Capability Program Executive (CPE) Mission Autonomy Commercial Solution Opening (CSO) Area of Interest 001 Unmanned Ground Vehicle Last Tactical Mile Sustainment and Casualty Evacuation

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Area of Interest (AoI) 001 for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) and CASEVAC, dated April 21, 2026.

• Submission Format: PowerPoint presentations are acceptable for solution briefs, not exceeding 15 slides, as an alternative to a 5-page written document.
• UGV Origin: UGVs do not need to be 100% U.S. origin but must comply with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA) or Buy American Act (BAA). Foreign-owned businesses may participate but may require necessary clearances.
• ITAR: The items fall under ITAR.
• Quantities & Funding: Government funding and vehicle quantity reviews are ongoing; an approximate number is not available. Transparency regarding timelines and available quantities in Solution Briefs is appreciated.
• Manufacturer Diversity: The government anticipates Solution Briefs to incorporate individual company capabilities. Discussions on manufacturer diversity may occur in Phase 2.
• Set-Asides: No set-asides will be used for this contract; the intent is to solicit innovative solutions.
• New Companies: New companies are permitted to compete; no restrictions apply beyond those outlined in the CSO and AoI.
• Font Requirements: Graphics, tables, charts, headers, and footers can be excluded from the 12-point font requirement if they remain readable.
• Distinction from "Project Sustainment": This CSO's AoI is distinct from the "project sustainment" opportunity, focusing on the "Last Tactical Mile" and cross-terrain capabilities.
• Technical Exchange: Individual company discussions are not being entertained at this time.
• Dual Submissions: Submitting separate, distinct concepts as both a prime contractor and a subcontractor under a different prime is permissible.

These clarifications confirm acceptable submission formats, UGV origin requirements, ITAR applicability, and eligibility for new companies. They also distinguish this AoI from a previous "project sustainment" effort and permit dual submissions if concepts are distinct.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Commercial Solution Opening (CSO) seeks innovative solutions for an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) designed for the "last tactical mile" to support maneuver formations. The UGV will be used for delivering essential supplies/energy and for casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) of wounded personnel from the point of injury to a casualty collection point. The UGV must be dual-use, configurable for dynamic needs, and capable of teleoperation, autonomous navigation, and beyond-line-of-sight communications.

• Sustainment: Deliver essential supplies and energy to maneuver formations.

• CASEVAC: Autonomously transport at least two (2) casualties from point of injury to a designated collection point without causing additional harm.

• Configurability: Feature a configurable payload and modular cargo area with accessible power and data connections.

• Autonomy & Navigation: Capable of autonomous navigation across diverse terrains, including areas without GPS, and support situational awareness.

• Communications: Maintain reliable beyond-line-of-sight communications with supported units.

• Integration: Support integration with networked operational environments and be interoperable with current and future command and control systems, providing open APIs.

• Stealth: Minimize detectable signatures and emissions during operations.

• This is a CSO AoI, not an obligation to extend a request or make an award.

• Awards are subject to availability of funds and successful negotiations.

• Authority derived from 10 U.S.C. § 3458.

• Phase 1: Submit a written solution brief via email by 28 April 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

• Submission Email: andrew.p.manning4.civ@army.mil (cc: sarah.c.benkoff.civ@army.mil)

• Subject Line: "Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Last Tactical Mile Sustainment and Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC)"

• Phase 2: Companies with meritorious Phase 1 briefs will be invited for a presentation.

• AoI Open Period: Closes 28 April 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov).

• CSO AoI: Andrew Manning, (586) 879-4381, andrew.p.manning4.civ@army.mil

• Contract Specialist: Sarah Benkoff, (571) 588-8820, sarah.c.benkoff.civ@army.mil

• "Innovative" is defined as any new technology, process, or method, or new application of an existing one.

• The Government reserves the right to modify requirements.

• Solution briefs received after the deadline will be discarded.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) by the Capability Program Executive (CPE) Mission Autonomy for the Department of the Army. The CSO is a streamlined acquisition process designed for rapid award decisions to procure innovative commercial items, technologies, or services. The goal is to expedite the delivery of critical technologies to enhance operational readiness and the effectiveness of manned close combat formations.

• The CSO may result in awards for innovative, commercial technologies through multi-phased, competitive processes.

• Potential areas include: immediately available commercial technologies, commercially available technologies fueled by commercial or strategic investment, concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities.

• Specific Areas of Interest (AoIs) will be posted separately and will define the detailed requirements.

• Contracts or agreements awarded will be structured as fixed-price, potentially including fixed-price incentive fee.

• The period of performance for any solution brief or CSP is generally no greater than 12 months, unless otherwise specified in the AoI.

• The CSO is open for potential awards through 15 April 2031, with the possibility of extension.

• The process may involve up to three phases: Phase 1 (Solution Brief), Phase 2 (Presentation, if applicable), and Phase 3 (Request for Commercial Solution Proposal - CSP).

• Phase 1: Solution briefs have specific page/slide limits and must include company information, executive summary, technology concept, ROM price, and IP details. Evaluation is based on responsiveness, technical merit, and funding availability.

• Phase 2: If invited, companies provide a presentation detailing their solution's technical and business viability.

• Phase 3: Selected companies may be invited to submit a full written proposal (Technical and Price Volumes).

• Key deadlines will be specified within individual AoIs.

• The document defines "Nontraditional Defense Contractor" and "Small Business Concerns."

• Foreign-owned businesses may submit independently or as part of a teaming arrangement with U.S.-owned businesses.

• Companies must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and the Government invoicing system to receive an award.

• All submissions must be Unclassified.

• The Government reserves the right to modify the CSO process, including forgoing phases or moving expeditiously.

• Costs incurred for preparing submissions are not directly reimbursable.

• Contact information for the CSO POC and Contracting/Agreements Officer is provided.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Commercial Solution Opening (CSO) Area of Interest (AoI) seeks innovative solutions for an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) designed for the "last tactical mile" to support maneuver formations. The UGV will be used for both sustaining formations by delivering essential supplies/energy and for Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) of wounded personnel from the point of injury to a casualty collection point. The goal is to enhance mission success and force protection in a challenging battlefield environment.

• Dual Use: Capable of both sustainment (delivering supplies/energy) and CASEVAC.

• Configurable Payload: Must accommodate dynamic needs of maneuver formations.

• Autonomous Capabilities: Teleoperation, autonomous navigation, and beyond-line-of-sight communications.

• Reconfiguration: Minimal reconfiguration required between sustainment and CASEVAC roles.

• CASEVAC Specifics: Capable of transporting at least two (2) casualties without causing additional harm; modular cargo area with accessible power and data connections.

• Navigation: Operate autonomously across diverse terrains, including areas without GPS; support situational awareness.

• Stealth: Minimize detectable signatures and emissions, especially during final approach.

• Integration: Support integration with networked operational environments and current/future command and control systems; provide open and exposed APIs for common control and mission autonomy applications.

• Innovation: Solutions should be new as of the proposal submission date or a new application of existing technology.

• The Contracting/Agreements Officer is not obligated to extend a request or make an award.

• Awards/agreements are subject to availability of funds and successful negotiations.

• This CSO AoI is not an authorization to begin performance; costs incurred by the Offeror are not reimbursable.

• Performance will commence upon issuance of a written directive or contractual document.

• Submission Deadline: Written solution brief due by 28 April 2026, 5:00pm ET.

• Submission Method: Via e-mail to andrew.p.manning4.civ@army.mil, with sarah.c.benkoff.civ@army.mil in carbon copy. Subject line must state: "Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Last Tactical Mile Sustainment and Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC)".

• Evaluation: Solution briefs received after the deadline will be discarded and not evaluated.

• Phase 2: Companies with meritorious solution briefs may be invited for a Phase 2 presentation.

• Companies must be registered in the System for Award Maintenance (www.sam.gov).

• CSO AoI: Andrew Manning, andrew.p.manning4.civ@army.mil, (586) 879-4381

• Contract Specialist: Sarah Benkoff, sarah.c.benkoff.civ@army.mil, (571) 588-8820