By Eleanor Kent, Army FUZE  

WASHINGTON ‒ The Army FUZE xTech Program, in partnership with the Global Tactical Edge Directorate (G-TEAD) and U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) has launched the xTech|Kinetic Reach competition focused on agile sustainment and mobility technologies for future operations.  

Conducted as part of G-TEAD’s new Accelerated Capability Event (ACE) framework, the competition is seeking commercially developed capabilities related to autonomous resupply, battlefield recovery, power generation, payload movement, and forward arming and refueling operations. The effort supports sustainment priorities identified by USAREUR-AF and is intended to rapidly identify technologies capable of supporting distributed operations at the tactical edge.  

The competition will progress from an initial white paper evaluation into a live Soldier exercise and pitch event in Grafenwöhr Germany, where up to 15 selected finalists may demonstrate technologies alongside the 21st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC). Finalists will each receive $25K for attending the Soldier exercise and an additional $25k for completing the demonstration. Following completion of the demonstration, up to five winners earn an additional cash prize of $150,000 and may be invited to submit a Direct to Phase II Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposal with a total funding pool worth up to $10 million. 

Finalists may also be asked to leave behind their technology with G-TEAD for further testing, evaluation, and technology maturation efforts, unlocking consideration for a follow-on other transaction agreement (OTA), with a total funding pool of up to $2.7 million. 

Competition Overview 

The xTech|Kinetic Reach competition seeks white paper submissions from eligible small and large businesses proposing sustainment solutions in one of the five capability areas: 

• Capability 1: Autonomous Container Handling & Movement System 
• Capability 2: Future Power Generation 
• Capability 3: Autonomous UAV/UGV Forward Refueling/Recharge System 
• Capability 4: Uncrewed Aerial Payload Transportation  
• Capability 5: Uncrewed, Automated, Ground Recovery System

Detailed descriptions for each capability area set are available in Appendix A of the competition RFI. 

Competition Structure 

The xTech|Kinetic Reach competition consists of three parts: 

Part One: Concept White Paper 

• Submission window: June 5 –24, 2026 
• Eligible vendors must submit a four-page concept white paper and pre-recorded five-minute video outlining their technology, viability, and demonstrating its suitability for participation in a live demonstration event 
• Up to 15 finalists selected will be invited to Part Two, the live demonstration event in Grafenwöhr, Germany 

Part Two: Soldier Exercise 

• Finalists will participate in a live demonstration event in November 2026, showcasing their solutions to a panel of Army and Department of War (DoW) experts  
• Finalists who attend the Soldier exercise will receive $25k each and upon completion of the demonstration an additional $25k 
• Up to five final winners will receive an additional $150,000 each  

Part Three: Opportunity to Submit Follow-On Contract Proposals 

• Up to 15 companies will be asked to leave behind their technology for further testing and collaboration, unlocking the opportunity to submit for an OTA with a total funding pool worth up to $2.7 million  
• Up to 15 U.S. based small businesses will have the opportunity to submit for Direct to Phase II Army SBIR proposal with a total funding pool worth up to $10 million 

Eligibility 

Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations (i.e., large and small businesses) both domestic and foreign.  

General Eligibility (All Applicants)  

1. Must be able to obtain a CAGE code (U.S. businesses) or NCAGE code (international businesses) to process payments and receive follow-on awards;  
2. Shall be incorporated in, and maintain, a primary place of business in the U.S. or an allied foreign country; 
3. Shall not be a U.S. Federal Government entity, foreign government entity or employ a U.S. Federal Employee acting within the scope of their employment; 
4. Shall not be currently under contract, agreement or other providing similar capabilities in the region under the same use case to the Government for work described in the problem statement; and 
5. Must not be based in a Foreign Country of Concern (FCOC), directly funded by an FCOC government or government-subsidized guidance fund, or under the influence of an FCOC government in any form.

U.S. Small Business Eligibility (for potential SBIR Opportunity) 

Small, for-profit, independent U.S. businesses. Restrictions exist about (1) the type of firm; (2) its ownership structure; (3) the firm’s size in terms of the number of employees; and (4) prior, current, or pending support of similar proposals or awards, as follows:   

(1) Type of Firm: An eligible firm must be organized as a for‐profit concern and meet all the other small business requirements in 13 C.F.R. § 121.702. Non‐profit entities are not eligible.  

(2) Ownership and Control: A majority (more than 50%) of an eligible firm’s equity (e.g., stock) must be directly owned and controlled by one (1) of the following:   

a. One (1) or more individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the U.S.;  

b. Other for‐profit small business concerns (SBCs) (each of which is directly owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens or permanent resident aliens of the U.S.); or   

c. A combination of (a) and (b) above.

Note: If an employee stock ownership plan owns all or part of the concern, each stock trustee and plan member is considered an owner. If a trust owns all or part of the concern, each trustee and trust beneficiary is considered an owner.   

(3) Size: An eligible firm, together with the affiliates, must not have more than 500 employees.  

(4) Prior, Current, or Pending Support with Similar Technology: Proposals submitted in response to this prize competition must not be substantially the same as another proposal that was funded, is now being funded, or is pending contract award with another federal agency. Small businesses with any questions concerning prior, current, or pending support for similar proposals or awards must disclose those as early as possible to the xTech Program Office.    

Other Eligible Entities 

Eligible entities not qualifying as U.S. small businesses may include domestic and foreign for-profit organizations, non-profit organizations, and large businesses, provided they meet all general eligibility requirements listed above. 

Failure to meet any of the above requirements will result in ineligibility for award. The U.S. Government reserves the right to verify eligibility and make all final determinations at its sole discretion. 

About the Army FUZE xTech Program 

The Army FUZE xTech Program is the Army’s premier tool for scouting and accelerating dual-use technologies that directly enhance Soldier readiness and mission success. Through dynamic prize competitions like xTech|Search, xTech identifies breakthrough solutions and opens doors for nontraditional companies to engage with and deliver capabilities to the Army. Since its launch in 2018, xTech has awarded over $30 million in non-dilutive cash prizes across 50+ competitions – fueling innovation pipelines and delivering transformative technologies that matter on the battlefield. 

Learn more at the Army PIT website: https://pit.army.mil/pathway/xtech/  

About Army FUZE  

Army FUZE is the engine driving innovation within the Army’s integrated innovation ecosystem, strategically aligned under the Army’s Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT). By uniting key programs such as xTech, Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer, Manufacturing Technology, and the Technology Maturation Initiative within a synchronized framework, FUZE accelerates advanced capabilities, strengthens the industrial base, and delivers readiness at the speed of relevance. Operating with a venture capitalist mindset, FUZE scouts broadly, takes calculated risks, and scales the most promising technologies, ensuring taxpayer dollars are directed toward solutions with both Army operational relevance and commercial viability. Through its alignment with PIT, FUZE underscores the Army’s commitment to fostering innovation, streamlining technology transitions, and bridging the gap between emerging technologies and critical operational needs to maintain military overmatch. 

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