guidelines

Offerors shall submit proposals that are clear, concise, and readily readable. To ensure accurate analysis by automated evaluation tools and maintain the integrity of the source selection process, the following restrictions apply:

• Visible Text Only: All proposal content must be presented as visible text. The inclusion of any concealed text is strictly prohibited. Concealed text includes but is not limited to:

o Micro-text (text with a font size below 8pt);

o White text on a white background;

o Text utilizing colors that render it indistinguishable from the background;

o Text hidden within images or graphics.

• Font and Size: Proposals must adhere to the following font and size requirements:

• Font Family: Times New Roman, Font Size: 10

• Formatting Consistency: All text must apply uniform formatting throughout the proposal.

Variations in font size, color, or style that the Government deems manipulate or obscures the readability of content are prohibited.

Compliance Verification: The Government may conduct technical verification to ensure compliance with these requirements. Proposals found to contain concealed or manipulated text will be considered non-compliant and may be rejected.

Next Steps

1. Government Evaluation: The Government reviews the submitted pre-proposals against the requirements of the RPP and the evaluation criteria derived from the BOTAA.

2. Decision Notification: The submitting organization's Project Manager will receive an email acknowledging receipt. A formal decision notice (either an invitation to submit a full proposal or a non-selection letter) will be sent within 15-90 days.

3. Request for Full Proposal (RFFP): Successful vendors will receive an RFFP. This request will contain detailed instructions for the full proposal, including specific requirements for the technical, management, cost, and past performance sections.

4. Full Proposal Submission: The offeror prepares and submits the full proposal, typically within 15-30 days of receiving the RFFP.

5. Proposal Evaluation and Discussion: The Government evaluates the full proposal.

Discussions and negotiations between the Government and the offeror will occur as needed.

6. Agreement Award: Following a successful evaluation and negotiation, a warranted Agreements Officer will make an award. The award is dependent on the availability of funds.

Attachments

Attachment 0001 - SADE-SL Low-Cost Net Contract Statement of Work Attachment 0002 – List of CDRLS Attachment 0003 – Non-Traditional Defense Contractor (NTDC) Certification Form