SAM #W912PF-27-S-GTEADCUASFlyAwayKit

Army xTech competition seeks deployable counter-UAS capabilities for Group 1–3 threats

The U.S. Army is using an xTech competition to identify and vet deployable counter-UAS capabilities for austere operational environments. - Opportunity: SETAF-AF, coordinating with G-TEAD, is publicizing market research through the Army FUZE xTech C-UAS Prize Competition. This is not a formal solicitation and does not commit the Government to a purchase or contract. - Capabilities sought: Mature solutions at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher for Group 1–3 small UAS threats, including: - An integrated, deployable kit fitting on a single air-cargo pallet or in a transit case, with common power distribution and operator interface. - Passive and active detection and identification of non-emitting Group 1/2 sUAS at 1.5 km or farther and Group 3 at 8 km or farther. - Kinetic defeat that requires no spectrum or navigation approvals and minimizes collateral risk near airfields. - Directional or omnidirectional RF denial and navigation disruption, with deconfliction safeguards. - Power- and spectrum-free visual, thermal, or radar signature reduction, including decoy integration. - Compliance: Solutions must comply with NDAA Sections 848, 817, and 889 and the American Security Drone Act. Organic UAS must have Blue UAS clearance; other components must be TAA-compliant. - Submission: Vendors must use the external xTech portal, not SAM.gov or email. Submissions require a PDF white paper of no more than four pages mapping the technology to one or more capability areas and self-certification of TRL 6 or higher. A video of up to five minutes is optional. - Testing and procurement: The notice names no vendors, products, quantities, or contract value. Any future operational use or physical testing would require separate Government, host-nation, spectrum, safety, and airspace approvals.

Description

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) Additional Links:G-TEAD SETAF-AF ACE 27-01: C-UAS Fly Away Kit Powered by xTech

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