RFI: MOBILE CAMOUFLAGE SYSTEMS

1. Objective: This Request for Information (RFI) is issued to request information from private entities (academic, non-profit and commercial) regarding capabilities related to passive applique Mobile Camouflage Systems for military combat vehicle platforms. This RFI is for market research and planning purposes only, and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to award an agreement, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited.  Section 13 below contains two subsections, 13.A and 13.B, documenting requirements associated with the two principal focus areas of this RFI. Respondents may submit information pertaining to subsection 13.A, 13.B, or both, according to their capabilities. There is no disadvantage to a respondent focusing only on one subsection: the Government values insight into a respondent’s capabilities even limited to only one focus area. 

2. Background: Ground combat vehicles are increasingly vulnerable to a wide range of modern threats, including sophisticated multi-spectral sensors, satellite and ground-based radar, precision-guided munitions, and unmanned aerial systems. Traditional static camouflaging methods are not applicable when vehicles are moving or operating in dynamic environments, leaving them susceptible to detection and engagement. The Army requires a robust Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) to significantly reduce vehicle signatures across the electromagnetic spectrum – from visual and infrared to radar – enabling enhanced survivability, mission effectiveness, and freedom of maneuver in contested operational spaces. This capability is critical for mitigating risks to soldiers and maintaining a decisive advantage on the battlefield.

Beyond paint, the current methods of protecting combat vehicles on the move, or in hasty halt positions, include affixing either organic material, like freshly-cut branches, or scraps of Ultra-Lightweight Camouflage Net System (ULCANS) netting to the top and sides of the vehicles’ exterior. Neither of these methods provide the durable signature suppression that is required for ensured soldier survivability on todays near-constant ISR battlefield.

The currently fielded ULCANS Increment I netting provides a vast capability increase in protecting vehicles in stationary positions. ULCANS Increment I provides signature suppression throughout the entire spectrum to include NIR, SWIR, MWIR, LWIR and radar protection. The system provides effective multi-spectral concealment performance in stationary situations, but there is a current capability gap for vehicles and equipment that are on the move, or in a hasty halt position.

Mobile Camouflage is required for combat vehicles in active engagement scenarios – both offensive and defensive. Static and Mobile Camouflage work together as complimentary protection systems and provide decisive and superior protection for vehicles in battle positions and stationary environments.

3. Requirements: For camouflage performance, the US Army needs to mitigate (or conceal assets to prevent detection from) as wide an array of the electromagnetic spectrum as possible, across all operational terrains and environments. The MCS solution must also be interoperable with host vehicle platforms, not impeding the full use of the platform or any of its integrated capabilities.  

An effective Mobile Camouflage Solution is required to enable combat vehicle protection and survivability against current peer and near-peer threats. This capability is required to enhance platform & crew survivability by improving multispectral concealment in any geographical theater, without hindering operational capabilities. MCS solutions will provide operational units with layered protection and concealment against long-range precision fires, drones, ground, aerial, and satellite threats. Once installed, MCS solutions will require limited soldier interaction to be effective.  For this effort, the Army’s primary platforms of interest are all relevant variants of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Abrams, Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, and the Bradley Fire Support Team Vehicle.

An MCS solution must be fully interoperable with the host vehicle platform and meet full signature management requirements. 

A. System Integration, Operational Performance & Interoperability:

• Mobility: The system must not impede vehicle mobility, maneuverability, or operational capabilities. The system must be designed such that a vehicle operator and maintainer are able to perform their duties with minimal impact.
• Platform Compatibility: Adaptable to a variety of vehicle platforms (tanks, IFVs, trucks, etc.)
• Integration with Existing Systems: Compatibility with existing integrated systems on combat platforms to include weapons systems, active/passive protection, targeting, etc.
• Passive Applique System: A passive (non-powered, non-active) integrated, applique solution that is able to be installed and removed from the host platform. Integration components should be semi-permanent and not require permanent modifications to the host platform.
• Rapid Deployment/Removal: Should be deployable and removable quickly (minutes, not hours) with minimal soldier effort, ideally without specialized tools or extensive training.
• Environmental Durability: Withstand harsh environmental conditions including temperature extremes (cold weather and desert heat), rain, snow, mud/dust, UV exposure, and mechanical abrasion.
• Maintainability: Easy to inspect, repair, and maintain in field conditions.
• Weight & Size: Minimize added weight and bulk to the vehicle.

B. Signature Management

• Multi-Spectral Concealment: Suppress signatures across the full electromagnetic spectrum:
  • Visual, Near-Infrared (NIR), Shortwave Infrared, Midwave Infrared, Longwave Infrared
  • General Radar performance (1-100 GHz) as well as performance against Synthetic Aperture Radar (1-40 GHz)
• Thermal Signature Reduction: Reduce the thermal signature emanating from key vehicle components, particularly:
  • Exhaust systems, Engine compartments, Braking systems/Hubs, Wheels/Tracks
• Shape & Profile Disruption: Visually and spectrally break up the vehicle’s recognizable shape to hinder identification and targeting

4. Information Requested: Interested vendors are requested to provide information addressing the following areas.  Responses should be concise and focused.  Please limit responses to no more than 20 pages.

• Description of relevant technologies and capabilities and potential approaches to achieving the requirements outlined above.
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the proposed technology, per the TRL level definitions found in Attachment “40458 TRL Descriptions”.  TRL should be given for the signature management solution as well as for the hardware integration solution that will affix the camouflage to the platform.
• A high-level overview of your organization’s research, development, manufacturing, and past performance related to this capability.
• Estimated cost range for development of a solution addressing these requirements.
• Manufacturing capability and the ability to produce MCS systems at scale while meeting the requirements outlined in the Berry Amendment.
• Ability to meet the requirement of all aspects of and R&D and production effort to be conducted by U.S. Citizens only

5. Submission Instructions: Responses should be submitted via email to the following POCs with a Subject Line of Responding Organization - MCS RFI.

• William Feather, Lead Engineer – william.m.feather.civ@army.mil
• Christopher Dugre, APM - christopher.a.dugre.civ@army.mil
• Clinton McAdams, Project Engineer - clinton.b.mcadams.civ@army.mil

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.

6.   Sources Sought Disclaimer: Interested parties are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Announcement. THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT ONLY. This Sources Sought Announcement is issued solely for information and planning purposes and to identify interested sources. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. This Sources Sought does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue RFP in the future. It is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Further, unsolicited proposals will not be accepted. Funding is not available at this time. The United States Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this Sources Sought Announcement should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Response to this Sources Sought Announcement is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this and any follow-on information requests. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Not responding to this Sources Sought Announcement does not preclude participation in any future RFP if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this subject.

 7. Administration: The Government will retain comments and information received in response to this RFI. Proprietary information should be identified as “Company Proprietary”. Do not use Government security classification markings.