IBMS Area of Interest.docx

Area of Interest (AoI): Infantry Battalion Mortar System (IBMS)

Objective: Obtain innovative and mature commercial solutions capable of rapidly delivering a production-representative, integrated Mobility System for the IBMS.

1. Background Product Director Crew Served Weapons is operating under an accelerated schedule to rapidly deliver a highly mobile 81mm mortar capability and its associated munitions (with range and lethality matching or exceeding the current 120mm mortar). The primary objective of this effort is to evaluate the integration, safety, operational utility, and manufacturability of a mature Mobility Capsule. The Mobility Capsule shall be integrated on the Infantry Squad Vehicle – Utility (ISV-U) and be compatible with the XM924 enhanced 81mm (E81) mortar weapon, M32A2 Lightweight Handheld Mortar Ballistics Computer (LHMBC), Power Battery System (PBS), Weapon Pointing Device (WPD), and legacy and E81 ammunition.

The mature Mobility Capsule shall automate the physically demanding and time-consuming tasks of mortar operation, thereby maximizing survivability through rapid emplacement, gun laying, rapid fire, and displacement. The Mobility Capsule shall include stowage for ammunition and items for maintenance and troubleshooting.

2. Key Technical Goals & Prototype Scope Selected vendor(s) shall be responsible for integrating their Mobility Capsule with the XM924 weapon, ammunition racks, M32A2 LHMBC, PBS, and WPD onto the ISV-U. Vendors shall be responsible for all mechanical, electrical, and software integration to include mounting hardware.

· Deliverables: Awarded vendors shall deliver two (2) production-representative prototypes within six (6) months of award.

· Production-Representative Systems: Production-representative prototypes shall allow for an accurate assessment of manufacturability and operational durability.

· Structural & Shock Integrity: The prototypes shall be capable of withstanding the firing shock profile of the E81 rounds, which feature an increased shock profile compared to legacy 81mm mortar ammunition.

· Specification Compliance: Prototypes will be evaluated against ‘Selection Criteria and Test Verification Method’. All Performance, environmental, and physical constraints detailed in the document "ARMMS - Performance Specifications" apply for eventual production systems.

· Government Furnished Equipment (GFE): To facilitate integration, the USG will provide the following GFE to awarded vendors within three (3) months of contract award:

· XM924

· M32A2 LHMBC

· WPD

· PBS

· Infantry Squad Vehicle - Utility (ISV-U)

· Ammunition Racks can use the USG design, a modified USG design, or a contractor design. The racks shall be manufactured by the contractor.

· Government provided documentation:

(U) E81 Hot Pressure vs Time TRN 776

(U) ISV-U CAD File

(U) Selection Criteria and Test Verification Method

*Above documentation is in a draft state

3. Evaluation The USG will utilize a multi-phased evaluation process to identify the best solution(s) for the IBMS program:

· Phase 1: The USG will make award to one or more qualified vendors for delivery of two production-representative prototypes each. Prototypes shall be delivered within 6 months of award and will be used for a USG live-fire event. The event will be USG-led with contractors providing Field Service Representative (FSR) support. All delivered prototypes will be evaluated against USG screening criteria in the (U) Selection Criteria and Test Verification Method.

· Phase 2: Follow-on testing. Following the live-fire event, the USG will conduct a comprehensive technical evaluation that may result in one or more vendors moving forward into a limited Product Qualification Test (PQT) in preparation for production.

The USG reserves the right to conduct 1 on 1 discussions and regularly recurring meetings with all awarded vendors during each phase of the effort.

4. Programmatic Pathway & Future Transition

· Transition to Production: Following successful testing, technical evaluation, and PQT, the USG intends to transition one solution into production starting in FY28.

· Follow-On Production Potential: This potential follow-on award is estimated to start at approximately 50 systems for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). Full Rate Production (FRP) may follow, which is estimated to produce several hundred systems. Production quantities are subject to funding availability and changes in program direction.

5. Solution Brief (White Paper) Submission Instructions Please refer to Section 3.2 of the CSO for specific instructions. In addition, submissions shall also include company information, technical approach, confidence of meeting requirements, experience with automated weapon system integration, proof of capability to meet the 6-month delivery timeline, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM), and future production capacity.

· Document Requests: To request documents listed in ‘Government provided documents’ section, vendors must submit a formal request with their CAGE code and proof of DD2345 (Military Critical Technical Data Agreement) certification to the Contracting Officer.

· White paper submissions must explicitly define the data rights, patent assertions, and software licensing terms offered for all proposed technologies and deliverables. To ensure long-term operational sustainability, the Government will consider the restriction level of these assertions as part of the evaluation criteria for subsequent formal solicitations and contract awards.

The deadline for submitting Solution Briefs for this AoI is 20 November 2026, 1200 EST.

All submissions shall be sent via email to the following Points of Contact:

· Contracting Officer: Jasmine Gilkey, jasmine.r.gilkey.civ@army.mil

· Contract Specialist: Pasquale Lucci, pasquale.c.lucci.civ@army.mil

· Technical Point of Contact: Daniel Santucci, daniel.a.santucci4.civ@army.mil