Sources sought for cooperative research & development partnerships hypersonic infrared target sensing – transition opportunity (HITS-to)

Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground is conducting a sources sought for cooperative research and development partnerships on hypersonic infrared target sensing technology, with responses due October 15, 2026 at 1600 ET. No government funding is available through this notice; partnerships will be facilitated through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) with shared resources and capabilities, and preference is given to entities willing to self-fund.

The Department of War (operating as the Department of Defense) seeks U.S. industry partners, national laboratories, University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) capable of maturing infrared seeker technologies for hypersonic weapons, transitioning innovations from Technology Readiness Level 3–4 to TRL 5–6. Partners must demonstrate exceptional capabilities in at least one of four technical objectives: Innovative Imaging & Tracking Systems for advanced optics capable of target location and tracking through hypersonic turbulence and distorted windows; Optical Materials development for infrared-transparent materials and coatings surviving extreme flight conditions; Test & Evaluation facilities for hardware-in-the-loop testing in stressing infrared environments; or Modeling & Simulation of high-fidelity multi-physics models for hypersonic engagements.

Respondents must be U.S. entities able to handle Controlled Unclassified Information per NIST SP 800-171, provide a current DD2345 form, state their facility clearance level, and confirm key personnel hold necessary personnel clearances. Submissions must include a Technical Capability Summary Statement (maximum six pages per objective, up to four TCSS documents allowed) with past performance examples from up to three completed projects within the last five years, current facility and personnel clearances for CUI or classified work, and documentation of financing capability. Selected respondents will be invited for in-depth discussions following non-disclosure agreement execution, with successful collaborations potentially leading to future funded contractual agreements.