Request for Information: Close Combat Missile System – Heavy

I) Description

The Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space (M&S) and the Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (TAGM) Project Management Office (PMO) on behalf of the Maneuver Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate (MCDID), is seeking information from industry for the planning, development, and eventual production of the Close Combat Missile System-Heavy (CCMS-H). The government is seeking the submission of technical information papers from industry focusing on current production, production representative, or prototype systems in an All-Up Round configuration, satisfying a vendor determined number of CCMS-H characteristics. This solution must be suitable for integration on currently fielded Tube-Launched, Optically Tracked, Wireless Guided (TOW) ground systems. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.2, we issue this notice as a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI).

The CCMS-H will be used in shaping operations and the close combat fight. The munition should be maneuverable to engage and defeat Tier 1 armored threats and field fortifications in the open or in defilade. Munition attributes include dual command guidance, such as Fire and Forget (F&F), Command-Line of Sight (CLOS), or Semi-Active Laser (SAL) homing, "shoot on the move," reduced time of flight, Counter Active Protection Systems (CAPS), maneuverability, maximized range, and an abort or divert before impact capability. Additionally, the CCMS-H should operate below 3000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) during degraded, denied, and/or Electronic Warfare (EW) contested environments. CCMS-H should incorporate the ability to network during Cooperative Engagements (CE). The CCMS-H guidance system should incorporate reprogrammable target prioritization into the munition while aiding target detection and identification. The munition system should enable semi-simultaneous engagements of multiple threats from single or multiple platforms by a single leader while ensuring distribution of fires and managing over-kill. CCMS-H capability should provide organic close combat anti-armor capability to Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). CCMS-H will initially augment existing stockpiles of the TOW Family of Missiles (FoM), while maintaining compatibility with platforms/launchers. This weapon system does not have formal requirements, but the Army Requirements Oversight Council approved list of desired characteristics serves as the starting point for defining the CCMS-H capability and will guide assessments of production, production representative, or prototype systems and any future potential prototyping efforts. These characteristics can also be used as trade-space if the government or vendor determines it is not feasible to satisfy all characteristics with one model or prototype solution. These desired characteristics outline the capabilities of production, production representative, or prototype systems that can be tested in a relevant environment and utilize TOW form factor in order to facilitate continued utilization of the 4,000+ fielded TOW missile launchers.

II CCMS-H Desired Characteristics

The TAGM PMO will use the submitted White Papers to assess the ability of industry to develop a munition with the following desired characteristics. Characteristics 1- 4 are not tradeable while characteristics 5 -16 can be traded in support of characteristics 1- 4.

DC# Desired Characteristics

1 (U) System Survivability

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should remain fully capable and operable in CBR contaminated environments as a designated CBRN mission critical system; withstand various electromagnetic pulse; operate in a degraded or denied GPS and EW contested environments; provide cybersecurity protection, mitigation, and recovery; and both manually and autonomously moderate electromagnetic emissions. If CCMS-H will rely on GPS/APNT data, one of the following conditions should be met: 1) The system should utilize existing platform GPS/APNT capabilities; or 2) CCMS-H should be capable of receiving M-code and should apply the latest APNT standards at the time of fielding.

2 (U) Sustainment

Threshold: (U) The CCMS-H prototype munition should have the reliability to achieve a successful shot to include conditioning checks, launch, flight, and warhead event to evaluate the desired characteristics (DC3 - DC16). Reliability of production CCMS-H should meet or exceed currently fielded TOW weapon system successful flight requirements after 10 yr. storage. CCMS-H production systems should meet all standards for transportation, storage, and handling requirements of the current TOW FoM. [.91 reliability at 80% confidence Specified for RFI use only]

3 (U) Lethality - (Armor)

Threshold: (U) The CCMS-H should defeat current and future Tier-1 armored threats equipped with soft and hard-kill active protection systems from all aspects while adversary is stationary, moving, and in defilade (top attack).

4 (U) Form Factor

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should launch from existing TOW Missile Launchers, stow in existing TOW missile racks, and should not exceed the weight of the latest version of the TOW missile.

5 (U) Cooperative Engagements (CE)

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should participate in CE using current and future networks. The CCMS-H capability should attack a target identified by an off-platform sensor (other platforms, Soldier-borne, UAS, etc.).

6 (U) Guidance/Fire Control

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should allow multiple guidance modes (command line of sight; fire and forget [lock-on before/after launch]) while providing two-way communication between the munition and the fire control system.

7 (U) Range

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should maintain a minimal range of 65 meters, direct fire range of 4500 meters, and a cooperative engagement enabled range of equal to or greater than 8000 meters while maintaining a parabolic arc below 3000 feet above ground level (AGL). The munition should maintain sufficient endurance to abort, divert, and adjust munition flight.

8 (U) Engagement Time

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should reduce engagement time to 4,000 meters as compared to current capabilities.

9 (U) Lethality -(Field Fortifications)

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should defeat NATO standard earth and timber bunkers.

10 (U) Lethality (Urban Structures)

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should create an entry hole in a NATO standard double-reinforced concrete (DRC) wall. Ideally, a single munition should create a hole sufficient for a Soldier equipped with organizational clothing and individual equipment to fit through it. [30 in. wide by 50 in. high specified for RFI use only]

11 (U) Protection (Launch Signature)

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should minimize audible and visual signatures to prevent detection.

12 (U) Shoot on the Move

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should be able to shoot on the move for those combat platforms with stabilized launchers.

13 (U) Aided Target Detection

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should provide aided target detection to enhance mission decision-making while the munition is in flight.

14 (U) Volley Fire

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should support volley fire engagements coordinated by a single leader.

15 (U) Programmable Target Prioritization

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should accept a Pre-Launch Target Engagement List provided by the fire control system.

16 (U) Overlapping Engagements

Threshold: (U) CCMS-H should provide the ability to engage near-simultaneous single/multiple targets without interference to other missiles.

*Note: the order of characteristics 5-16 does not indicate or define priority or perceived value.

III. Technical Information Paper (TIP) Description

Based on the above scope of effort and technical characteristics, the TAGM PMO is requesting the following information:

1. A detailed system description to include the munition and its weight, size, required power, sensors, and warhead type.
2. Operational concept of weapon(s) with a description of the envisioned kill chain including all platforms that would be capable of firing the weapon(s).
3. An assessment of system performance against each Desired Characteristic. Identify DCs that are met, exceeded, or not met. Provide an approach to meet the DCs not current met if applicable to the system.
4. Weapon mechanical, electrical, and communications interfaces, whether these interfaces support modular open system architecture, all supported communication networks, and compatibility with current TOW Launch Systems.
5. Lethality and survivability against the intended targets.
6. Engagement capabilities that include engagement time, minimum and maximum ranges, impact accuracy, regret avoidance capability, and collateral damage mitigation.
7. Environmental survivability (MIL-STD-810H) in worldwide conditions (Army Regulation 70-38).
8. Identify proposed monthly or annual minimum and maximum production rates and a ROM unit cost at each rate. Provide a ROM unit cost for production at 1000 munitions per year.
9. Logistics requirements to include, but not limited to (supply, maintenance, transportation, shelf life, training).
10. Software and hardware integration impacts to the existing fleet of Army platforms.
11. Human factors required for weapons/ordnance handling and employment.
12. An assessment of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of the product including key subsystems such as guidance and sensor mechanisms employed; propulsion, datalink, safe, arm, and fire device; etc. Substantiate TRL claims with descriptions of test and evaluation events associated with weapon design. Substantiate MRL assessment according to the criteria in the DoD MRL Deskbook 2018.
13. Description of the proposed plan to ensure the system meets or exceeds all cyber security requirements.
14. Description of the intellectual property and proposed government rights of this system.
15. Modeling and Simulation data to support the munitions claimed capabilities.
16. Indicate readiness and willingness to participate in a U.S government sponsored capability demonstration No Earlier Than (NET) 3QFY24 and No Later Than (NLT) 3QFY25.
17. System performance data to the extent available and relevant test data demonstrating the performance. Video evidence can be submitted and must not exceed 10 GB cumulatively.
18. An assessment of system Insensitive Munitions (IM) Compliance. Substantiate IM compliance claims with descriptions of test and evaluation events associated with weapon design.
19. Identify any current Exportability restrictions or caveats and provide an assessment of future exportability concerns.

Technical Information Paper (TIP) responses to this RFI are not-to-exceed 50 single-sided pages in length on 8.5 x 11 paper with font size no smaller than Arial 10. Responses on compact disc (CD) must be submitted via postal mail. Test data or reports substantiating the performance, TRL, and MRL should be included as attachments. TIP and attachments are limited to 100 pages and audio/video files can be no more than 30 minutes in total. All information must be readable by Microsoft (MS) Word 2016, MS Excel 2016, or Adobe Acrobat and be provided with proper markings for classified and proprietary information. If your submittal contains classified information, it should be properly labeled, handled, and transmitted in accordance with the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM).

Responses should include:

1. Company Name, CAGE Code, DUNS number, Company Address, and Place of Performance Address
2. Point of contact, including: name, title, phone, and email address
3. Size of company, average annual revenue for the past three years, and number of employees
4. Whether the business is classified as a Large Business, Small Business (including Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and Indian tribes), Veteran Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, or HUBZone Small Business. Small Disadvantaged Business (including ANCs and Indian tribes), or Women-Owned Small Business.

All respondents are encouraged to submit any questions regarding this RFI by close of business within 15 calendar days of the RFI release date. Please submit questions regarding this announcement in writing by e-mail to Roland Carter, roland.j.carter2.civ@army.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted to SAM.gov. No extensions to the RFI response or question period will be granted.

Requests for government owned data such as Interface Control documents, dimensions and dimensional drawings, etc. should be submitted by e-mail to Roland Carter, roland.j.carter2.civ@army.mil. Release of government owned data will be subject to current distribution statements, Controlled Unclassified Information markings, and export requirements.

UNCLASSIFIED RFI responses should be submitted by postal mail. All responses must be postmarked by 22 August 2022, and submitted to:

U.S. Army Contracting Command-Redstone

CCAM-TM-T/ATTN: Roland Carter

100 Secured Gateway

INDUSTRY DAY NOTICE:

The Office of the Project Manager, Tactical Aviation and Ground Munitions (PM TAGM) will be hosting a virtual Industry Day on 20 October 2022 for Industry in follow up to the Close Combat Weapon System Heavy (CCMS-H) Request for Information (RFI).Companies interested in attending Industry Day must submit the following information to the Industry Day POC no later than 1600 CDT on 3 October 2022. Registration Point of Contact (POC), Ms. Staci Doss at email: staci.r.doss.civ@army.mil. Please review the attached title "Close Combat System - Heavy Industry Day Notice" attachment for the exact details.