RFW-DOTAC-ARMY-2026-003_Attachment 1_ RFW BDE UAS.pdf

DoW DRONE OTA CONSORTIUM

REQUEST FOR WHITEPAPERS

Solicitation Number RFW-DOTAC-ARMY-2026-003

Title Brigade UAS Prototype Project

Requiring Activity Capability Program Executive for Aviation

(CPE-AVN)

Project Manager (PM): Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Issued By U.S. Army Contracting Command – Redstone Arsenal (ACC-RSA)

Request for Whitepaper/Solution Due Date

Initial Cut-off: 02 OCT 2026

Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (Prototype Other Transaction Authority)

Point of Contact for DoW Drone OT Consortium Application Submissions:

DMConsortium@army.mil

Point of Contact for White Paper Submissions:

BDE_UAS@army.mil

I. OPPORTUNITY OVERVIEW & FUNDING

• Objective: PM UAS seeks to identify innovative, off-the-shelf (OTS), Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) systems, sub-components, and software ready for rapid prototyping, operational assessment, and potential transition to production.

• Competition Pool: This solicitation is open to Pool 1 (Unrestricted / Full & Open), Pool 2 (Small Business), and Pool 3 (Non-Traditional Defense Contractors

(NDC)).

• Target Funding Threshold: Individual prototype awards are anticipated at or below $100,000,000.

• Key Takeaway for Offerors: Prioritize providing innovative, rapidly procurable, RSTA systems capable of supporting Brigade Combat Teams.

mailto:BDE_UAS@army.mil

II. OBJECTIVE & OPERATIONAL NEED

This effort seeks complete Group 3 UAS systems – including air vehicles, sensors/payloads, launchers, control systems, datalinks, mission planners, software, and training systems – to enable operational employment by Soldiers in tactical, GPS and Electronic Warfare contested environments.

Contracts to support operational assessments, iterative technology enhancements, or integration with Army systems may be issued from this Request for Whitepapers (RFW).

III. TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES & DESIRED ATTRIBUTES

Solutions must address one or more of the following capability areas:

• Threshold Capability: PM UAS seeks to immediately fill the gap for Brigade RSTA capability and then to iteratively militarize OTS systems to expand capability, resilience, and to meet Army mandates, policies, and requirements.

• Training Support: Digital training and simulation replicating full mission execution.

• Additional requirements will be listed in Attachment 2. Threshold requirements are mandatory for any vendor to successfully pass the initial white paper evaluation.

• Objective requirements (Attachment 3) illustrate the intended path of growth of capability the Army has prioritized. Meeting objective requirements will earn a higher score in the evaluation process.

IV. SUBMISSION & PHASED EVALUATION PROCESS

In accordance with Section 4.2 of the DoW Drone OTA Consortium Agreement, this competitive evaluation may be executed in a phased format:

• Phase I: White Paper (max five (5) pages)

• Phase II: Flight Demonstration (by invitation only)

• Phase III: Full Proposal (by invitation only, technical and cost)

Phase I: White Paper / Solution Brief Submission Requirements

• Page Limit: White papers must not exceed five (5) pages (11 pt Arial, single-spaced). The Cover Page does not count toward this limit.

• Required Content:

o Technical Concept: Detailed description of the system, including Unmanned

Aircraft (UA), control system, ground support equipment, datalinks, and required logistics and training support.

o Delivery Schedule, Production Readiness, & Scalability: Provide a month-by-month breakdown of production capacity over the next 12 months, specifying how soon delivery of first systems. This must include a clear description of baseline capabilities as they exist today, alongside an organic ramp-up timeline that explicitly details any projected production increases achievable with no additional funding.

o Demonstration History: Past performance data and reports from previous demonstrations/tests hosted by the United States Government, along with points of contact.

o Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost Estimate: Vendors are required to submit a high-level cost estimate for the entire lifecycle of the proposed solution. This estimate should also itemize costs for the following categories:

o Manufacturing: All costs related to the production of hardware and software components. Specifically, unit cost for each item, as well as the major subcomponents included in the unit cost.

o Testing Support: Costs associated with all required testing phases.

o Delivery: All logistical and shipping costs to the specified final destination.

o Personnel Support: Costs for any on-site or remote personnel, such as

Field Service Representatives (FSRs), required for testing, integration, or other support activities. Please specify the roles and responsibilities of these personnel within the estimate. Please provide ROM costs for both CONUS and OCONUS support through the end of FY28.

Submissions: RFW submissions shall be sent to the email address listed below and shall include the associated solicitation number in the subject line of the e-mail. If the respondent does not include the solicitation number in the subject line of the e-mail, the submission will NOT be reviewed. In the event where the paper is proprietary or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), a DoD Safe drop site will be provided. Any requests for more information or clarification should be submitted to the DMConsortium@army.mil email NLT 5 days after receipt of the RFW. Replies will be made within 48 hours after RFW is posted.

The USG will host Phase II (Flight Demonstration) in a CONUS, restricted airspace location and will provide spectrum allocation support. Vendors shall support the flight demonstration under their own liability and expense. All equipment and FSR support shall be representative of the system proposed in Phase I. All travel costs and expenses are at the vendors’ expense. Additional Phase II information (including on the evaluation) will be provided to those vendors who successfully pass all Phase I “GO” requirements and proceed to the second phase.

V. GOVERNMENT RIGHTS AND DISCLAIMERS

• The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards, a single award, or no award as a result of this RFW.

• Binding Authority: Only an Agreements Officer has the authority to enter, modify, or execute a binding instrument on behalf of the United States Government.

• Cancellation: The Government reserves the right to cancel this RFW, either before or after the closing date. If the RFW is canceled, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any proposal preparation costs.

VI. SUBMISSION MAINTENANCE POLICY

Offerors are responsible for maintaining a current, complete, and accurate submission package.

Throughout the open period of this RFW, offerors may submit revised documentation to correct inadvertent errors, update system specifications, or address feedback from the Government.

The formal acceptance of any updates into the official evaluation package, however, remains at the sole discretion of the Government. All evaluations will be based on the latest submission officially accepted by the Government at the time of review.

V. MANDATORY REGISTRATION & ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for an award under the DoW Drone OTA Consortium, vendors must meet the following criteria:

• Active Registration: Must have an active Unique Entity ID and be registered in the System for Award Management (https://sam.gov).

• Export Control Compliance: Must strictly comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations.

• Joint Certification Program: Must have an approved DD Form 2345

• Security Standards: Must comply with NIST SP 800-171 for the protection of

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• Billing Preparedness: Must be registered or prepared to register in the Wide Area

Work Flow invoice portal (https://wawf.eb.mil/).

• Non-Traditional Participation: If proposing as a traditional defense contractor, the offeror must identify their cost-sharing approach (per Section 5.3) or partner with a Non-Traditional Defense Contractor to fulfill statutory 10 U.S.C. § 4022 requirements.

VI. ADMINISTRATIVE & REGULATORY POLICIES

1. Data Rights and Intellectual Property

Per Section VI of the Consortium Agreement, the Government intends to negotiate data rights on a project-by-project basis. The Government’s baseline target is Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for newly developed prototypes.

2. The Electronic "Solution Basket"

White papers evaluated during Phase I that are deemed highly qualified but not selected for immediate funding (if available) may be placed in the Consortium's Electronic Solution Basket for up to three (3) years from the evaluation date. The Government reserves the right to pull these solutions from the basket and initiate a Phase III award if funding and requirements align.

If your proposal is selected for placement in the "Solution Basket" (held for future matching with Department of War funding opportunities), you should proactively submit updated or revised documentation. Keeping your package current ensures that your technical capabilities, pricing, and production readiness remain accurate and competitive when reviewed by the Government.

3. Advisory Role Disclosure

Offerors are notified that the Government Steering Committee utilizes Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance and Federally Funded Research and Development Center contractors as non-voting technical advisors. Submission of a Phase I white paper constitutes consent to share proprietary submission details with these authorized advisors under strict Non-Disclosure Agreements.

4. Project Documentation, Attachments, and Enclosures

Enclosure – Special Notice for BDE UAS Request for Whitepapers

Attachment 1 – Request for Whitepapers

Attachment 2 – System Characteristics and Requirements

Attachment 3 – Objective Requirements

Attachment 4 – Phase 1 Go / No-Go Evaluation Criteria

Attachment 5 – Reference Documents

Attachment 6 – Acronyms