Request For Information and Industry Day Announcement - Modular Advanced Radio Architecture (MARA) Hardware Integration and Prototyping

Request For Information and Industry Day Announcement
Modular Advanced Radio Architecture (MARA)
Hardware Integration and Prototyping

Marine Corps Systems Command is announcing an upcoming Industry Day to demonstrate to attendees the basic functions of the Modular Advanced Radio Architecture (MARA) proof-of-concept. Additionally, the Government is seeking information from potential sources to satisfy its requirement for hardware integration and prototype development for the MARA effort.

MARA is a modular tactical radio system that leverages Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance / Electronic Warfare (C5ISR/EW) Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) and Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) standards. MARA seeks to provide resilient, scalable, and interoperable multi-waveform communications for the warfighter. Primary uses of a MARA radio system will be communications and supporting Command and Control, Fires and other warfighting functions as required by tactical Marine Forces. MARA will provide tactical edge communications as the Radio Frequency transport on tactical voice radio networks and tactical data networks up to Top Secret level.

The MARA effort was officially designated as a Program of Record in June 2026. A proof-of-concept has been developed using Non-Developmental Item (NDI) hardware taken from other government programs / experiments working with open standards. For acquisitions relating to the MARA effort, the Government seeks to build on these open standards by obtaining Product Level Technical Data Package (TDP) and Interface Control Documents (ICDs) with a minimum of Government Purpose Rights.

Participation in this RFI and the Industry Day is open to U.S. companies, including foreign-owned U.S. subsidiaries that are eligible to receive export-controlled technical data under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Attendees must be "U.S. Persons" as defined by 22 CFR § 120.62. Companies with foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) must not be owned or controlled by entities from prohibited source nations (as identified in DFARS Subpart 225.7 or Section 889 of the FY19 NDAA).  Attendees do not require a personal security clearance for the unclassified and CUI portions of this RFI and Industry Day. Foreign Nationals may not obverse any information, or attend any discussions associated with this effort unless prior coordination and explicit approval is provided by PM TCE.

Industry Day Information

As part of the Industry Day, the program is conducting a classified demonstration of the MARA system to allow companies a better understanding of how the system works. However, to protect national security and to prevent unauthorized disclosure, attendees participating in the classified sessions must possess an active Secret clearance, AND the attendees’ company must possess a verified SECRET Facility Clearance (FCL). Companies with an FCL, and with foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) must have an approved DCSA FOCI mitigation agreement (or other approved DCSA mitigation measure) in place to hold the required Facility Clearance (FCL). Cleared US Person’s acting as consultants or proxies on behalf of uncleared companies may not attend this classified demonstration, cleared attendees must be directly employed by the cleared company.

• Date: 22 September 2026
• Location: NIWC Atlantic – Charleston, Command Briefing Theater
• Purpose: To demonstrate the basic functionality of the MARA proof-of-concept, clarify component-level technical constraints, detail Government Furnished Items (GFI) such as waveforms and the Secure Operating Environment (OE), System Graphical User Interface (GUI) and conduct a Q&A session.

After the demo, attendees will be given the opportunity to schedule 1:1 time with the MARA team. Information on how to book the 1:1 meeting will be provided after registering for the demo.

• Registration: Interested parties must register by submitting their Company Name, CAGE Code, and Attendee Names to robert.heric.civ@usmc.mil (and cc hyung.lee@usmc.mil) no later than 04 September 2026.​​​​​​
  
  • Vendors may send no more than two (2) attendees
  • Attendees must have a clearance level up to Secret to participate
    • Clearance & FOCI Requirements: Attendees participating in the classified demonstration must possess an active Secret clearance. The company must possess a verified FCL at the SECRET level. Companies with foreign ownership, control, or influence (FOCI) must have an approved DCSA FOCI mitigation agreement (or other approved DCSA mitigation measure) in place to hold the required Facility Clearance (FCL).
  • After submittal, attendees will receive information detailing visitor request requirements
  • Seating is limited so registration will be accepted as first come, first served

Prototype Components

The Government is seeking the following information to help inform the potential availability of required MARA prototype components:

• Modular Hardware Chassis & Power Supply: Provide proposed slot configuration details to achieve strict Red/Black separation and detail "push-up" requirements. The chassis must support the identified Plug-in Cards (PICs) to include a specific keyed slot for the Cryptographic Subsystem (CSS) and explicitly provide three (3) open payload slots for future expansion.
• Software Defined Radio (SDR) & Tactical Scalable MANET (TSM) PICs: Detail support for Government waveform porting on the SDR, interface with the TSM PIC to support Warrior Robust Enhanced Network (WREN), provision of Software Development Kits (SDKs), and the ability to remove proprietary or other vendor code.
• Single Board Computer (SBC) PIC: Describe capabilities to host and seamlessly support the Government-owned Secure Operating Environment (OE).
• Cryptographic Subsystem (CSS) PIC: Outline CSS integration capabilities. (Note: The Government reserves the right to dictate the specific CSS selection to streamline the NSA High Assurance certification path).
• Peripherals: Describe integration approaches for Radio Heads (for traffic routing) and audio to digital interface (handset and speaker voice delivery).

Interested parties capable of meeting the above-listed prototype component criteria, please provide the technical specification sheets of the product(s) to robert.heric.civ@usmc.mil (and cc hyung.lee@usmc.mil) no later than 04 September 2026.

Submissions must include:

• Name of Company
• Company Point of Contact (Name, Phone Number, and Email Address)
• CAGE Code

Please explain if this capability is not available today, provide an estimated date and roadmap for availability. Responses shall be limited to 10 pages, including slick sheets or product brochures. Proprietary information submitted, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that submissions will not be returned.

Disclaimer

This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment by the U.S. Government to issue an Other Transaction Authority agreement. Attendance at the Industry Day is highly encouraged but is not a prerequisite for submitting a response to this RFI.