Capability Program Executive (CPE) Mission Autonomy Commercial Solution Opening (CSO) Area of Interest 002 Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) Autonomous Operations

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 aims to rapidly award contracts for innovative commercial items, technologies, or services to enhance operational readiness and expand the maneuver commander's area of influence. Awards will be structured as fixed-price, potentially including fixed-price incentive fee.

• The CSO is designed to acquire mature platforms, payloads, autonomy solutions, and enabling technologies.

• It may result in awards for immediately available commercial technologies, commercially fueled technologies, concept demonstrations, pilots, and agile development activities.

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

• Contracts may include FAR contracts under FAR Part 12, non-FAR agreements under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, or Cooperative Agreements under 31 U.S.C. § 6305.

• 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 April 15, 2031, with the possibility of extension.

• The process may involve a two or three-phase approach: Phase 1 (Solution Brief), Phase 2 (Presentation, if applicable), and Phase 3 (Request for Commercial Solution Proposal - CSP).

• Solution briefs are limited to five single-sided pages or 15 slides and must include company information, an executive summary, technology concept, Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) price, and any Intellectual Property (IP) details.

• Evaluation criteria for Phase 1 include responsiveness to the AoI, technical merit, and funding availability.

• Phase 2 involves presentations and potential additional written submissions.

• Phase 3 requires a full written proposal (Technical and Price Volumes).

• Proposals will be evaluated based on merit, risk, technical approach, performance schedule, and price.

• Definitions are provided for "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.

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

• All submissions must be Unclassified.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is an Area of Interest (AoI) for a Commercial Solution Opening (CSO) seeking industry approaches to develop, test, and demonstrate innovative autonomous technologies for Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs). The goal is to enhance tactical and logistical dominance by defeating battlefield gaps, specifically through the integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) for autonomous operations. The ultimate objectives are to reduce Soldier exposure during wet gap operations, provide assured freedom of movement, and enable resilient logistics.

User prioritized capabilities include:

• Automated Maneuvering: Safe and automatic approach and connection to an Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) without Soldiers onboard, with a manual override.
• Wireless "Swarming": Control of two BEBs wirelessly as a single unit to maneuver a raft.
• GPS-based Station Keeping: Autonomous holding of a BEB in a fixed position.
• Underwater Hazard Detection: Sensors to identify and flag submerged risks.
• Collision Avoidance: A safety system to prevent collisions, with an operator override.
• Software developed must be distinct and separable from previously developed IP. If not separable from hardware, a hardware kit with embedded software must be delivered.
• Technical Data & Data Rights: Government requires Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for all software, technical data, and interfaces. Offerors must deliver source code, build instructions, interface control documents, and technical data for operation, sustainment, and modification. Data rights assertions for deliverables and background IP must be identified.

Not specified in this document.

• Response Format: Solution Brief.
• Page Limit: 5-10 pages.
• Content Requirements:
  • Detailed Technical Approach addressing each "User Prioritized Capability."
  • List of Proposed Deliverables and a notional schedule.
  • Explanation of Intellectual Property (IP) approach, including proposed rights to technical data and computer software, and addressing Government needs for severable software.
  • Summary of Company Capabilities and relevant past performance.
• Deadline for Phase 1 Submission: 5:00 pm Eastern on 01 June 2026.
• Submission Method: Email to specified Points of Contact.

Not specified in this document.

• AoI Title: Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) Autonomous Operations
• AoI Number: 002
• AoI Release Date: 18 May 2026
• Distribution Statement A: Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.