DESCRIPTION

​​​The Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), in partnership with U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), and powered by Army FUZE xTech, is seeking innovative electromagnetic spectrum operations solutions from eligible small and large businesses across the globe through the G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech.

​This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), earn prize money and the potential opportunity to submit a proposal for follow on contracts. 

​This initiative supports the U.S. Army’s broader effort to (1) identify and understand the spectrum of ‘world-class’ technologies being developed commercially that benefit the U.S. military; (2) integrate non-traditional innovators into the U.S. DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; (3) provide expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, and transition technologies to support operational forces; and (4) deliver attritable, scalable capabilities.  

​The G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech will consists of three (3) phases:  

(1) Application, including the following:  

• ​Four (4)-page white paper; 
• ​Required up to five (5)-minute video; 
• ​Self-certification of minimum requirements; and  
• ​Information on prior demonstrations with DoW or allied/partner nation

(2) Soldier Exercise; and 

​(3) Opportunity to submit follow-on contract proposal and participate in an Operational Assessment.  

​The U.S. Army intends to award up to $1,000,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition. Up to 15 finalists will be selected at the conclusion of the Part 1 evaluation period to receive a cash prize of $25,000 each and an opportunity to participate in the Part 2 live Soldier exercise, anticipated to occur in February 2027. Finalists who successfully participate and ​have their technology integrated into the exercise and participate in the technology pitch ​will receive an additional cash prize of $25,000 each, following the event. Following ​completion of the exercise and technology pitch, up to five (5) final winners will be selected to  receive an additional cash prize of $50,000 each and may be considered for potential follow-on  agreements and contracting opportunities. Additional details on prize structure can be found in Section VII of the RFI. 

​At the Government’s discretion, participants that do not win a prize may also be considered for opportunities to demonstrate their capability. 

​Eligibility to submit does not guarantee award. 

​Any follow-on agreements are at the Government’s sole discretion and are subject to availability of funds and applicable laws and regulations. Nothing in this solicitation shall be construed as a commitment to issue a request for proposal (RFP) or award any contract or agreement.  

​Finalists and final winners must have a CAGE/NCAGE code to receive a cash prize and contract award. A CAGE/NCAGE code is not required at the time of application; however, applicants that do not possess one (1) are strongly encouraged to initiate the registration process in advance if they intend to participate.  

​The G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech is conducted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4025, which authorizes the use of prize competitions to stimulate innovation and identify promising technologies for national security applications. Requirements for competition under 10 U.S.C. § 3201 are satisfied upon completion of the challenge and use of prize authority. As such, this competition serves as a competitive down select mechanism that enables government organizations to engage with finalists and winners through a variety of follow-on acquisition pathways, including but not limited to: 

• ​10 U.S.C. § 4114 – Selection of contractors for prototype projects 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4022 – Prototype projects 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4023 – Procurement for experimental purposes 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4001 – Research and development 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 4021 – Other Transaction Authority (OTA) 
• ​10 U.S.C. § 3458 – Authority to acquire innovative commercial products and commercial services using general solicitation competitive procedures 
• ​15 U.S.C. § 3703 – Technology innovation partnerships 
• ​15 U.S.C. § 638 – SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs 

​Government organizations may consider leveraging these statutory authorities to pursue follow-on awards with companies identified through the xTech competition process. This approach supports rapid technology maturation, accelerates the transition of innovative capabilities to the field, and promotes collaboration with non-traditional and small business performers. 

​While the authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. § 4025, the G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech may generate interest by other U.S. Army, DoW or U.S. Government (USG) organizations for a funding opportunity outside of this event. The interested organization may contact the participant to provide additional information or ask for a request for proposal in separate solicitation. Finalists of the prize competition may have opportunities to submit a separate proposal for further development of their proposed technology solution based on the needs of the Army. The Army may use a contract mechanism of their choice and will notify the participants accordingly.  

​All G-TEAD SETAF AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit submissions are treated as privileged information and contents may be disclosed to employees of the USG, allied nations, designated support contractors at the USG’s discretion for the purposes including, but not limited to, evaluation, program administration and support, potential inclusion in Army or DoW marketplaces, and consideration for potential follow-on opportunities. The Government will use reasonable efforts to protect proprietary information; however, participants are responsible for clearly identifying any proprietary or restricted information within their submissions. 

​The Army FUZE xTech Program intends to provide feedback from evaluators to participants during each part of the competition. The purpose of providing this feedback is to help accelerate the transition of the technology to a U.S. Army end-user by providing insight into the best applications for the technology, suggestions for product improvement for U.S. Army use and recommended next steps for development. However, the Government will not respond to inquiries regarding this feedback. 

​Problem Statement 

​The U.S. Army is seeking innovative counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) capabilities that can support expeditionary operations in austere environments through the G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech. SETAF-AF requires a rapidly deployable, layered, and scalable fly-away kit capable of detecting, tracking, and defeating Group 1-3 small UAS (sUAS) threats in austere environments, including remote airfields and contingency support locations near active host-nation civilian or military airports. 

​The Army seeks innovative, mature, ready-to-deploy (TRL 6+) C-UAS technologies that enhance force protection, increase situational awareness, and provide adaptable, scalable solutions. C-UAS detect, identify, track, and neutralize threats posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Desired solutions should be small, portable, rugged, reliable, user-friendly, power-flexible, and modular enough to scale by mission profile and location. Open architecture, standards-based approaches are preferred. Solutions should provide immediate operational capability and be suitable for deployment, setup, teardown, sustainment, and employment by expeditionary forces operating with limited infrastructure and personnel. 

​ 

​The Army is seeking to evaluate capabilities that demonstrate performance in one (1) of five (5) capability areas, and meet the following criteria for its capability area:  

• ​Capability 1: Consolidated Capability  
• ​Capability 2: Detection and Identification 
• ​Capability 3: Kinetic Defeat 
• ​Capability 4: Non-Kinetic Defeat 
• ​Capability 5: Passive Protection 
• ​For details on the full capability areas, see Appendix A of the RFI. 

​Capabilities submitted for evaluation shall meet the following criteria, as applicable:  

• ​TRL 6 or higher; 
• ​Characteristics apply to active systems; passive protection responses should address Category 5 only; 
• ​Be expeditionary: small, portable, rugged, reliable, and support minimal maintenance; 
• ​Support rapid setup and teardown with limited operator burden; 
• ​Provide power flexibility and efficiency, including the ability to use multiple power sources, including solar where available, with NATO/U.S. standard supply connections, AC or DC input, surge protection, and operation on unconditioned shore or generator power; 
• ​Be modular and scalable based on mission profile and location; 
• ​Use open-architecture, standards-based design where feasible; publish to and accept tasking from IBCS-M, with Integrated Sensor Architecture (ISA), Sensing for Asset Protection with Integrated Electronic Networked Technology (SAPIENT), Tactical Assault Kit (TAK), and Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) supported where applicable; 
• ​Be suitable for deployment to remote airfields, immature infrastructure, and urban-adjacent contingency locations near active host-nation civilian or military airfields with collateral effects controlled; 
• ​Be supportable under constrained bandwidth and limited sustainment conditions and operate with no reach-back; 
• ​Operate in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-enabled, denied, and spoofed modes without hardware modification; 
• ​Be operable by the site guard force after initial training; no dedicated C-UAS operators are required; 
• ​Provide an emergency stop or fail-safe, and geofencing for any organic UAS; authority-gated effects disabled by default; 
• ​State baseline RF, thermal, acoustic, and visual signatures and any means to reduce them; 
• ​Comply with NDAA §848, §817, and §889 and the American Security Drone Act; Blue UAS cleared for any organic UAS; TAA for all other components; 
• ​Operate within the authorities and host-nation constraints provided for each site; a clear Rules of Engagement (ROE) and authority matrix is required before employment. Be able to use library- and component-based identification structures to isolate unique identifiers, potential signal sources, or operator information such as to minimize civilian, partner, or friendly force misidentification; 
• ​Defeat Group 1–3 UAS by electronic, kinetic, or cyber means; and 
• ​Solutions that are plug-and-play, MOSA-aligned, SWaP-C informed, adaptable at the tactical edge, and scalable to evolving end-user needs. 

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

ELIGIBILITY

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

Each eligible entity: 

• Must be able to obtain a CAGE code (U.S. businesses) or NCAGE code (international businesses) to process payments and receive follow-on awards;  
• Shall be incorporated in, and maintain, a primary place of business in the U.S. or an allied foreign country; 
• 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; 
• 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 
• 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. 

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