SAM_RFI-Final 4.14.2025_Final.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

MDA25TCKRFI01

Organization: Missile Defense Agency Test and Targets Acquisition Name: Target Payload System

1. Disclaimer:

This Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Number MDA25TCKRFI01is issued for market research and planning purposes only in accordance with FAR Part 10, Market Research. This RFI is not a Request for Proposal, Fair Opportunity Proposal Request (FOPR), Invitation for Bid, or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. The purpose of this RFI is to collect and analyze respondent’s capabilities within the market. Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

Information submitted will be considered as an exchange of information and may be used as part of future solicitation. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. The Government will not pay for the information requested herein nor for any costs accumulated while responding to this RFI. This includes, but is not limited to, costs associated with attending any Industry Day activities, or for any other costs incurred by a participant who elect to provide information in response to this RFI.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) reserves the right to request follow-up information from RFI respondents, as needed, to clarify the information submitted. Information received from follow-up questions and presentations is considered part of the overall market research activity per FAR Part 10. Based on the level of interest and capability of industry to perform in these areas, the Government reserves the right to develop an acquisition strategy to pursue a solicitation. All acquisition approaches will be considered.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, RFI submissions will be encrypted and only accepted electronically. All submitted information will be handled accordingly as marked.

Respondent’s information/documents submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. The Respondent’s information/documents should be complete, informative, and clearly demonstrate competencies and expertise in executing the requirements. The information provided may be used in developing an acquisition strategy, a statement of work, statement of objectives, or performance work statement.

Any subsequent actions resulting from this RFI may be synopsized at a future date. If synopsized, information detailing the specific requirements of this procurement will be included.

Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be provided via appropriate means. The MDA prefers industry responses not constrained by proprietary information. However, if proprietary information is included in the reply, the respondent is responsible for appropriate markings. The Government will not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly marked or clearly identified. Proprietary information received in response to this RFI will be safeguarded and handled in accordance with applicable Government regulations. Be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Approved for Public Release 25-MDA-12084 (1 May 25)

The MDA Targets Program seeks information and capable sources to support the paradigm shift and rapidly produce and perform services related to Payload Systems to include all the items below:

Designing, developing, testing, producing, delivering and integrating flexible payloads with RV of multiple sizes, including ballistic, maneuvering, and hypersonic; including deploying multiple RVs from a single Payload System.

AOM (also known as Payload Deployment Module) capable of dispensing simple and sophisticated AOs of varies sizes at specific times and locations.

RV Section (ballistic, maneuvering, and hypersonic).

Integration support of the overall Payload System, to include all the Payload Sections shown in Figure 1 with the Launch Vehicle (LV).

Support of Flight Test Planning and Execution activities for the Payload System operation, to include pre/post mission trajectory development and analysis.

This RFI is intended to help the MDA make informed decisions and business case analyses to:

Understand the current marketplace and existing industry capabilities.

Obtain recommendations from industry on acquisition strategies to enable rapid design and manufacturing of flight hardware.

Identify the major technical and programmatic risks.

Determine industry data and information needs to support accelerated execution.

Obtain input from Payload providers regarding their ability to perform Pre- and Post-

Mission analysis as needed to support MDA flight test.

This effort should include, but is not limited to, associated Ground Support Equipment, target integration activities and facilities, and flight test execution activities across all Missile Defense System programs in support of requirements development and assessment activities. The Government prefers to receive UNCLASSIFIED responses but will accept CLASSIFIED responses if necessary. Please coordinate with the Points of Contact (POCs) below for CLASSIFIED transmittal.

3. Background:

The MDA is responsible for developing and fielding an integrated, layered Missile Defense System to protect the United States and its allies from a missile attack. The Missile Defense System is a layered approach, which includes sensors, kinetic energy systems, directed energy systems, battle management, and command and control elements that will engage threat missiles of all ranges and throughout the battlespace. The MDA’s efforts are focused on making the Missile Defense System more robust against the full spectrum of adversary systems, which continue to evolve, proliferate, and demonstrate increasingly complex capabilities.

The MDA Targets Program provides target vehicles in support of the MDA’s Flight Test program and is responsible for the design, development, procurement, production, and delivery of targets and countermeasures that provide threat-realistic test assets used for the Missile Defense System testing.

The intent for the Targets Payload capability is a paradigm shift to establish a viable list of providers that can deliver and support payload and integration on an array of LVs. By leveraging the growing industrial base, the MDA Targets Program intends to standardize its processes and procedures, aligning them with industry standards, allowing production and integration at reduced costs and increased frequencies in order to support the growing number of weapon system flight test requirements. With this RFI, the MDA Targets Program seeks input from traditional and non-traditional providers and subcontractors which might have advanced technologies and new ideas for Payload Subsystems to include attitude control systems, telemetry, flight computers, camera, flight termination, pre- and post-mission analysis, hit detection systems, etc., including potential for use of satellite systems.

4. RFI Response Requirements:

I. Company Information/Programmatic Response:

a) COMPANY PROFILE: Provide a profile of your company, including Company

Name, Point of Contact, Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers, Email Address, Unique Entity Identifier, Commercial and Government Entity Code and/or Tax ID Number, Facility Clearance Level, and applicable socio-economic business/company profile (e.g., Large/Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged, 8(a), 8(m) (both Woman Owned SB and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned SB), Tribally Owned entity, Alaskan Native Corporation, Hawaiian Owned Organization, Service Disabled Veteran Owned SB, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUB Zone) SB, other, etc.). If applicable, the prime business responding to this RFI must identify the teaming partners, business size(s), and business socio-economic category.

b) SIMILAR EXPERIENCE: If the respondent has similar experience or historical information available, the MDA requests a consolidated table of experience based on the requirement scope with the below information:

1) contract number(s)

2) title and objective of contract

3) contracting agency and point of contact information

4) scope, period of performance, and type of contract (e.g., fixed price, cost reimbursement, fee)

c) ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (OCI): What do you see as potential OCI issues? What would be the OCI mitigation strategy?

d) DATA RIGHTS: Will you assert any claims of limited or restricted rights for the

Government as part of your potential contract efforts (guided by Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements for types of technical data and computer software), such as contract data requirements lists, technical drawings, computer software, and hardware? If asserting limited rights, would your company sell the technical data package to the Government? If asserting restricted rights, would your company sell the computer software to the Government? DFARS defined categories of data rights are: 1) Unlimited Rights; 2) Government Purpose Rights; 3) Limited Rights (for Technical Data); 4) Restricted Rights (for Computer Software); and 5) Special License Rights.

e) SMALL BUSINESS:

Because one objective of this RFI is to determine the capability of small business to meet the requirements contained herein, and to inform the acquisition strategy with regard to setting aside any future acquisition for small businesses, the MDA requests the following information: The prime small business contractor responding to this RFI must include its past experience in managing subcontractors on similar requirements, and if applicable, include subcontractor or teaming partners’ past experience applicable to requirements specified in this RFI. Responsible small businesses planning teaming arrangements to meet the support requirements listed above are expected to articulate the portions of work that the prime small business intends to perform, as well as articulate the portions that subcontractors or teaming partners (if applicable) will perform. Responses must include business size and business socio-economic category of all subcontractors or teaming partners identified to perform work associated with the NAICS Code 332993 for this RFI.

f) UPFRONT INVESTMENTS: Summarize any expected new capital investment, upgrades / modifications and/or Government investments requirements.

II. Technical Capability: Technical responses should include an overall description of the proposed capabilities/solution and provide detailed technical information to allow for the Government’s understanding and assessment of the capability. The descriptions should include schedule information for delivery of products and services, including any technical rationale for providing value to the Government. Respondents should provide information on their ability to use existing assets and/or on their ability to procure, develop, construct, and/or maintain all necessary software, hardware, operational resources, and facilities needed to meet the requirements. Respondents should also describe other technical benefits of their proposed solutions in terms of their facility, support equipment, tools, knowledge, expertise, and other capabilities that enhance the technical solution or provide unique capability to test missile defense systems. The use of rapid prototyping, additive, hybrid and digital manufacturing, and agile systems engineering is highly encouraged. Technical Capability responses shall address some or all of the following, as applicable:

a) Describe your company’s technical solution and capabilities to rapidly develop and deliver ballistic, maneuvering, glide, and hypersonic RVs. Respondents are required to show/demonstrate/prove the ability to fabricate classified hardware for Missile Defense testing. Technical Requirements:

I. Order to delivery: 6 months (Objective); 12 months (Goal) II. Weight: 200 - 2000 lbs

III. Length: 8 - 16 ft IV. Maximum Width: 62 in V. Survive atmospheric re-entry to an altitude of 10 km

b) Describe your Payload System vehicle’s capability to interface with commercial and non-commercial launch vehicles assuming a common interface.

c) Describe your solution to support flight test execution. Include limitations on how many Payload Systems can be processed/executed concurrently and how much time is required between executing flight test events.

d) Describe production capability, capacity, maintainability and storage requirements.

e) Describe your approach and implementation for Autonomous Flight Safety System

(AFSS). Include the Payload System’s ability to incorporate a third-party AFSS, if applicable.

f) Describe your approach and implementation for determining and transmitting impact and kill assessment data (hit detection).

g) Describe your approach to verifying (qualification testing) the vehicle can operate through flight environments.

h) Describe your approach to Quality, Safety, and Mission Assurance.

i) End-to-end digital enterprise: Describe your integrated digital approach (engineering, formalized plans, methodologies, and accepted standards) that uses authoritative sources of systems’ data and models as a continuum across disciplines to support lifecycle activities from concept through disposal.

j) What is your approach, and technical capabilities, to develop Target Missile Models and Data as it relates in the following areas:

I. Computer Aided Design II. Kinematic/Trajectory (e.g., Hierarchal Data Format, Single Missile High

Resolution, 58 column) III. Radar Cross Section (RCS) (e.g., 3D Scattering Center Model, Augmented

Point Scattering Model, N-Point, Xpatch) IV. Infrared (IR) Hardbody (e.g., MiSsiLe RADiance, Optical Signatures Code, OPTIcal SIGnature In-line Generator) V. IR Plume (Spectral and Banded)

VI. Debris (separation, termination, etc.)

VII. Radio Frequency and IR Wake

VIII. Other Associated Objects

k) Provide an example of how your company develops common, consistent, and credible high fidelity missile threat products, including tailoring those products and formats to meet customer needs. Example products include, but are not limited to:

I. Range Safety Data Package II. High Fidelity Reference Scenarios, including raid

III. Monte Carlo Variations for Trajectories IV. Monte Carlo Variations for RCS Signatures V. Monte Carlo Variations for IR Signatures

l) Provide an example of how your company met an aggressive schedule and how it responded to rapid changes.

III. Cost Estimate: Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): As part of the evaluation process the MDA requires some basic cost estimates to assist in the development of the acquisition strategy. Respondents should provide an estimate to accomplish and execute the requirements as stated in this RFI. The ROM should highlight the initial capability, long lead-items, specialty items, materials, delivery, availability, and related costs in each area they can support. Cost estimates should be separated into non-recurring engineering (NRE) and recurring engineering categories to perform high-level requirements listed. Cost estimates should include ground rules and assumptions. Interested parties should address costs or Government furnished equipment requirements associated with, but not limited to, the following Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). When addressing technical requirements, respondents

1.5.5 Post-Mission Data Reduction, Analysis, & Delivery of Test Report

1.6 Range Support during Design/Test

1.7 Integrated Logistics Support

1.7.1 Integrated Logistics Support Plan

1.8 Quality, Safety and Mission Assurance

1.8.1 Quality Assurance Plan

1.8.2 Safety Plans

1.8.3 Reliability and Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) Plans

1.9 Configuration Management

1.9.1 Configuration Management Plan

1.10 LV, RV Integration, Missionization, and Test Execution

Plan

1.11 Cybersecurity

1.12 Facilities

1.13 Data

1.14 Requirements Change Engineering Studies

Detailed Description of Services (deliverables)

IV. Additional Instructions:

a) Responses to this RFI are due no later than June 23, 2025. Submit RFI responses via e-mail to TC-FutureAcquisitions@mda.mil. To help aid with developing responses and understanding of the Missile Defense System, please go to www.mda.mil.

b) Respondents and/or prospective offerors (if a solicitation is issued) and their subcontractors/ suppliers must be United States firms/businesses and not foreign owned, controlled, or influenced.

c) Responses shall be single-spaced, minimum 12-point, Times New Roman font, not more than 20 pages. ROMs are not included in the 20-page response limit but are limited to 2 pages.

d) Responses can include an optional example of a Range Safety Data package.

e) In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, RFI submissions will be encrypted and only accepted electronically.

Do not submit generic corporate marketing materials for this RFI.

5) Follow-up:

Based on the level of interest and the apparent capability of industry to perform in these areas, the Government reserves the right to develop an acquisition strategy to pursue a solicitation as a single contract or as multiple contract actions, if any.

The MDA may request follow-up information from RFI respondents as needed. Information received from follow-up questions and possibly one-on-one meetings/presentations are considered part of the overall market research activity and will be conducted IAW FAR Part 15.201.

6) Documents that Can Be Provided Upon Request and Clearance Validation:

1) Common Electrical Interface Control Document for Payloads and Launch Vehicles –

Unclassified

7) PRIMARY POCs:

1) Market Research Lead: TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil

2) Contracting Officer: TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil

3) Contract Specialist: TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil