Ground-Based, Medium-Caliber Gun Weapon System

1. SYNOPSIS 

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), C3BM Directorate, Wright Patterson Force Base (WPAFB), Ohio is conducting market research seeking vendor interest for a Ground-Based, Medium-Caliber Gun Weapon System. 

  

This is a Request For Information (RFI) only. This RFI is issued solely for market research purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force (AF) is not seeking proposals, nor will it accept unsolicited proposals at this time.   

Respondents are advised that the United States Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor the Government’s point of entry (www.sam.gov) for additional information pertaining to this requirement.  

Additionally, Non-Government A&AS support may be utilized in the review process of RFI submissions. These non-governmental support staff are covered directly by Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs) with the US Government as a condition of employment. Any respondent to the RFI with concern should notify one of the POCs found in Section 7.   

1. PURPOSE 

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential industry sources capable of providing solutions for a Ground-Based, Medium-Caliber Gun Weapon System that fires affordable munitions, enables defense against air and missile threats with an initial focus on subsonic cruise missiles (CM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to provide persistent defense in support of United States Air Force assets. The objective of this RFI is to gather information regarding industry capability. 

1. ACQUISITION STRATEGY  

The program's acquisition strategy is currently in development.   

1. SCOPE/REQUIREMENTS 

The scope of this RFI is centered on solutions that strictly prioritize fifteen baseline attributes essential to operational success that can engage both cruise missiles and UAS (groups 1-5) threats in accordance with the reference documents.  

To effectively assess and compare air defense weapon system performance, there are fifteen critical baseline operational and technical parameters that must be analyzed in unison. These key metrics begin with the system's Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) evaluated against both Cruise Missiles (CM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Groups 1-5 at maximum range and altitude, ensuring robust lethality against diverse modern threats. The physical footprint of the engagement envelope is defined by its Effective Slant Range and Elevation Coverage, while the capacity for sustained operations is dictated by Magazine Depth and the system's ability to execute Raid Handling against saturating attacks. Furthermore, modern multi-domain operations require seamless Integrated Sensor Capability, deep C2 System Integration, and broad System Interoperability across joint networks. From an efficiency and sustainment standpoint, the system must balance its Cost Per Engagement and Manpower requirements, supported by a reliable Built-in-Test (BIT) framework for rapid diagnostics. Finally, tactical utility is rounded out by the platform's overall Transportability, stringent Weapon Safety protocols, and its comprehensive Multi-Domain Engagement Capability to counter threats across various operational environments. 

Fifteen Baseline Requirements: 

1. Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) vs CM at max range and altitude 

1. Salvo Probability of Kill (Pk) vs UAS Groups 1-5 at max range and altitude 

1. Effective Slant Range 

1. Elevation Coverage 

1. Magazine Depth 

1. Raid Handling 

1. Integrated Sensor Capability 

1. C2 System Integration 

1. System Interoperability 

1. Cost Per Engagement 

1. Manpower 

1. Built-in-Test (BIT) 

1. Transportability 

1. Weapon Safety 

1. Multi-Domain Engagement Capability 

When designing and evaluating next-generation defense systems, the development team must navigate critical trade-offs across three primary Trade Space Attributes to balance lethality, situational awareness, and operational flexibility. First, the system must optimize Munition Performance versus Munition Cost and Gun Capability, ensuring that the interceptor's velocity, maneuverability, and terminal effects are maximized without driving the cost-per-engagement to unsustainable levels or exceeding the physical constraints of the host platform. Second, developers must carefully select the Organic Sensor Capability and Phenomenology—integrating the right mix of radar, electro-optical, infrared, or radio-frequency sensors—to ensure reliable target acquisition and tracking across varying weather conditions, environments, and countermeasure scenarios. Finally, the entire architecture must remain Rapidly Deployable, maintaining a lightweight, modular, and transportable footprint that can be swiftly projected into austere theater environments to meet emergent threats. 

Trade Space Attributes: 

• Munition Performance vs. Munition Cost/Gun Capability 

• Organic Sensor Capability and Phenomenology 

• Rapidly Deployable 

1. RESPONSE GUIDELINES 

THE CONTRACTOR'S RFI RESPONSE SHALL BE: 

• Page Limit: 10 pages or less (cover page is not included in page count) 

• Format: Submissions must be provided in PDF  

• Submissions must be provided in PDF with naming convention: CompanyName_SystemName_DDMMYYYY 

• Font: One (1)-inch margins; Times New Roman 12 font  

• Classifications: All responses must be UNCLASSIFIED. If proprietary data is included, it must be clearly marked. 

• Provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners.   

• Company Name  

• Address  

• Point of Contact  

• Unique Entity ID (UEI)  

• CAGE Code  

• Phone Number  

• E-mail Address  

• Web Page Address  

• Specify whether your company is a U.S. or foreign-owned firm   

• Company Size Status  

• Business System Status  

• Facility Clearance Level (RFP release may contain classified components.)   

• Anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS Code): 332994 

The Government anticipates the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this effort to be 332994 - Small Arms, Ordnance, and Ordnance Accessories Manufacturing. If your organization believes another NAICS code is more appropriate for this requirement, please provide the suggested NAICS code along with a brief, objective justification supporting why the alternative code is a more accurate representation of the planned scope of work. The final NAICS determination will depend on the final acquisition strategy and selected contract vehicle.  

1. ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: 

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI), as defined and discussed in FAR 9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest, is a concern in all acquisitions across the Department of Defense. Early involvement with our industry partners is a key element of the OCI process, and it is critical for the Government to be able to identify any potential OCI issues as early as possible for acquisition.  

1. SUBMISSION 

DUE DATE: 09 OCTOBER 2026, 1700, EST. Late responses may not be reviewed. 

SUBMISSION: Responses should be submitted electronically to the contracting officer (CO). 

Primary CO: Christine Basham, christine.basham.1@us.af.mil  

Secondary CO: Veronica Schoultz, veronica.schoultz@us.af.mil 

PLEASE NOTE: 

• All interested contractors must be registered in SAM to be eligible for award of Government contracts. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based upon responses hereto for any subsequent action. 

• If submitting company proprietary information or competition sensitive information, please make sure it is CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information to the maximum extent possible. All segregated proprietary information will be protected by the Government. 

1. DISCLAIMER 

THIS IS AN RFI ONLY. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the items or services discussed above, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as an authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.  

1. QUESTIONS 

Any questions should be submitted to the Contracting Officer(s) as identified above. 

1. REFERENCE DOCUMENTS: 

1. Memorandum for Senior Pentagon Leadership Commanders of the Combatant Commands Defense Agency and Dod Field Activity Directors, “Guidance for the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems in the U.S. National Airspace”, dated 31 October 2023. 

1. Joint Publication 3-01, “Counter Air and Missile Threats”, dated 23 March 2012. 
   https://defenseinnovationmarketplace.dtic.mil/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/JointDoctrine-CounteringAirandMissileThreats.pdf