DESCRIPTION

​​The U.S. Army is seeking innovative, low-cost interceptor solutions from eligible small, medium, and large businesses across the U.S. and allied foreign countries to augment the current PATRIOT Air and Missile Defense mission against Air Breathing Threats (ABT), Cruise Missiles, Close-Range Ballistic Missiles (CRBM), and Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM) through the xTech|Apex Intercept competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), earn prize money, and potentially receive a contract award or agreement. 

​The U.S. Army FUZE xTech Program with the Capability Program Executive (CPE) Defensive Fires to deliver the xTech|Apex Intercept competition. 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 DoW; (2) integrate non-traditional innovators into the U.S. DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; (3) provide expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, transition, and scale technologies of interest to the DoW. 

​The xTech|Apex Intercept competition will consist of two phases:

(1) Application, including the following:

a. Up to five-page white paper; and

b. Optional video no longer than five minutes in length.

(2) Finals Demonstration event.

​The U.S. Army intends to award up to $8,000,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition to selected participants. Up to 30 finalists will receive a cash prize of $25,000 and an opportunity to demonstrate their innovative technology solution to a panel of Army and DoW experts and end-users in October/November 2026. Up to 18 final winners of the competition will receive an additional cash prize of up to $1,000,000 each for Topic 1 and up to $750,000 each for Topics 2-4 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. 

​In addition to non-dilutive cash prizes, participants will have the opportunity to engage with Army and DoW representatives through information-sharing and networking opportunities. 

​The xTech|Apex Intercept competition 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 – Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs 

​Government organizations are encouraged to 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 xTech|Apex Intercept competition 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 a separate solicitation. Finalists of the prize competition may be invited 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. No license to any U.S. Government-owned IP is granted by virtue of participation in or winning the prize competition. 

​All xTech|Apex Intercept competition submissions are treated as privileged information and contents may be disclosed to employees of the USG, governments of allied nations, designated support contractors at the USG’s discretion for the purpose of evaluation, program support, potential inclusion in Army or DoW marketplaces, and consideration for potential follow-on opportunities.  

​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 U.S. Government will not respond to questions or inquiries regarding this feedback. 

​Problem Statement 

​The U.S. Army is interested in cutting-edge technology solutions that will drive significant advancements in military capabilities while addressing complex challenges and enhancing national security. Specifically, the Army is interested in identifying existing capability for All-Up Rounds (AUR) as well as low-cost components (e.g. seeker, solid rocket motor, fire control, etc.). The competition consists of four distinct problem statements to support Air and Missile Defense (AMD) operations in highly contested environments including: 

• ​Topic 1: Low-Cost Interceptor AUR and Fire Control 
• ​Topic 2: Low-Cost Solid Rocket Motor 
• ​Topic 3: Low-Cost Seeker 
• ​Topic 4: Fire Control and Flight Guidance Implementation 

​For detailed topic descriptions, see Appendix A of the RFI. 

SCHEDULE AND PRIZES

ELIGIBILITY

• 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 to the Government for work described in the problem statement;  
• 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; and 
• Shall be at the sole discretion of the U.S. Government.