Request for Information (RFI), Vehicle Integrated Point Enhanced RADIAC (VIPER)

The Department of the Army Materiel Command Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground is seeking industry sources to develop the Vehicle Integrated Platform Enhanced RADIAC (VIPER), a sophisticated radiation detection system. The Joint Product Lead for Radiological Nuclear Defense aims to replace legacy radiation detection equipment with a networked system capable of integrating into multiple Army ground and aviation platforms including Stryker, Abrams Tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, and aircraft like Chinook, Black Hawk, and Apache. The VIPER system must provide comprehensive radiation monitoring capabilities, including gamma dose rate, total dose, and prompt dose detection both inside and outside platforms. The government prefers Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions at Technology Readiness Levels 6-9, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity, reliability, and minimal power consumption. Key response requirements include a 12-page submission due by 5:00 PM EST on May 12, 2025, with questions accepted until April 28, 2025, and an invitation-only Industry Day planned for June 2025 at Aberdeen Proving Ground-Edgewood, Maryland.

The procurement opportunity is not designated for any specific set-aside category and is classified under NAICS Category 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing) and PSC Category 6665 (Hazard-Detecting Instruments And Apparatus). The system must demonstrate capabilities such as secure data transfer, real-time readouts, self-diagnostics, and radiation detection from 40 keV to 6 MeV, with seamless integration into vehicle computer systems. While specific award values are not disclosed in the pre-solicitation notice, the comprehensive nature of the system suggests a potentially significant contract value. The VIPER system is designed to be adaptable across multiple military platforms, indicating a broad potential implementation scope. The government's preference for advanced, cybersecure technologies suggests a forward-looking procurement strategy that prioritizes technological innovation and operational effectiveness in radiation detection and monitoring capabilities.