GLOBAL TACTICAL EDGE ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE (G-TEAD) ACCELERATED CAPABILITY EVENT (ACE)

This SAM notice is to highlight G-TEAD ACE #4 - xTech | Kinetic Reach. 

G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities (previously communicated as the Marketplace, name change pending): 

• Accelerated Capability Event #4 - Prize Challenge Path (Prize Competition #4 - xTech | Kinetic Reach See https://www.xtech.army.mil for official response date. 

• Alternate Pathway (previously communicated as the Demonstrated Experience Entry Path (DEEP), name change pending): PENDING – No planned announcement date. We greatly appreciate the immense interest we have received from the Defense Industrial Base in joining the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities. Please do NOT email or inquire about the Alternate Pathway at this time. No action will be taken if you submit information. 

Description

The U.S. Army announces the launch of the Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) Library of Competed Capabilities, a flexible acquisition vehicle and innovation platform designed to accelerate delivery of operationally ready (TRL 6+) equipment and software to the Army and U.S. Army Service Component Commands (USASCCs) and allied/partner nations.

The G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities utilizes Accelerated Capability Events (ACEs) via including, but not limited to, Prize Challenge events (e.g., Army xTech Program) and Alternate Pathway submissions through open call announcements to create a competitive, compliant, and scalable acquisition framework. Vendors who qualify will have their capabilities added to the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities and remain eligible for rapid follow-on contracts, agreements, or Orders without the need for further competition.

This SAM notice is to highlight ACE #4 - xTech | Kinetic Reach.  Selected vendors will receive prize funds, demonstrate solutions in Germany, may leave behind kits for follow-on operational evaluation, and may be awarded a Prototype OT Agreement (10 USC 4022) with 10 USC 4022 (f) - Follow-on Production Contracts or Transactions included. Winners will be onboarded into the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities for potential follow-on procurement following the planned event. In addition, G-TEAD provides funding to ASCC commanders to select one or two of the winners to purchase capabilities for deployment. Vendors that leave behind equipment may be offered a Master Business Agreement for potential follow-on procurement by ASCC units. 

Goals

• Accelerate warfighter-relevant technology fielding.
• Ensure competition requirements are satisfied up front, enabling direct ordering.
• Provide a unified environment for U.S., NATO, and partners.
• Enable compliant acquisition pathways to include via FAR, OTs (10 USC 4021, 4022, 4023), BAAs, CSOs, and 10 USC 4025 (Prize Competitions).
• Support Foreign Military Sales and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) for allied/partner nations.

Vendor On-Ramp Pathways via ACEs:

• Prize Challenge Pathway: Vendors compete in prize-based challenges (e.g. xTech competition), receive initial prize funding, demonstrate solutions in designated regions, and qualify to onboard into G-TEAD Marketplace.
• Alternate Pathway: Future notices will be used to issue calls for Submission via Alternate Pathway. The Alternate Pathway release is PENDING with no announcement date planned at this time. We greatly appreciate the immense interest we have received from the Defense Industrial Base in joining the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities. Please do NOT email or inquire about the Alternate Pathway at this time. No action will be taken if you submit information. 
• We expect to execute multiple ACEs annually. Previous efforts were xTech Counter Strike and xTech | Edge Strike: Ground in partnership with USAREUR-AF.  This reactivated SAM notice is to highlight ACE #4 - Prize Competition #4 - xTech | Kinetic Reach.   

Post-Competition Procurement Channels

• Army Direct: Army Contracting Command executes Contracts or Orders.
• FMS: Partner nations via DSCA/ACC or other designated ordering authority contracting activities.
• Direct Foreign Purchases: U.S. vendors via DCS; foreign vendors via national processes.
• Decentralized Procurement: Army PAEs or other Army, DoD, or U.S. agencies / activities with Contracting and Procurement authority.

Initial ACEs:

xTech Prize Challenge #1: Counter Strike (concluded Nov. 2025)

xTech Prize Challenge #2: Edge Strike: Ground (concluded April 2026)

xTech Prize Challenge #4: Kinetic Reach (LIVE as of 5 June 2026)

New ACEs will be issued as additional focus areas are identified.

Submission Instructions for ACEs

• Prize Challenge Pathway: Register and submit for the xTech | Kinetic Reach at https://www.xtech.army.mil.
• Alternate Pathway: Future notices will be used to issue calls for Submission via the Alternate Pathway (PENDING).
• Others: TBD based on ACE

Authorities Used (not all-inclusive)

• FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) – Contracts
• 10 USC 4021 – Research Other Transaction (OT)
• 10 USC 4022 – Prototype Other Transaction (OT)
• 10 USC 4022 (f) - Follow-on Production Contracts or Transactions 
• 10 USC 4023 – Procurement for Experimental Purposes
• 10 USC 4025 – Prize Competitions
• 10 USC 3458 – Commercial Solutions Openings (CSO)
• 48 CFR § 35.016 – Broad Agency Announcements (BAA)

Points of Contact

• Technical POC: MAJ Brian Jernigan, brian.k.jernigan3.mil@army.mil
• Contracting POC (409th CSB): Mr. Chris Paitson, john.c.paitson.civ@army.mil,
                                                    Mr. Aaron Ritter, aaron.m.ritter.civ@army.mil
• Capability Lead (G-TEAD): Ms. Traci Williams, traci.b.williams.civ@army.mil,
                                              MAJ Cody Lucas, joseph.c.lucas.mil@army.mil,
   

2. Vendor Submission Guidance

Please refer to the xTech | Kinetic Reach Competition submission form (https://www.xtech.army.mil).

3. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)     

Q1: What is the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities (name change pending)?
A: Is an ASA(ALT) initiative to accelerate testing and experimentation directly aligned with the warfighter to provide capability at the speed of war. The G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities will incorporate contracting and innovative acquisitions strategies in a platform enabling U.S., NATO, and partners to acquire TRL 6+ solutions rapidly through pre-competed vendor onboarding tied directly to direct user feedback and exercises.

Q2: How does this differ from xTech?
A: xTech is one of the Prize Challenge ACE onramps into the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities. Vendors selected through ACEs, such as xTech Prize Challenge competitions (e.g. xTech Counter Strike, xTech Edge Strike: Ground, or xTech Kinetic Reach) are onboarded into the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities for future contracts/orders/agreements.

Q3: Can foreign companies participate?
A: Yes, subject to export and security compliance, and provided they are not from a Foreign Country of Concern (FCOC).

Q4: What happens after G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities onboarding?
A: Vendors are listed in the G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities (PENDING), visible to Army, NATO, and partner buyers, and eligible for direct contracts/orders without additional competition.

Q5: What authorities will be used to place orders?
A: Contracts/Orders/Agreements may be executed under the authorities listed in section 1 above or via FMS/DCS channels.

4. Draft Timeline

The official timeline for the xTech Kinetic Reach Competition will be detailed in the link above. A draft timeline for the process is below:

• 5 – 24 June 2026: xTech Kinetic Reach White Paper submission window
• August 2026: Down select notification for finalists
• 1-24 November 2026: xTech Kinetic Reach Soldier Exercise event in Germany
• November 2026: Final prize awards announced; vendors onboarded to G-TEAD Library of Competed Capabilities
• 2 – 18 December 2026: Opportunity to submit direct to Phase II SBIR Proposal
• 30 November 2026 – 31 March 2027: Opportunity for OTA Agreement