Synthetic Training Environment (STE) Virtual Software (VSW)

Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted Aug 27, 2026

Solicitation number: STE-VSW-26-0006
Agency: ACC Orlando Army Contracting Command, Department of Defense
Responses due: Oct 13, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
Set-aside: No set-aside

Opportunity facts

NAICS code: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
PSC: 6910 Training Aids
Place of performance: Orlando, Florida, United States
Points of contact: Ruth E. Torres ruth.e.torres10.civ@army.mil (520) 714-5519

Mark A. Muñiz mark.a.muniz6.civ@army.mil (520) 714-5628

Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated Oct 8, 2026.

About this opportunity

Written by GovTribe AI · Oct 8, 2026

Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Grounds (ACC-APG) Orlando Division, on behalf of Capability Program Executive Simulation, Training, Test & Threat (CPE ST3), is procuring Synthetic Training Environment Virtual Software (STE VSW) solutions across five capability lots with solutions for Lots 1, 3, and 5 due October 13, 2026 at 1000 EDT.

The Government seeks to modernize Army virtual collective training through a five-lot competitive acquisition structured under Army Open Solicitation (AOS) W9128Z-25-S-A002, with an estimated combined ceiling of approximately $250 million across a nine-month base prototype period followed by pre-priced five-year option periods. Lot 1 requires a Common Core Simulation Engine with 60Hz tickrate, 90Hz frame rate, under 20ms latency, supporting 50,000+ active entities, and published SDKs and APIs. Lot 2 seeks Simulation Application Software modules developed against the Lot 1 SDK in an open competitive marketplace model. Lot 3 requires Hardware-in-the-Loop Integration using Government-provided HAPI standards to map Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer (RVCT) physical equipment inputs. Lot 4 demands Training Management and After-Action Review Data Layer capabilities with Plan-Prepare-Execute-Assess and automated performance analytics. Lot 5 requires a contractor-furnished, independent Software Integration Laboratory facility within five miles of Central Florida Research Park in Orlando, Florida, operational within 45 days of award, providing DevSecOps CI/CD pipeline, API gateway, and Conformance Test Suite management; this lot carries strict Organizational Conflict of Interest restrictions prohibiting simultaneous award or performance on Lots 1, 2, or 4.

All solutions must achieve Technology Readiness Level 8/9 maturity at submission with no major development permitted. Solutions must support One World Terrain (OWT) ingestion via OGC 3D streaming protocols, integrate with RVCT hardware through open abstraction layers, employ Modular Open Systems Approach with standardized interoperability (HLA, DIS, REST/gRPC), comply with DoD Risk Management Framework and DISA Security Technical Implementation Guides for CUI//SP-CTI/NOFORN classification at DoD Impact Level 4/5, and provide Government Purpose Rights for APIs and SDKs. Four core operational priority deliverables are mandatory: a certifiable Table II virtual collective training gate to live fire for mounted maneuver units, TC 3-04.3 Table VII/X collective gunnery capabilities for aviation platforms (AH-64E, UH-60M/V, CH-47F), seamless combined arms environment integration, and Full Mission Command concurrency with current Mounted Mission Command systems.

Offerors must submit Volume I (mandatory compliance including OCI acknowledgement and OWT ingestion proof), Volume II (8 pages for Lot 1, 5 pages for others, anonymous technical concept declaring Path A/GOTS, Path B/COTS, or Path C/Hybrid modernization approach with architecture diagrams, data segregation strategy, and licensing model), Volume III (product demonstration video up to 5 minutes and live API/SDK documentation as TRL 8/9 go/no-go gates, not anonymous), Volume IV (non-binding rough order of magnitude for nine-month base period, planning only, not evaluated), and Volume V (three pages maximum recent and relevant experience within three years). Phase 1 solutions for Lots 1, 3, and 5 were originally due September 29, 2026 but were extended to October 13, 2026. Lots 2 and 4 submissions are deferred until Month 4 following completion of a 90-day competitive sandbox and final Lot 1 down-selection.

Evaluation follows a two-step process: Step 1 assesses mandatory technical readiness and compliance (administrative/OCI, proof of TRL 8/9 commercial maturity, OWT ingestion capability, U.S. security eligibility) on Acceptable/Not Acceptable basis; Step 2 applies weighted qualitative evaluation prioritizing Schedule Narrative (speed to Table II gate and velocity to Initial Operating Capability), Technical Merit (core operational deliverables, MOSA compliance, developer experience, scalability), and Solution Viability (data rights, intellectual property, sustainment freedom). Overall project risk is categorized as Low, Moderate, or High.

The Government intends to award two competing Lot 1 vendors for a 90-day competitive sandbox phase, with separate awards for Lots 3 and 5 initially; Phase 2 demonstrations are scheduled for late October 2026 conducted virtually via secure Government platform or in-person in Orlando, Florida (the Government will not travel to contractor facilities). All awardees must execute a Government-approved Associate Contractor Agreement within 30 days of award, legally binding them to share technical data, SDKs, APIs, and actively collaborate without additional Government cost; failure to execute results in alternate vendor selection. The Government will provide Government Furnished Information including current Training Simulation Software (TSS) technical baseline source code, RVCT hardware specifications, HAPI standards, and Software Integration Lab infrastructure access via 8TB external storage media upon execution of a Distribution Agreement; GFI access is restricted to U.S. subcontractors and authorized teaming partners. Foreign-owned or affiliated entities are ineligible for Lot 1 (RVCT is CUI/NOFORN) and direct award to Five Eyes partner nations is prohibited. Awards are anticipated in mid-November 2026 with performance-gated potential for follow-on production contracts under 10 U.S.C. 4022(f) authority.

Notice text

22 versions

Update #22 · Latest · Oct 8, 2026

9/3/2026 - Update to add Attachment STE VSW CFS Q_A Vendor 09.03.2026

9/04/2026 - Updated to add Vendor Intent to Submit Solution link and revise the description information. Please note, the description information referenced in this section is the most up to date information. Please note, any conflicting information between this Description section and the STE VSW CFS attachment, the information in this Description section takes presedence over the conflicting date referenced in the DRAFT STE VSW CFS. Any updated information referenced in this section will be included in any revised DRAFT or FINAL STE VSW CFS document as soon as possible. The Government team is working on a revision to the DRAFT STE VSW CFS and will be posted as soon as possible.

9/10/2026 - Update to add ACC-APG AOS link, and access link below for Industry Day & One on One's Request.

9/10/2026 - Update to add the following attachments: Att 04 ACA LOI, Att 05 TC Notes 09.10.26, Att 06 STE IS SDA and Att 06a TSS-TMT GFI.

9/11/2026 - Update to add Attachment STE VSW CFS Q_A Vendor 09.11.2026

9/11/2026 1415 hours - Updated to add Attachment STE VSW CFS Q_A Vendor 09.11.26 v1.1

9/15/2026 - Update to add Attachment STE VSW Call for Solutions 09.15.26, add Attachment A v1_STE Virtual SW Training Requirements Overview (Air). Solutions Due date updated from 28 September 2026 to 29 September 2026 at 1000.

9/15/26 2040 hours - Updated to add Attachment STE VSW CFS Q_A Vendor 09.15.26

9/16/2026 Updated the submission time in the posting to 1300 EDT

9/18/2026 Update to post STE VSW Call for Solution Amendment 001 - The STE VSW CFS amendment document takes precedent over any conflicting information between the posting and the actual STE VSW CFS amended document.

9/18/2026 Updated to add Attachment STE VSW CFS Q_A Vendor 09.18.26

9/18/2026 Update to post STE VSW Call for Solution Amendment 002 - The STE VSW CFS amendment document takes precedent over any conflicting information between the posting and the actual STE VSW CFS amended document.

9/23/2026 Update to add STE VSW Industry Day Slides 9.22.26, and STE VSW Interested Vendors list.

9/24/2026 PLEASE NOTE SOLUTION/PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS DATE FOR LOTS 1,3, AND 5 HAS BEEN REVISED TO 10/13/2026 AT 1000 HOURS EDT. LOTS 2 & 4 ARE DEFERRED AND WILL NOT BE DUE ON 10/13/2026 AT 1000 HOURS EDT. THE ANONYMITY REQUIREMENT FOR VOLUME II SUBMISSION HAS ALSO BEEN REMOVED AND IS NO LONGER A REQUIREMENT. THESE CHANGES WILL BE FORMALIZED IN A SUBSEQUENT CFS AMENDEMENT.

10/01/2026 Release of STE VSW CFS Amendment 003 and Q&A dated 10.01.26 added as attachments.

10/08/2026 Update to release STE VSW Call for Solutions Amendment 004 and Q&A dated 10.08.26 added as attachments.

*10/08/2026 Update to add STE VSW CFS Q_A Vendor 10.08.26 v1

The Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Grounds (ACC-APG) Orlando Division, on behalf of Capability Program Executive Simulation, Training, Test & Threat (CPE ST3), Program Manager Simulation, is issuing this Call for Solutions (CFS) under the Army Open Solicitation (AOS). The objective of this CFS is to solicit the most rapid, cost-effective, and technically sound solution to deliver the following operational outcomes: 1) A Doctrinal Gate to Live Fire; 2) A True Combined Arms Environment; 3) Full Mission Command Concurrency; and 4) Open system architecture with published SDKs and APIs to enable user manipulation and rapid integration of future capabilities.

The full DRAFT SE VSW CFS document, which outlines the detailed objectives, submission requirements, and evaluation phases are referenced in the Attachments Section of this notice.

*Revised important, anticipated acquisition events, and dates are as follows:

27 Aug 2026 DRAFT STE VSW CFS posting
27 Aug – 13 Sep 2026 DRAFT STE VSW CFS Q&A
15 Sep 2026 FINAL STE VSW CFS posting
22-24 Sep 2026 STE VSW Industry Day and One on One sessions, Orlando, Fl.
13 Oct 2026 1000 EDT STE VSW CFS solutions due Lots 1, 3, & 5 ONLY
19 Oct 2026 STE VSW Lots 1,3, & 5 ONLY Down Select Notifications
03 - 05 Nov 2026 STE VSW Lot 1, 3, & 5 ONLY Demonstration Pitch
13 Nov 2026 Selection Notices STE VSW Lot 1, 3, & 5 ONLY Vendors
13 – 20 Nov SOW/PWS Collaboration, Request for Final Price, and Solutions Lots 1, 3, & 5 ONLY
20 Nov 2026 Anticipated Lots 1, 3, & 5 ONLY Awards

The solution brief is issued under the authority of the Army Open Solicitation Number W9128Z-25-S-A002 posting: https://sam.gov/opp/b94e184f53f943cdb90b118fa0401c89/view.

All interested parties are strongly encouraged to review the attachments to both this solicitation and the parent AOS posting for complete information.

The Government encourages our industry partners to review the DRAFT STE VSW CFS posting, available attachments, and submit any questions or concerns to the POCs listed in the CFS attachment or associated to this announcement. The Government will make all attempts to answer all questions and/or concerns as soon as possible. The Government will review and post responses to all questions or concerns as an attachment to this posting throughout the DRAFT and Final STE VSW CFS process. Vendor information will not be included in responses to all posted questions.

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Please reach out to the POC's below if you have any questions. Thank you!

Update #21 · Oct 8, 2026