Experimentation: Transforming in Contact (EXTiC) 26-2
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit, has issued a Call for Technology (CFT) for Experimentation: Transforming in Contact (EXTiC) 26-2. This initiative seeks to find, vet, validate, and integrate new and emerging technologies aligned with CENTCOM’s strategic priorities. The goal is to establish an operationally relevant environment for testing new technologies and designing cost-effective, repeatable experimentation events relevant to future warfare. Submissions are due by May 5, 2026, at 1200 hrs MST.
Purpose & Scope
EXTiC 26-2 aims to advance military capabilities by integrating and assessing emerging technologies alongside Warfighters. The program focuses on creating a structured, repeatable venue for rapid capability transition. The Government is seeking technologies that can be integrated, stressed, and evaluated across five key verticals:
- Detection and Early Warning: Layered sensing for low-altitude, terrain-masked sUAS.
- ISR and Target Custody: Airborne ISR for positive identification and persistent tracking in contested environments.
- Adversarial EW and Swarm Threat Emulation: Replicating realistic Red-force behaviors, including RF jamming, GPS spoofing, and Iranian proxy UAS tactics.
- Integrated C2 and Defeat Layer: Merging command-and-control with defeat architecture for end-to-end detect-decide-engage.
- Resilience & Sustainment Layer: Ensuring system operation in degraded conditions through hybrid power, resilient Alt/PNT, and mesh networking.
Submission Requirements
Organizations with aligning technologies are invited to submit a structured package consisting of two components:
- Whitepaper (10 pages maximum): Must provide an overview of the technology's development path, operational/test history, current Technology Readiness Level (TRL), identify supported EXTiC vertical(s), and clearly state its role within the mission thread.
- Technology Quad Chart (1 page): Should summarize the capability, prior integration or deployment, current TRL, and include a technical point of contact with full communication details.
Evaluation & Selection Process
The selection process involves four phases:
- Phase 1: Technology Selection: Submissions are evaluated by a peer panel for maturity, relevance, and integration potential.
- Phase 2: Technical Demonstration: Selected vendors will demonstrate their technology's capabilities to an assessment team.
- Phase 3: Execution: The EXTiC 26-2 experimentation event will take place from July 27-29, 2026, where technologies will be assessed against Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) criteria.
- Phase 4: Evaluation and Reporting: Participants receive Letters of Observation (LOOs). Technologies deemed "awardable" may be eligible for further research, prototyping, or procurement under 10 U.S.C. 3458, 4021, 4022, 4023, FAR Part 35, and DFARS Subpart 212.70.
Key Dates & Contact
- Submission Deadline: May 5, 2026, 1200 hrs MST.
- EXTiC 26-2 Event: July 27-29, 2026.
- Point of Contact: Nathan Cahoon, EXTiC Project Manager, nate@swmac.org, 520-606-4784.
Important Notes
The Government is not liable for any costs incurred in response to this CFT. Submissions must be UNCLASSIFIED or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). No specific set-aside is designated for this Call for Technology.