Specialized Computer Hardware, for Portfolio Capability Executive (PAE) Fires

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to industry questions regarding the Specialized Computer Hardware opportunity.

• Graphics Card Interface: The government does not have a specific reference graphics card. The requirement is for a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) 3.0x16 or better interface, intended to accommodate a discrete graphics card if desired by the user.
• Storage Capacity: The required system will have a total storage capacity of 4 TB.

These clarifications provide specific details on hardware interface requirements and storage capacity, which bidders should consider when preparing their proposals.

Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought

This RFI is issued by the US Army for market research to identify Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) hardware solutions for Specialized Computer Hardware (SCH). The SCH is needed to support multiple critical missions, requiring the capacity to host, process, and execute a range of applications under intense workloads. This is a Sources Sought announcement, not an offer or solicitation for contract award. Responses will help determine industry interest and capability.

Respondents must detail how their solutions meet the following minimum performance requirements for the SCH:

• Form Factor: 1U system in a 19" rack.
• Power Supply: Removable/replaceable, supporting 100/240V VAC (60/50 Hz) and/or 10-36 VDC, 32 Amp.
• Processors: 1 or more enterprise-class x86 processors (e.g., Intel Scalable or AMD EPYC) totaling 40+ cores.
• Memory: 128 GB or more of DDR4 ECC memory per socket, with a minimum total of 256 GB (192 GB if shared).
• Interface: At least 1 PCIe 3.0x16 or better interface for a discrete graphics card.
• Storage: At least 1 removable Gen3 SATA or faster SSD, or PCIe 3.0 or faster NVMe SSD.
• Environmental/Shock/Power Compliance: Must acknowledge compliance with specified MIL-STD and IEC standards for shock, vibration, airborne noise, structure-borne vibration, EMI/RFI, temperature (0-50°C operating, -40-80°C survivability), altitude (10,000 ft operating, 40,000 ft survivability), and humidity (5-95% non-condensing).
• Manufacturing Standards Compliance: Must acknowledge compliance with AS5553, Gold issue, AS9100D or better production facilities, and exclusion of Chinese parts.
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Level 7 or higher.
• Operating System: Support for 8.x Red Hat Enterprise Linux or newer.
• Other Features: Support for hypervisors (KVM or equivalent), discrete TPM 2.0, security features, cyber-resilient BIOS, tamper resistance, conformal coated motherboard (IPC-CC 830), specific front and rear panel I/O (USB 3.0+, Ethernet), and X86 memory encryption.

Preferred Options: Intermediate tamper resistance, particulate filtering, side rails, built-in security features, secure hypervisor options, cyber-resistant baseboard management controller, Board Support Package (BSP) support, Display Port, and weight under 25 lbs.

• Response Format: A white paper of no more than 20 pages (12-point font). Must include company name, CAGE code, and point of contact.
• Content: Technical overview, affordability (estimated costs), testing summaries, and architecture conformance (MOSA).
• Due Date: Responses are due no later than June 30, 2026, 1500 Central Standard Time.
• Submission Method: Unclassified, electronic responses via email to Leigh Kellstrom, Jeremiah Duncan, or William Anderson, or via DoD Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE).
• Questions Due: No later than May 22, 2026, 1500 Central Standard Time.

Respondents must state if they qualify as a Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) Certified, HUB Zone Certified, Veteran Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Small Business, or Central Contractor Registration. Information on domestic or foreign ownership is also required.

• This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to a contract.
• The Government will not reimburse costs associated with documentation submission.
• Submitted documentation becomes U.S. Government property and will not be returned.
• All submissions must reference the Announcement Number in the email subject line.
• Contact Leigh Kellstrom (leigh.t.kellstrom.civ@army.mil) for classified submission instructions if applicable.