Ground Based Radar Digitization (GBRD)

The U.S. Space Force's Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Peterson Air Force Base has issued a Special Notice for an Industry Day focused on the Ground Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) Program. The event is scheduled for August 8, 2025, from 0800-1500 hours at the Innovation Hub in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This Industry Day is designed to engage defense contractors and industry representatives in discussions about modernizing and digitizing radar systems critical to national defense. The GBRD program specifically targets six radar sites, including five Upgraded Early Warning Radars and one Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System, to enhance battlespace situational awareness and reduce sustainment costs. The notice serves as an invitation for qualified industry partners to participate in structured discussions with program leadership about this significant radar modernization initiative.

The primary purpose of this Industry Day is to foster collaboration between the Department of Defense and industry representatives while incorporating industry feedback into the upcoming Request for Information (RFI) development process. Contractors interested in participating must RSVP by 1700 hours Mountain Standard Time on August 1, 2025, for individual industry interviews with program leadership. Eligible participants should be contractors, companies, or non-traditional contractors with demonstrated expertise in Phased Array Radar Systems, Ballistic Missile Early Warning System radar networks, and experience in radar modernization, digitization, and sustainment efforts. The government is particularly interested in industry partners who understand how to leverage Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technologies and modular open system architectures to minimize development risks and enable future upgrades. The acquisition strategy is still under development but may utilize Middle Tier Acquisition or Other Transaction Authority approaches, potentially involving prototyping of the first two sites followed by a production contract for the remaining locations.