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Product Service Code: AC13 - NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT
NAICS Code: 541715 - RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHYSICAL, ENGINEERING, AND LIFE SCIENCES (EXCEPT NANOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY)
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is issuing this Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) for the AirBorne Sensors (ABS) Program. The Government will solicit this procurement as a Full and Open Competition. It is the MDA’s intent to provide the DRFP in phased increments. The purpose of this approach is to share information in stages as it becomes available, thereby providing ample time for feedback and refinement prior to issuance of the final RFP. Once all documents associated with the DRFP have been posted, the solicitation notice will be updated to state as such. The first increment includes:
Note: On May 7, 2025 a seperate SAM.gov posting was established for additional Bidders Library documents associated with the ABS Draft Request for Proposal. Navigation to that posting is as follows:
Title: AirBorne Sensors Program (ABS) Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) Partial Bidders Library
Notice ID: HQ085525E0001BL
Attachments: Bidders Library 3_NGS and Bidders Library 4_Aircraft
Link: https://sam.gov/opp/0e4172eae7f24042b223578bb1f7c3df/review
The purpose of providing these drafts is to exchange information to improve understanding of the Government’s requirements and industry capabilities, thereby allowing potential offerors to judge whether or how they can satisfy the Government’s requirements and enhancing the Government’s ability to obtain quality services. As such, this DRFP does not constitute a promise to issue a Final RFP in the future nor does it commit the MDA to establish a contract for any supply or service whatsoever.
The requirements in this DRFP are for the ABS Program. Participation in this effort is voluntary with no cost or obligation to be incurred by the MDA. All costs associated with responding to this posting will be solely at the Respondent’s expense. Additionally, participation in this or future Agency transactions and procurement opportunities is not contingent upon responding to this posting. It is the responsibility of the potential Respondents to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.
ABS ELIGIBLE FOR AWARD
Offerors are notified that in order to be eligible for award, Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database in accordance with FAR 4.1102. Offerors may obtain information on registration in SAM at https://www.sam.gov. If you are interested in saving searches, following contract opportunities, requesting secure documents, or signing up for an Interested Vendor List, you will need a login.gov account in SAM.gov.
Prime Offerors must have a Facility Clearance of SECRET in order to be granted access to the draft Offeror’s Library and to be eligible for award.
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP EXCLUSION:
This DRFP contains Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Companies under Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) will be excluded from contract award unless steps are taken to negate FOCI or mitigate associated risks to the satisfaction of the U.S. Government.
In accordance with Part 117 of Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, subsection 11(a), a U.S. entity is considered under FOCI when:
(i) A foreign interest has the power to direct or decide issues affecting the entity's management or operations in a manner that could either:
(A) Result in unauthorized access to classified information; or
(B) Adversely affect performance of a classified contract or agreement.
(ii) The foreign government is currently exercising, or could prospectively exercise, that power, whether directly or indirectly, such as:
(A) Through ownership of the U.S. entity's securities, by contractual arrangements, or other means, or;
(B) By the ability to control or influence the election or appointment of one or more members to the entity's governing board.
For further detailed information regarding FOCI, refer to 32 CFR Part 117.11.
ACCESS TO DRFP AND DRAFT OFFEROR’S LIBRARY
The DRFP/Draft Offeror’s Library, is available to Respondents upon request, subject to clearance validation. Access to the ABS DRFP/Draft Offeror’s Library is restricted to Respondents that have been cleared by MDA Contracting and Security Officials. Dissemination by Respondents to potential subcontractors will be in accordance with the ABS DD Form 254, which MDA will provide upon access approval. Subcontractor access is the responsibility of the Respondent. In order to receive the CUI documents, the Respondent requires a facility security clearance and level of safeguarding of no less than SECRET. This requirement shall be flowed down from the Respondent to all subcontractors prior to dissemination of information.
For access requests, Respondents must complete the ABS Bidders Library and Request Form (found in the Attachments/Links of this SAM.gov posting). Please return the completed forms to [email protected]. Utilize DoD SAFE site as necessary.
All technical data, computer software, computer software documentation, and programmatic and operational information provided by the MDA is in an "as is" condition without any warranty as to its accuracy, completeness, or adequacy. The Respondent shall use this technical data at its own risk. The MDA assumes no responsibility for such data/documentation nor will the MDA have any liability should such data/documentation prove to be inaccurate, incomplete, or otherwise defective. The recipient shall adhere to and properly control all documents according to the security classification, technical data, computer software, computer software documentation, distribution, privileged or confidential markings as they appear on the various documents.
DRFP FEEDBACK
The MDA will consider industry feedback to DRFP documents before the final ABS Program RFP is released. Feedback to DRFP documents must be submitted electronically to [email protected] no later than 4:00 pm Central Time on July 11, 2025. The subject of the e-mail transmitting the feedback should be, “ABS Program Draft RFP Redline Review Tracking Spreadsheet.” The preferred method of industry feedback is via tracked changes and comment balloons in the DRFP documents with an accompanying spreadsheet entitled, ABS Program Draft RFP Redline Review Tracking Spreadsheet so all feedback can be tracked to closure.
In addition to providing feedback on the DRFP documents released with this DRFP announcement, the MDA requests industry input on the ABS Program CLIN structure, incentives, and any other aspect of this acquisition that will achieve the desired outcomes described in the draft ABS Program PWS.
Hardcopy responses to this announcement will not be accepted. The Government will not accept or review any response other than those submitted on the spreadsheet form provided. Any other documentation (e.g., white papers, product/service brochures, etc.) in response to this posting will be disregarded.
ABS PROGRAM INDUSTRY DAY [UPDATED EVENT INFORMATION AS OF 5/23/25 - changes identified in Bold/Underlined Font]
In support of satisfying the follow-on requirement, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) will host an Industry Day on June 3, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The purpose of this Industry Day is to provide an orientation of the ABS Program, its mission, and information related to the solicitation in a conference style presentation. The Industry Day will also offer the opportunity for potential Prime Offerors to ask questions during one-on-one tours of ABS equipment.
Target Audience: Prospective Prime offerors and subcontractors on ABS DRFP
When: June 3, 2025, 0800-1700 Central Daylight Time (CDT)
Where: Tulsa Air and Space Museum
Attire: Business Casual
Contact: [email protected]
Interested participants must complete and submit the Industry Day Registration Form (attached) via email to [email protected] no later than 1700 CDT May 19, 2025. The email subject line shall state “RSVP ABS Industry Day Event.” Each prospective prime offeror must provide the following information with its RSVP:
An email confirmation will be sent by the MDA/DT Contracting Office verifying successful receipt of registration along with a detailed industry day agenda, schedule, and map. Receipt of registration documents does not guarantee clearance to attend this event.
Each person attending Industry Day must provide one form of valid US Government-issued photo identification and sign-in to the facility upon arrival.
The Government will not assume liability for costs incurred by an attendee. All costs associated with attending this Industry Day event will be solely at the attending party's expense. Personal electronic devices, to include but not limited to: cameras, cell phones, smart watches/fitness trackers, photographic equipment, recording devices, wireless headphones, thumb drives, and computer drives are prohibited from being brought onto the aircraft. Visitors are reminded that all bags and packages brought into the facilities are subject to inspection at all times by access control personnel. Attendees should arrive at the facility at 8:00AM CDT on the day of the event to ensure time for check-in and badging prior to entering the facility. Check-in will be from 8:00am - 8:30am CDT with the presentation starting promptly at 8:30am. No photography is permitted at any time.
As part of the pre-registration process, MDA requires all industry participants to submit a Visit Authorization Request (VAR) with MDA to participate in the Industry Day event. Any person attending the Industry Day event and tour/group session must, at a minimum, have a US SECRET security clearance.
VARs must be sent at least one week prior to the event via the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) to SMO Code: DDAAUH. Missile Defense Agency, 5222 Martin Rd., Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898. The individual’s name, company name and phone number shall be included in the VAR submission. The date of the visit shall be limited to June 3, 2025, the purpose shall be specific: “ABS Industry Day Event,” and the POC is Ms. Karen Bearden, [email protected], 256-425-5792. VARs submitted after May 27, 2025 will result in personnel not being cleared to attend the Industry Day Event. There will be no day-of processing by the MDA security office.
**Registration for this event has closed. All participants attending Industry Day must submit a VAR no later than May 27, 2025. VARs submitted after May 27, 2025 will result in personnel not being cleared to attend the Industry Day event. **
Government Systems Engineering & Technical Assistance (SETA) support contractors will be present and supporting the Government during Industry Day and HALO group tours. Please contact the Government points of contact identified in this announcement to express any concerns with these contractors. SETA support are from the following companies:
1. Astrion
308 Voyager Way NW
Huntsville, AL 35806
2. AeroVironment Inc.
410 Jan Davis Dr NW
Huntsville, AL 35806
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Approved for Public Release
25-MDA-12077 (24 Apr 25)