RFI for Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM)

Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research to identify potential sources capable of providing an AARGM-ER equivalent missile system which consists of the All-Up-Round (AUR) missile to include hardware and software, as well as any unique logistics elements, trainers, AARGM-ER equivalent flyout model, and all system verification elements.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY AS A MARKET SURVEY TOOL AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, A SOLICITATION, A REQUEST FOR QUOTES, OR AN INDICATION THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTRACT FOR THE ITEMS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REIMBURSE RESPONDENTS FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBMISSION OF THE INFORMATION BEING REQUESTED OR REIMBURSE EXPENSES INCURRED TO INTERESTED PARTIES FOR RESPONSES. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED.

The Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Weapons Program Office (PMA-242) is responsible for Navy acquisition, development, and sustainment of direct and time sensitive strike weapons.  The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research to identify potential sources capable of providing a  mature design (TRL >6) missile system which consists of the All-Up-Round (AUR) missile to include hardware and software, as well as any unique logistics elements, trainers, flyout model, and all system verification elements. This AUR must be compatible with existing launch platforms.

BACKGROUND/REQUIREMENT

The US Navy is seeking to enhance its capabilities to suppress and neutralize enemy air defenses in contested environments. This effort aims to identify and potentially acquire a weapon system focusing on extended range, advanced targeting, counter-countermeasures, and integration with existing and future platforms.

Required Capabilities

Interested vendors are requested to provide information regarding their capabilities to provide a weapon system (or key subsystems) with the following characteristics (at a minimum):

• Extended Range: Weapon system capable of engaging targets at significant standoff distances.
• Targeting:
  • Advanced anti-radiation seeker with broad frequency coverage
  • Ability to target modern and advanced radar systems
• Lethality: High probability of kill against a wide range of targets.
• Platform Integration:
  • Compatibility with F-35 (both internal and external carriage), F/A-18E/F and EA-18G
  • MIL-STD-1760 and Universal Armament Interface (Rev6) compliance (or equivalent) for aircraft integration
  • Common Flexible Weapon Interface Control Document compliance highly desired
• Open Systems Architecture: 
  • Preference is for systems employing a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) that facilitates rapid capability insertion, technology refresh, interoperability and lifecycle sustainment.
    • Modular hardware and software design with clearly defined subsystem boundaries and interfaces
    • Well-documented Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and data models sufficient to enable third party integration and future upgrades
    • Use of widely adopted, non-proprietary, and consensus-based standards where practical
    • Ability to integrate future sensors, effectors, navigation systems, communications systems, and mission processing capabilities with minimal redesign
• Reliability and Maintainability: High operational availability and minimal maintenance requirements with ability to meet a 15-year service life, over 500 Captive Carriage Flight Hours, and ability to operate in a Carrier environment.
• Logistics Support: Comprehensive logistics support package, including training, maintenance manuals, spare parts, technical assistance, transportation and shipping at AUR and section level and missile compatibility with both CMBRE + and CMBRE+ CE.
• Cybersecurity: Compliant with current cybersecurity standards for weapon systems IAW DoDI 8500.01, DoDI 5200.44, NIST SP 800-53, and CNSSI 1253.
• Exportability: Expected to be open and modular such that future exportability and potential partner compatibility is not restricted.
• Affordability & Producibility: Capabilities should be affordable and producible in support of delivering quantities of up to 600 production AURs per year.
• Security: Expected to already have facilities and personnel to support classified requirements
  • Current ability to handle and process SECRET data and materials

ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The anticipated period of performance is expected to run for approximately 48 months from Contract award.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicable NAICS code is 336414 Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing. The Product Service Code (PSC) is 1410 Guided Missiles. Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify their business size in their capabilities statement.

SUBMITTAL INFORMATION

Interested parties may submit a Capability Statement package identifying their interest and capability in response to this notice. Only Capability Statements received on or before 31 July 2026 at 5:00 EST will be considered by the Government. The requested information is to assist the Government in conducting market research to determine potential business sources that have the assets, skills, experience, financial stability, qualifications, rights to technical data, and requisite knowledge required to support the requirement. A determination not to compete this proposed contract action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

It is requested that interested businesses submit to the contracting office a capabilities statement package (no more than 20 pages in length on 8.5 x 11-inch paper with one-inch margins, single-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font minimum) demonstrating ability to perform the tasking listed under the required capabilities and items 1-12 below.

To the maximum extent possible all responses to this RFI should be UNCLASSIFIED and for general access by the Government. Responses may be complemented by classified appendices as required, but must meet the format and delivery instructions described in this RFI and appropriate delivery must be arranged in advance. Classified responses must include identification of their source of classification guidance, as well as the name, telephone number, and e-mail address of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with Government representatives.

All responses, including capability statements, shall be submitted no later than 31 July 2026 at 5:00 EST. Responses shall be submitted electronically to the designated Contract Specialist, Hayley Graham at contact@example.gov and Contracting Officer, Lisa Maples at contact@example.gov, in Microsoft Word format or Portable Document Format (PDF).

Classified appendices shall be in compliance with current DoD directives and procedures. Companies are to adhere to the DoD National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) codifying 32 Code of Federal Regulation Part 117, NISPOM Rule, 24 February 2021 procedures for transmittal of classified responses.

Classified appendices can be provided either through SIPR or physical copies.

Physical copy classified appendices shall include electronic media and three hard copies, with outer envelope addressed to:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

PROGRAM EXECUTIVE OFFICER UNMANNED AVIATION AND STRIKE WEAPONS (PEO(U&W)), DIRECT AND TIME SENSITIVE STRIKE (PMA-242)

ATTN: DOCUMENT CONTROL

47123 BUSE ROAD BLDG 2272 STE 252

PATUXENT RIVER MD 20670-1547

Address inner envelope to:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

UNMANNED AVIAITION AND STRIKE WEAPONS

PMA-242

ATTN: AARGM-ER OFFICE, MRS. VALERIE CURL

47123 BUSE ROAD BLDG 2272 STE 252

PATUXENT RIVER MD 20670-1547

SIPR classified appendices should be sent to contact@example.gov.

Any information to be submitted higher than SECRET, address inquiries regarding submission of classified information to Matthew Jones at +1 (555) 000-0000 or contact@example.gov.

DO NOT SEND ANY CLASSIFIED INFORMATION VIA UNCLASSIFIED MAIL OR E-MAIL.

No phone calls will be accepted. The Government may contact RFI respondents in order to seek clarification of submitted information or gain additional input.

All questions must be submitted via e-mail. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this sources sought.

The Government prefers responses addressing all stated content below and up above in Required Capability. However, even if all content cannot be addressed, the Government still encourages responses that provide a description of strength areas and how beneficial contributions could be provided such as low-cost components, domain expertise, particular process capabilities, and modeling & simulation capabilities. Responding to a subset of the items below is of interest for potential teaming and collaboration opportunities.

1. Provide a description and TRL/MRL of the system concepts including expected iterative capabilities. Include available/expected Performance Characteristics of AUR/Components.
2. Provide a recommended viable program approach and overall period of performance considering the Government desired 48-month period of performance to complete any design/integration work and delivery of first production lot. If you cannot meet the desired period of performance, please respond with what would be attainable.
3. Provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing for any required development/integration work for capability and platform compatibility requirements and unit cost price bands in increments of 50 units with the min range of 50 and max of 600 for All Up Round Systems.
4. Provide a description of the potential program organization and resourcing plan addressing any innovative solutions to support a collaborative government-industry partnership.
5. Provide a description of experience and tools available for Model Based Systems Engineering.
6. Provide the data rights construct for the technical data that would be delivered.
7. Identify any proprietary components and interfaces, intellectual property restrictions, licensing requirements, and any vendor lock-in considerations.
8. Describe the strategy for technology insertion, software updates, cybersecurity enhancements, and capability growth throughout the system lifecycle.
9. Identify how the proposed architecture supports Government objectives for competition, maintainability, interoperability, and long-term affordability.
10. Describe what artifacts will be delivered (ICDs, API documentation, data models, software design descriptions, etc.)
11. Describe past experience with the following:
    • Engineering and Program Management skillsets, processes, and tools for Model Based development
    • Design for Modularity through Systems Engineering
    • Missile System Integration Experience
    • Airframe Flight Control Expertise
    • Acquiring, tracking, and guiding toward moving surface targets
    • Rapid Engineering and Manufacturing Development
    • Weapon System Test and Evaluation Experience
    • WOSA logical communication and physical interfaces at the domain level
    • Rapid prototyping with examples, to include an agile demonstration approach
    • Design for Manufacturability to support High-Rate Production
      • Performing Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
      • Conducting competitive sourcing of subsystems and components similar to those needed for this missile and the approach that would be used for this missile
      • Supply Chain Management and Risk Mitigation plan for sourcing components in support of production. Identify your top 3 supply chain risks to production deliveries or high-quantity production
12. If desired, explain a pathway to maturation of your technology, affordability, modularity, or manufacturability of your current system.

DOCUMENT MARKINGS

It is incumbent upon sources providing responses to this Notice to accurately mark all data with all appropriate data rights, distribution and classification markings. All information submitted will be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure.

Responses that fail to comply with the above instructions or present ideas not pertinent to this subject, may not be reviewed. All information received in response to this Notice that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Information submitted in response to this Notice is submitted at no cost to the Government and will not be returned. The Government is under no obligation to provide responses or comments to information received from interested persons but may request additional information following review. Note: If interested person is a foreign concern or if a U.S. interested person has a team member or partner who is a foreign entity, adherence to all International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) is required.