High Speed Aerial Targets

                                                                           SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

INTRODUCTION:

The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Orlando (ACC-Orlando) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice (SSN) on behalf of the U.S. Army Capabilities Program Executive Simulation, Training, Test (CPE ST3), Project Lead Threat Systems Management Office (PL TSMO) as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources having an interest and industry technologies available to provide High Speed Aerial Targets (HSAT). The targets will be used to test and evaluate surface to air defense weapons systems. 

The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement, if a requirement materializes.  Based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, these requirements may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part), procured through full and open competition or sole source.  All small business set-aside categories will be considered.  Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions. Potential sources can respond to either or both requirements in this notice.

DISCLAIMER:  THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.  THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED.  IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.  RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.  ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND: 

U.S. Army Capabilities Program Executive Simulation, Training, Test (CPE ST3), Project Lead Threat Systems Management Office (PL TSMO has a requirement to acquire and provide affordable, reusable, realistic, threat representative aerial targets to the Army, other services, and Allied Nations to support a variety of missions which require both simulated and live-fire engagements.  The Army currently owns and operates a fleet of BQM-167 and MQM-178 aerial targets to meet these requirements.  The Government does not own technical data packages for the BQM-167A, MQM-178A target systems and related peculiar support equipment and therefore cannot provide this data to interested parties.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES:

The subscale aerial targets shall meet the following performance requirements:

HSAT Target #1 Threshold Performance Requirements & Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

         a.   Targets are required to be at a minimum of Technology Readiness Level 6.

          b.  Endurance (minutes): 30 mins at 15,000 ft.

         c.  Desired Minimum-to-Maximum Airspeed Range: 250 Knots True Air Speed (KTAS) to 500 KTAS

         d.  Payload Carriage: Internal: 100 lbs.; Wing (pounds per wing): 100 lbs.

          e.  Operating Environment: Day and night, visual and instrument meteorological conditions (VMC and IMC)

          f.  Launch Wind Restrictions, Ground (knots): 25 in all directions

          g.  Launch: Land 

           h.  Recovery: Parachute recoverable on land and in water  

           i.  Sustained Positive "g" at 10,000 feet: +4.0

           j.  Operating Altitude: 50 ft. above ground level (AGL) with radar altimeter to 40,000 feet mean sea level (MSL).

           k.  Describe available payloads (systems) such as Luneberg Lens, towed targets, DLQ-9 pods, ALE-47, radar altimeter, etc.

           l.  Describe Ground Control System to include method of communications, radio frequencies, max operating distance, power                  requirements, number of simultaneous targets, etc.

           m.  Scoring System: Capable of operating with acoustic and scalar scoring system.

           n.  IFF Modes: Capable of operating with Sagetech Mode 3A and 3C

           o.  Describe any ordnance/explosive devices used in the operation of the system.

            p.  Describe any in-flight failsafes such as loss of carrier, escape maneuvers, etc.

            q.  Describe required Ground Support Equipment.

             r.  Describe any certifications or approvals previously received. Such as Air Worthiness Release, DOD and commercial                         spectrum approvals, range approvals, etc.

HSAT Target #2 Threshold Performance Requirements & Key Performance Parameters (KPPs)

              a.  Targets are required to be at a minimum of Technology Readiness Level 6.

               b.  Endurance (minutes): 30 at 15,000 ft.

               c.  Desired Minimum-to-Maximum Airspeed Range: 150 Knots True Air Speed (KTAS) to 350 KTAS

               d.  Payload Carriage: Internal: 15 lbs.; Wing (pounds per wing): 15 lbs.

                e.  Operating Environment: Day and night, visual and instrument meteorological conditions (VMC and IMC)

                f.  Launch Wind Restrictions, Ground (knots): 15 in all directions

               g.  Launch: Land

               h.  Recovery: Parachute recoverable on land and in water 

                i.  Sustained Positive "g" at 10,000 feet: +3.0

                j.  Operating Altitude: 50 ft. AGL with radar altimeter to 30,000 feet MSL

                k.  Describe available payloads (systems) such as Luneberg Lens, towed targets, etc.

                 l.  Describe Ground Control System to include method of communications, radio frequencies, max operating distance,                             power requirements, number of simultaneous targets, etc.

                 m.  Scoring System: Capable of operating with acoustic and scalar scoring system.

                  n.  IFF Modes: Capable of operating with Sagetech Mode 3A and 3C

                  o.  Describe any ordnance/explosive devices used in the operation of the system.

                    p.  Describe any in-flight failsafes such as loss of carrier, escape maneuvers, etc.

                    q.  Describe required Ground Support Equipment

                      r.  Describe any certifications or approvals previously received. Such as Air Worthiness Release, DOD and                                               commercial spectrum approvals, range approvals, etc.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Potential sources shall have the capability to provide depot-level supply, repair and maintenance support as well as Operations & Maintenance (O&M) manuals and O&M training for the target systems. Schedule is critical for this procurement, and any potential source must be able to deliver a complete, operationally-ready subscale target system (including but not limited to targets, O&M manuals, support equipment, training, spares, contractor depot-level repair & maintenance capability) within 12 months after award to meet mission requirements.

Potential sources shall be capable of delivering HSAT Target #1 aerial targets at an estimated rate of 15 targets per year and/or HSAT Target #2 aerial targets at an estimated rate of 30 targets per year.  Additional requirements may include depot-level logistics support, potential on-site technical support at Orogrande, NM and/or other designated Army range, spares provisioning and sustainment engineering to support Army operational requirements.

ELIGIBILITY:

The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), with a Size Standard of 1500 Employees.  The applicable Product Service Code (PSC) is 1550 (Unmanned Aircraft).

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

All interested parties shall submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) that explicitly demonstrates their capability to provide/perform one or both target requirements stated in this notice.  The capabilities statement should be brief and concise yet clearly demonstrate an ability to meet the stated requirements. The response must not exceed 15 pages to include attachments.

Your response to this Sources Sought Notice shall be electronically submitted to the Contract Specialist via email, mehan.r.lowers.civ@army.milwith a copy (CC) to the via email to rebeca.a.gonzalez.civ@army.mil no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST) on Jun 29, 2026 and reference this synopsis number in the subject line of the e-mail and on all enclosed documents.  Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned.   DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL.  All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. 

Written responses to this Sources Sought should consist of the following:

• 1.  Evidence that documents the assertion that the candidate system has a demonstrated capability of meeting the performance requirements identified above.

• 2.  Description of manufacturing facilities that demonstrates the candidates’ capability to meet the required delivery schedule, production rate, and any surge capability.

• 3.  Description of previous production, fielding, and training of similar aerial targets.

• 4.  Evidence of experience in developing and delivering technical manuals and training solutions for similar systems.

• 5.  A notional program schedule outlining key milestones to achieve delivery of a complete, operationally ready system within 12 months after contract award.

• 6.  A statement indicating your firm’s size status (large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBzone certified, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, veteran-owned, or minority-owned concern) as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-1.

• 7.  If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

• 8.  A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost, itemized for the following major components:
  • Cost per unit for HSAT Target #1
  • Cost per unit for HSAT Target #2
  • Ground Control System and Support Equipment

• 9. Does your firm wish to be a prime contractor for this effort or a subcontractor?

• 10. Please indicate the estimated percentage of work your company would perform as a prime versus the estimated percentage you would subcontract to small businesses and also large businesses.

• 11. If you wish to be a subcontractor, please indicate the percentage of work and areas of work you can perform.
• 12. Please describe if you are a manufacturer of these items or how you intend to comply with the FAR 52.219-33, Nonmanfacturer Rule if you are not.

• 13. Do you find any draft requirements language to be restrictive? If so, provide supporting rationale.

The Government will base its decision as to whether this acquisition shall be full and open competition, small business set-aside, or sole source based upon responses to this synopsis and other market research.  All interested sources shall submit their SOC to the Primary Point of Contact listed below.  Proposals are not being requested or accepted at this time. As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No solicitation (Request for Proposal) exists currently; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation.  The decision to solicit a contract shall be solely within the Government's discretion.

All information/materials received in response to this Sources Sought Notice that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.

*NOTE (LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING):  If you are a small business interested in being the prime contractor for this effort, please be advised that FAR clause 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) was updated in September 2021.  The current clause adds the definition of “Similarly Situated Entity” and the 50% calculation for compliance with the clause.  Small business prime contractors may now count “first tier subcontractor” work performed by a “Similarly Situated Entity” as if it were performed by the prime contractor itself. 

To assist in our market research and set-aside determination for this effort, if you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize a “Similarly Situated Entity” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting requirements, please identify the name & DUNS/CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare.  Information regarding any planned “Similarly Situated Entity” should be included in answering any questions outlined in the SSN in order to assist the Government's capability determination.