SAM #PdMFSS-2602

RFI: Advanced Arctic Shelter Solutions for 5-man and 10-man Teams

The U.S. Army is conducting market research for advanced Arctic shelter solutions to support small unit operations in extreme cold environments. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Army, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS), W6QK ACC-APG NATICK - Products/Services Requested: - Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS) shelters for 5-man teams and 10-man squads - 5-man Team Arctic Shelter (AS): - Maximum weight: 140 lbs - Must be lightweight, durable, flame resistant, wind/water resistant, and breathable - Rapid assembly/disassembly (ideally under 5 minutes) - Stove stack integration - Signature management (visual concealment and infrared mitigation) - MIL-STD 810-H, Berry Amendment, and Buy American Act compliance - Operational at -40°F (ideally -65°F) to 65°F - Supports 72-hour missions, 5-year useful life, 10-year storage life - 10-man Squad Arctic Shelter (AS): - Maximum weight: 120 lbs - Same technical requirements as 5-man shelter - Industry Day Demonstration and Technology Evaluation: - Potential for field evaluations and industry day participation for candidate solutions - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Only mature (TRL 7+) commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) or emerging technologies considered - Focus on rapid deployment, equipment modernization, and durability - No specific OEMs or vendors named; open to all qualified manufacturers - Potential future procurement could exceed 3,000 shelter systems - Locations: - Contracting office: W6QK ACC-APG NATICK, 10 General Greene Ave, Natick, MA 01760-5011 - Place of performance: Arctic/Climate Zone 7 environments

Description

INTRODUCTION This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) notice for the Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS) 5-man Team and 10-man Squad Arctic Shelter (AS) described below.

IMPORTANT NOTICE This RFI notice is being issued for the purpose of determining market capability of sources and assessing industries’ current capabilities in the technology area. This does not constitute an Invitation for Bid (IFB), a Request for Proposal (RFP), a Request for Quote (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. THIS is NOT a Request for Proposals. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST AT THIS TIME. Any information provided does not constitute a proposal but will be considered an exchange of capabilities and ideas. The Government will not be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing this information or potential participation in the event. This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the government will take procurement action in this matter. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly.

Responses will be reviewed, and candidate technologies of interest will be invited to participate in an Industry Day event in June 2026 to demonstrate and show the technology based on information provided in response to this RFI. Additional field evaluations may be completed on the technologies as well.

The due date for responses to this RFI is 16 April 2026, 5pm EDT.

BACKGROUND The legacy winter survival mobility system (Ahkio) was developed after the Korean War in the 1950’s and was supported through the early 1980’s. In the early 1970’s the program received an update to the shelter and heater system. Since the last fielding in the 1980’s, there has not been a program or material solution update. Additionally, the legacy Ahkio (Arctic Sled) and legacy 10-man shelter is no longer being produced, causing units to purchase different styles of sleds and shelters without standardization across the force.

Because the Army has a requirement to operate in the Arctic and other extreme cold weather environments, units are purchasing commercial mobility and survivability equipment with unit funds to sustain operational effectiveness in the Zone 7 environment. The service life, weight and performance of the legacy equipment still in use fail to optimize both individual and unit mobility relative to commercially available, modern equipment.

The AMSS is the official Program of Record (PoR) initiated on December 06, 2024 to standardize and improve legacy equipment with modern, lighter weight, integrated technology solutions to significantly improve mobility, sustainability and survivability. AMSS will provide BCT formations in Climate Zone 7 who are at risk of failing to maneuver against enemy forces, deny enemy ground, and survive in the current, projected, and regional threat areas, resulting in improved readiness to achieve their mission and significantly reduce loss of life.

Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS) is in the process evaluating new shelter solutions that address gaps in the legacy systems to include, but not limited to, rapid deployment and strike, system weight, equipment modernization, and system durability. Information received from this RFI may be used to help identify technical solutions suitable for incorporation in future Army AMSS 5-man Team and 10-man Squad AS solutions. This RFI will help inform the Government's acquisition strategy for a potential future production effort that could exceed 3,000 systems. Information received may ultimately result in requests for equipment manufacturers to demonstrate their capabilities at no cost or risk to the Government.

Requirements Mature technologies (TRL 7+) and products that can provide the following capabilities are of interest:

Both the 5-man Team and 10-man Squad AS shall meet the following: Provide sufficient protection for Soldiers from hazardous cold weather. Breathable, wind/water resistant, and flame resistant. Meet relevant MIL-STD 810-H requirements. Soldiers shall be able to quickly assemble and disassemble AS while wearing issued arctic OCIE in 20 minutes or less, ideally in 5 minutes or less, in all weather conditions. Shall have a stove stack. Signature management The AS shall have a low profile and have blackout capability. The AS shall have integrated signature management that provides, at a minimum, visual concealment. Ideally the system mitigates detection in the Near Infrared (NIR), Short-wave Infrared, Mid-wave Infrared (MWIR), and Long-wave Infrared (LWIR). Fully operational at –40 F, and ideally at –65 F. Berry Amendment compliant. Buy American Act compliant. Capable of operating for a continuous 72-hour mission. Five (5) years of useful life. 10 years of storage life.

The 5-man Team AS shall meet the following: Total shelter system weight not exceeding 140 lbs.

The 10-man Squad AS shall meet the following: Total shelter system weight not exceeding 120 lbs.

Respondents shall address a solution for both 5-man Team and 10-man Squad AS.

CONTENT AND FORMAT OF PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS The electronic copy of responses is to be in .PDF or .DOCX compatible format using a size 12 font with one-inch margins. Following a review of the responses received, PdM FSS may elect to request additional information, to gain additional information about their proposed solution(s).

SUBMISSION – should include The intent of the product synopsis is to identify systems/technologies that have already been shown to meet many of the performance requirements listed above and could be demonstrated. To respond to this RFI, please complete a white paper addressing the below listed information of interest, NOT TO EXCEED 10 PAGES, with additional pertinent information. Do not attach marketing brochures, test reports, or other extraneous materials to your submission as they will not be reviewed nor will they be considered as part of the evaluation.

INFORMATION OF INTEREST The US Army seeks Commercial-Off–The-Shelf (COTS) or emerging technologies of Technology Readiness Level 7 (TRL 7) or higher (See definitions on attached document) that represent the state of the art. Contractors are requested to provide all of the following information for consideration within a white paper (not to exceed 10 pages):

a. A cover page labeled with the heading Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS) 5-man Team and 10-man Squad Arctic Shelter (AS) Product Information, including product name, the manufacturer, manufacturer address, technical point of contact, telephone number, email address and at least one photograph of the end item.

b. An executive summary describing the product.

c. No more than 10 pages including: Product technical description. Fully describe the product inclusive of all components (i.e. shelter system, frame system, staking system, operation concept, system weight when packaged, system cube when packed for transportation (L x W x H), system dimensions when deployed for use (L x W x H), sleeping area (sqft) and any other applicable components). Narrative and graphical depiction of the proposed system including core technologies, deployment methods, and important subsystems. Product specifications with particular emphasis on quantitative metrics of fabric materials and capability. Applicable physical attributes to include parameters such as capacities, input requirements, salient output capabilities, or other quantitative characteristics as appropriate. System Technology Readiness Level (TRL). Any identified areas of concern or risk in the supply chain for the product. Relevant history of product (or similar product) utilization and any test results applicable to the system requirements. Test reports may be requested after review but shall not be added to the responding submission. Identify all tools and equipment required for erect and strike of the shelter. Transportation requirements and limitations. Manpower and time required to erect and strike the shelter, and to pack for transport. Consumables – Discuss all system consumables, including maintenance items. Catalog price or rough estimate of unit cost. Detailed description of manufacturing capability to include production capacity and throughput information Capability to scale production. Production timeline to deliverable systems. Locations of manufacturing.

If your technology is of interest, the Government Team will contact you with an invitation to participate in an Industry Day that will occur in June 2026. All companies will be notified of positive invitation decisions before the end of May 2026. The Government reserves the right to request additional clarifying information from each respondent.

SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS Electronic responses to this notice are requested to be emailed to the following Points of Contact no later than 16 April 2026, 5pm EDT. Raul Lopez, Project Lead, raul.a.lopez.civ@army.mil Clinton McAdams, Project Engineer, clinton.b.mcadams.civ@army.mil The subject line of the e-mail should contain the words Arctic Mobility Sustainment System (AMSS) 5-man Team and 10-man Squad Arctic Shelter (AS).

Please note Brochures or other descriptions of general organizational or individual capabilities will not be accepted as a response. All responses will be assigned an identification number, and an email will acknowledge receipt.

NOTE This RFI is issued for the purpose of determining market capability of sources and does not constitute an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses may not include classified material. Responses to this notice will not be returned. No reimbursement will be made for any costs to provide information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. Information contained herein is based on the best information available at the time for publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the Government. Availability of any formal solicitation will be announced under a separate Federal Business Opportunities announcement.

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