RFI for Development and Integration of Armor System Solutions.pdf

UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE (USSS)

Request for Information (RFI)

Development and Integration of Armor System Solutions for a Transportation Vehicle and Non-Military Specialty Vehicles

Release Date: October 9, 2026

Contents

1.0 General Information

2.0 Contracting Office Address

3.0 Purpose

4.0 Description

5.0 Background

6.0 RFI Objectives and General Requirements

6.1 Objectives

6.2 General Requirements

7.0 Acquisition Strategy ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.

8.0 Inquiries

9.0 Responses

9.1 Response Format

9.2 Response Content

9.3 Response Deadline and Submission Location

10.0 Summary

1.0 General Information

Document Type: Request for Information Posted Date: 10/09/2026 Response Date: 01/08/2027

2.0 Contracting Office Address

Melissa Chabot Contract Specialist melissa.chabot@usss.dhs.gov

Jade Gaston Contracting Officer jade.gaston@usss.dhs.gov

Responses to the RFI are to be submitted electronically. See Paragraph 9.0, below.

3.0 Purpose

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is being conducted pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 15.201(e). No contract will be awarded from this announcement and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information submitted in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense.

This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or any obligation on the part of the Government. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S Government to form a binding contract. The USSS is not at this time seeking proposals, nor will it accept unsolicited proposals. The Government will utilize the information provided only to develop the acquisition strategy for a possible future requirement. Failure to respond to this requirement does not preclude participation in the anticipated RFP (if issued).

Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the SAM.gov site for additional information pertaining to this RFI.

4.0 Description

The United States Secret Service (USSS) is seeking information from industry partners regarding their capabilities to design new armor systems, modify existing armor designs using preselected materials, and integrate approved armored solutions for automotive transportation and non-military specialty vehicles. This RFI aims to identify potential vendors and technologies that can meet USSS requirements for enhanced vehicle protection. Respondents are requested to review and address the specific objectives outlined in Section 6.0 of this document.

5.0 Background

The United States Secret Service (USSS) is responsible for providing secure transportation for its protectees in a wide range of operating environments. To fulfill this mission, the USSS requires armored vehicles that meet rigorous safety and operational standards. As part of its ongoing commitment to excellence and preparedness, the USSS routinely conducts market research to identify industry partners with the capability to design new armor systems, modify existing designs with preselected materials, and integrate advanced armored systems into commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles and non-military specialty vehicles. The USSS seeks to collaborate with vendors who possess proven expertise in vehicle armoring and integration, ensuring that transportation solutions remain effective, reliable, and adaptable to evolving security requirements.

6.0 RFI Objectives and General Requirements

6.1 Objectives

The objective of this Request for Information (RFI) is to engage industry partners capable of:

Designing new armor systems for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) vehicles and non-military specialty vehicles, as designated by the Government.

Modifying existing armor designs using preselected materials provided or approved by the Government.

Integrating the approved armor system into designated vehicles, ensuring a fully functional and secure solution.

Upon approval of the armored system design and integration, the contractor will be required to provide comprehensive fabrication procedures and installation instructions to facilitate vehicle integration. All contractor personnel assigned to this effort who require access to classified information must possess SECRET personnel security clearances issued by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) at the time of contract performance.

The Government intends to maximize the use of COTS and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts, and the contractor will be responsible for providing all necessary OEM systems and other required materials through a supply chain that is capable of supporting sustainment throughout the anticipated production and lifecycle. Additionally, the contractor must be willing to provide a classified workspace for material selection and evaluation. At the culmination of the armor solution selection and development of procedures under the contract, the Government will assume all rights to the armor solution and associated procedures. The ultimate objective is for the Government to receive a fully integrated armor system.

Respondents may propose a timeline to complete the requirements within this period. The contractor is responsible for the design of new armor systems, modification of existing designs with preselected materials, and integration of armored systems into selected vehicles, resulting in a fully integrated solution that meets the Government’s requirements. All documentation, including fabrication procedures and installation instructions, must be provided to the Government upon approval of the design and integration approach.

6.2 General Requirements

The Contractor shall be responsible for designing new armor systems, modifying existing designs with preselected materials, and integrating an armor solution that meets government approval.

The solution must address all specified performance, safety, and integration criteria as outlined in the Non-Negotiable requirements.

Contractors are highly encouraged to provide a brief description of their capabilities that exceed the minimum requirements. This may include, but is not limited to, advanced design methodologies, innovative integration techniques, and any unique value-added services or technologies that enhance the overall effectiveness, reliability, or lifecycle support of the proposed solution.

Non-Negotiable Requirements:

Contractor must:

1. Identify Armor Materials

a. Provide details on armor materials with matured technology, validated performance across diverse environmental conditions, and a demonstrated lifecycle.

b. Include supplier information for sources with current availability for purchase.

c. Opaque armor solutions must have an expected lifecycle of at least ten years.

d. Transparent armor solutions must have an expected lifecycle of five years and be warrantied for at least two years.

2. Provide Armor Solution Samples

a. Bring proposed armor solutions from concept to sample stage for Government validation.

b. Validation testing must comply with applicable standards, including but not limited to DOD Mil-Specs, ASTM, UL, and NIJ.

c. Demonstrate existing knowledge of relevant standards.

d. Submit detailed test reports for all validation activities.

3. Commercial Vehicle Fabrication Capability

a. Be, or be partnered with, a commercial armored passenger vehicle fabricator.

b. Ensure proposed armor solutions can be securely, safely, effectively, and economically integrated into commercial vehicle platforms and non-military specialty vehicles.

4. Provide Fabrication and Installation Procedures

a. Supply the Government with armor system fabrication procedures and installation methods for a specified vehicle.

b. The specified vehicle will be, or similar to, a commercially available Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

c. The standard armor integration process involves complete removal of the vehicle’s interior, exposing structural components while leaving the outer skin intact; this is acceptable.

d. If alternative armor approaches are proposed, justify advantages in terms of increased protection, ease of installation, reduced cost, and/or decreased fabrication time.

5. Security Clearance

a. Have, or be willing to obtain, facilities and personnel approved by DCSA for classified activity up to the SECRET level.

6. Transfer of Usage Rights

a. At contract completion, transfer to the Government full usage rights for all armor systems and procedures developed under the contract.

7. Vehicle Supply History

a. Provide a written list of commercial off-the-shelf and non-military specialty vehicles previously supplied.

7.0 Acquisition Strategy

A contract is not being solicited nor awarded from this announcement.

8.0 Inquiries

All questions regarding this RFI must be submitted, in writing via email to melissa.chabot@usss.dhs.gov and Jade Gaston at jade.gaston@usss.dhs.gov. Questions will be addressed within a reasonable amount of time, generally no more than 48 hours after receipt.

9.0 Responses

9.1 Response Format

***ALL RESPONSES ARE TO BE UNCLASSIFIED. DO NOT PROVIDE CLASSIFIED

INFORMATION IN A RESPONSE TO THIS RFI.***

Vendor responses should not exceed thirty (30) pages and shall be submitted in a PDF file type.

The format for the RFI responses is described below:

The Cover Page shall contain:

(1) Company name, address, and primary point-of-contact information for questions on submittal.

(2) A brief description of your company.

(3) Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number

(4) Contact information (telephone, e-mail, website address)

(5) Cage Code.

(6) Primary NAICS Code.

(7) Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) Contract Number or DHS Strategic Sourcing Vehicle

Contract Number, if applicable.

(8) If designated as a small business, please provide more information below:

To be considered for a Small Business set-aside, at least 50 % of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the responder.

RESPONSE

Small Business? (FAR 19.102) □ YES □ NO

Small Disadvantaged small business? (FAR 19.304)

□ YES □ NO

Service Disabled small business? (FAR 19.14) □ YES □ NO

8(a) small disadvantaged small business? (FAR 19.8) □ YES □ NO

HUBZone small business? (FAR 19.13) □ YES □ NO

Woman-Owned Small Business? (FAR 19.15) □ YES □ NO

Involved in a mentor and/or protégé program? □ YES □ NO

9.2 Response Content

1. Introduction: Provide a brief description of existing capability to perform the requirements or provide proposed Statement of Requirement (SOR) language for the services and/or any proposed solution. In the event your company chooses to provide information subject to inclusion in a future RFP SOR, clearly identify those portions and provide any appropriate authorizations for release of that portion of information within any subsequent RFP SOR issued by the USSS, exclusive of any proprietary markings.

2. Technical Capability: The respondent’s technical ability shall describe the services and/or any product solution(s) or dataset for the areas described in Paragraph 6.0 of this RFI. To help the Government with its gathering of market research, the responses should include an overall description of the proposed services and/or any product solution(s) and provide technical data and a demonstrated ability for those areas identified. The descriptions should include lead time/schedule information for delivery of services and/or product(s). Interested parties should provide information on their ability to use existing assets if available, and they should discuss their ability to procure, customize/configure, maintain, and/or provide technical support for the resources needed to provide the proposed services and/or product(s). Interested parties should also describe potential technical benefits of their proposed services and/or product solution(s) in terms of existing technologies or resources within industry, and they should address potential improvements/enhancements/cost efficiencies of specific approaches. Interested parties should provide any other relevant supporting documentation demonstrating capabilities.

Proprietary information and/or trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly.

9.3 Response Deadline and Submission Location

Responses to this RFI must be received no later than 1/08/2027 at 12:00 PM Eastern and must be emailed to melissa.chabot@usss.dhs.gov and jade.gaston@usss.dhs.gov.

10.0 Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide, or are willing to develop, suitable base vehicles for armoring. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.