Industry Day Site Visit to National Training Center (NTC)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions posed by industry regarding the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Layered Protection (LP) and CBRND Industry Day held on March 9, 2026.

• PAE Strategy: PAEs share a common goal of filling capability gaps, though specific approaches may vary by service and focus (e.g., materiel). Acquisition reform is a key intent, with services exploring faster, iterative acquisition processes similar to SOF.
• Capability Prioritization: The government prioritizes capabilities, not specific programs, and intends to communicate these priorities.
• Future Needs Prediction: Understanding how capabilities will be employed in future conflicts (e.g., future decontamination processes, mission threads) will aid in predicting future needs.
• Government-Industry Communication: The government aims to improve sharing of needs by refining and sharing Characteristics of Need (CoN), focusing on desired characteristics rather than specific system attributes. Industry involvement in down-selection processes is desired.
• Platform Integration: The PAE LP and CBRND are open to multiple platform integration (UAS/UGVs/other) for modular payloads, acknowledging that needs and missions evolve.
• Information Sharing: Efforts are underway to improve transparency and information sharing between the government and industry, particularly for discussions above unclassified levels. The Formation Based Layered Protection Dashboard may assist in this.

White papers can be submitted via the provided link: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/HbdiXC9vDY. The due date for white paper submissions is April 18, 2026.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a presentation from the NTC Industry Day concerning the Layered Protection Capability of Needs (CoN) Statement. Its purpose is to inform industry stakeholders about the battlefield application of layered protection, specifically as it relates to the LP CoN, to encourage dialogue and drive innovation in material solutions. The presentation outlines the Army's conceptualization of layered protection, distinguishing it from contemporary notions by emphasizing the integration of foundational elements, operational protection assets, and warfighting system synchronization.

It details the technical challenges associated with layered protection, categorized into four areas: Detection (avoiding detection), Characterization (disrupting adversary identification and targeting), Engagement (neutralizing adversary multi-domain effects), and Survive (mitigating attack effects to preserve combat power). Specific technical aspects within each category are listed, such as signature management, decoys, resilient C2, and air and missile defense. A scenario depicting an SBCT defending against an armored BDE is presented to illustrate the integration of these elements. This information is relevant to potential bidders as it defines the operational context and technical challenges the Army is addressing, guiding them on potential areas for solution development and innovation within the Layered Protection capability.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Encl 2 TRL Cheat Sheet.pdf," provides a description of the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) as defined by the Department of Defense (DoD), based on the DoD (2010) Defense Acquisition Guidebook. It serves as a reference for understanding the maturity of technologies.

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): A scale from 1 to 9, detailing the progression of a technology from basic principles to proven application in operational conditions.
• Description: Each TRL level (1-9) is accompanied by a detailed description of the technology's state of development, including examples.
  • TRL 1: Basic principles observed and reported.
  • TRL 2: Technology concept and/or application formulated.
  • TRL 3: Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept.
  • TRL 4: Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment.
  • TRL 5: Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment.
  • TRL 6: System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment.
  • TRL 7: System prototype demonstration in an operational environment.
  • TRL 8: Actual system completed and qualified through test and demonstration.
  • TRL 9: Actual system proven through successful mission operations.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the expected technology maturity levels for any proposed solutions or requirements within a solicitation. It provides a standardized framework for assessing and communicating the readiness of technologies, which may be a key evaluation criterion or a fundamental requirement for the opportunity.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is for planning purposes only and is not an Invitation for Bids (IFB), Request for Quotations (RFQ), or Request for Proposals (RFP). The U.S. Army is seeking insights from industry on emerging technologies related to layered protection and Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Defense (LP & CBRND). The goal is to understand industry capabilities that could enhance tactical capabilities for safe, efficient, and effective operations.

• Event: Industry Day Site Visit to National Training Center (NTC)
• Dates: March 8-10, 2026
• Location: Ft. Irwin, CA
• Purpose of Event: Observe aspects of a training rotation, specifically a Defend/Attack Scenario, to identify operational gaps and gain insights into the characteristics of need for layered protection.

Industry is invited to provide insights and potential solutions in the following areas:

• Avoid Being Seen: Advanced, multi-spectral concealment systems for vehicles, equipment, and soldiers; scalable, multi-spectral obscuration capabilities.

• Avoid Being Understood: Tactical technical effects (physical and virtual) and signature manipulation tools to create a false operational picture.

• Avoid Being Hit: Platform-agnostic, AI-enabled solutions for Unit-Level Counter-UAS, Resilient C2 & Decision Support networks, and Long-Range Disruption capabilities.

• Survive If Hit: Enhanced and integrated protection systems, autonomous and robotic engineer systems for survivability and obstacle breaching, and improved individual soldier protection and resilience.

• Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)

• Platform-Agnostic

• AI and Autonomy-Enabled

• Optimized for Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C)

• Scalable for mass production and ease of training

• Event Participation: Limited to approximately 50 individuals from industry. Vendors will observe operations and provide feedback.

• Post-Event Documentation: Within 30 days following the event (by April 10, 2026), vendors must submit documentation detailing their proposed solution, addressing:

  • Problem-Solution Fit
  • Integration Plan
  • Key Attributes (reliability, speed, ease of use)
  • Maturity and Scalability

• Response Format: No more than five (5) pages, Times New Roman or Arial font, size 12.

• Participants: No more than two participants per company.

• Initial Questions Due: February 20, 2026

• Registration Closing: February 25, 2026

• Event Dates: March 8-10, 2026

• Post-Event Questions Due: March 20, 2026

• Responses Due: April 10, 2026

• The Government will not reimburse contractors for any costs incurred in responding or for any subsequent exchange of information or travel.

• Responses will be used for market research and may inform future solicitations or contract actions.

• All assumptions and proprietary information must be clearly marked.

• This RFI does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract.