Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit Contract Modification

Notice of Intent to Modify Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit (NGABS) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) W91CRB-23-D-0021

The Army Contracting Command – Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA) intends to modify QinetiQ Incorporated’s (10440 Furnace Road, Suite 204, Lorton, VA 22079; CAGE 1TAV2) sole source, single award, IDIQ contract W91CRB-23-D-0021,  for the NGABS, under the statutory authority of 10 United States Code 3204(a)(1) as implemented by Revolutionary Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Overhaul (RFO) 6.103-1 (c)(2)(ii), Unacceptable Delays in Fulfilling the Agency’s Requirements.   

The scope of contract W91CRB-23-D-0021 includes all procurement and production activities required to obtain First Article Test (FAT) approval and production authorization to begin production, manufacture the NGABS (bomb suit coat/trousers, soft armor, Heads-up Display (HUD), Modular Sensor Suite (MSS), helmet cooling/ventilation, integrated lighting, integrated communications system, ballistic clear visor, computing/processing and software, and other materials that constitute the end item) in accordance with Purchase Description GL/PD 23-03 dated 29 June 2023, and delivery of the end item after Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT).

The Next Generation Advanced Bomb Suit (NGABS) is an Acquisition Category (ACAT) IV Program. The NGABS replaced the twenty (20) year old Advanced Bomb Suit (ABS) and  provided enhanced protection to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Soldier in daily operations to identify, render safe, and dispose of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other explosive threats. The current ABS capability is old and outdated, and it was not originally designed to support operations in a combat environment. The legacy bomb suit was designed with less ballistic/blast protection on the back of the suit compared to the front, leaving the EOD Soldier more vulnerable to increasing threats from kinetic fires in the form of primary and secondary fragmentation, as well as rifle and small arms projectiles. The NGABS increases Soldier readiness to respond to evolving threats by providing EOD Soldiers with 360º ballistic protection by integrating the Soldier Protection System (SPS), consisting of the First Generation Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS Gen I) helmet, Modular Scalable Vest (MSV), Vital Torso Protection (VTP) Hard Armor Plates, and drastically increasing situational awareness. The modular, scalable, mission tailorable design of NGABS reduces weight while offering increased mobility and survivability, which is tailorable to various situations globally. Additionally, the NGABS’ innovative Modular Sensor Suite-Heads-Up Display (MSS-HUD) increases situational awareness through technology advancement in its low/no light operation integrated capability. The MSS consists of Visible Color Sensor, Near Infrared Sensor, Long Wave Infrared Sensor, and Fused Day/Night Vision capabilities to display on the HUD that provide increased situational awareness in poor visibility, in daytime, or at night.

The NGABS System/Ensemble available for order under W91CRB-23-D-0021 is comprised of the Bomb Suit component and the MSS Electronics Kit component which includes a Heads-Up Display (HUD).  The proposed modification will revise the contract line-item number (CLIN) structure to facilitate the ability to procure the NGABS Bomb Suit component separately from the MSS Electronics Kit component.

This special notice is not a request for proposal or quotations. The Government anticipates awarding the modification in August 2026. No official solicitation is being issued, therefore requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action, based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Information received in response to this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government.

Interested parties may identify their capabilities in their response to this notice no later than 08:00 a.m. ET on 3 August 2026.  All information submitted should support the interested party’s capability to provide the items required, and must be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Verbal responses are not permitted and will not be considered.  Responses or questions to this requirement shall be submitted electronically to Kelsey M. Collins, kelsey.m.collins3.civ@army.mil  and Lisa J. Yamakawa, lisa.j.yamakawa.civ@army.mil.