Special Notice: Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) – Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Fly-Away Kit (SETAF-AF ACE 27-01

1. Purpose & Overview

The U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), in coordination with the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), is publishing this Special Notice to alert industry to an upcoming external market research and capability-vetting opportunity administered via the U.S. Army FUZE xTech C-UAS Prize Competition.

This is an informational Special Notice only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), a formal Request for Information (RFI), or an invitation for bid. This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service, nor will the Government reimburse any costs incurred in responding to this notice. The official prize competition, including all cash prize allocations, evaluation criteria, and challenge rules, is administered exclusively through the external xTech platform. All capability white papers and entries must be submitted through the external xTech portal to be eligible for competition entry.

2. Capability Focus Areas

SETAF-AF and G-TEAD are seeking mature, rapidly deployable (TRL 6+) C-UAS capabilities addressing Group 1–3 sUAS threats in austere environments across five capability areas:

• Capability 1 (Consolidated Capability): Single air-cargo pallet / transit-case integrated kit with common power distribution and operator interface.

• Capability 2 (Detection & Identification): Passive and active sensors detecting non-emitting Group 1/2 sUAS (at 1.5 km or greater) and Group 3 (at 8 km or greater).

• Capability 3 (Kinetic Defeat): Defeat mechanisms requiring no spectrum or navigation approvals, minimizing collateral risk near active civilian or military airfields.

• Capability 4 (Non-Kinetic Defeat): Directional/omni-directional RF denial and navigation disruption with integrated deconfliction safeguards.

• Capability 5 (Passive Protection): Zero-power, zero-spectrum signature reduction (visual, thermal, radar) and decoy integration.

3. Regulatory & Technical Disclaimers

• Operational & Spectrum Approvals: Technical capabilities or controls built into proposed systems do not confer legal authority to emit, jam, or disrupt spectrum or airspace. Any future operational employment or physical testing remains subject to separate U.S. Government, host-nation, spectrum, safety, and airspace approvals.

• Supply Chain & Domestic Preference: Solutions must comply with NDAA § 848, § 817, and § 889, as well as the American Security Drone Act (ASDA). Any organic UAS must have Blue UAS clearance; Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliance applies to all other components.

• Proprietary Data: The Government will protect properly marked proprietary information. Vendors are solely responsible for marking proprietary or competition-sensitive data.

• Authorities Used: 

• 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

4. Vendor Submission Guidance (External xTech Portal)

To participate in the external xTech capability review, vendors must submit their capability packages through the designated xTech portal. Do not submit package files through SAM.gov or via email to the contracting office.

As detailed in the full xTech announcement, submissions must consist of:

• White Paper: A maximum of four (4) pages in PDF format detailing how the technology maps to one or more of the five Capability Areas.

• Accompanying Video: An optional, but highly recommended, five (5) minute maximum video demonstrating the system in operation or explaining its deployment scheme.

• System TRL Certification: Self-certification of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or above.

• Submission Portal Link: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/xtech-cuas/signup 

• Official RFI Document: https://xtech.army.mil/

White Paper Submission Deadline: November 17, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET)