Center for Strategic Leadership (CSL) Academic and Analytical Wargame Development FY26-30
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Army, MICC-CARLISLE BARRACKS, has issued a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for Academic and Analytical Wargame Development for the Center for Strategic Leadership (CSL) at the U.S. Army War College. This Total Small Business Set-Aside opportunity seeks wargame designers and developers to provide non-personal services for experiential learning and analytical wargames. Quotes are due April 28, 2026, by 8:00 AM EDT.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide wargame design and development capacity for CSL, assisting Army Service Component Commands (ASCCs) and other government agencies. This includes:
- Wargame Design and Planning: Requirement analysis, concept development, research, rules/mechanics design, scenario development, and documentation.
- Wargame Development and Testing: Component creation, prototyping, playtesting, refinement, quality control, and data collection plan development.
- Wargame Execution and Analysis: Facilitation, moderation, data collection oversight, observation, feedback, analysis, and reporting. Specific services include Graphic Design Services (rules writing, scenario, component creation, map/board, prototype preparation) and Educational Support Services (briefing development, facilitation, adjudication support). The effort anticipates requiring two Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs), with 1920 hours allocated for each service type.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- NAICS Code: 541430 (Professional and Commercial Graphic Design Services), Size Standard: $9M
- Product Service Code: U008 (Training/Curriculum Development)
- Period of Performance: A base year (May 1, 2026 - April 30, 2027) with multiple option years extending through April 30, 2030, plus a potential 6-month extension (FAR 52.217-8).
- Place of Performance: Carlisle Barracks, Collins Hall Building 650, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Contractor travel to and from Carlisle Barracks is at the contractor's expense.
Key Requirements & Eligibility
Offerors must have an active SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and possess a minimum SECRET Facility Clearance at the time of offer submission. Personnel performing work must have at least an interim Secret security clearance. Key personnel require a bachelor's degree in game design, computer software design, or a related field, and three years of experience in designing, developing, and facilitating strategic level wargames. Compliance with NIST SP 800-171, OPSEC, and CUI training are mandatory. The government will provide facilities, network access, wargame development materials, equipment (laptops, printers), and Common Access Cards (CACs).
Submission & Evaluation
- Quotes Due: April 28, 2026, by 8:00 AM EDT.
- Questions Due: April 20, 2026, by 5:00 PM EDT.
- Submission Method: Email quotes to Ashley Arensdorf (ashley.i.arensdorf.civ@army.mil) and Bethany L. Flynn (bethany.l.flynn.civ@army.mil).
- Quote Structure: Four separate volumes: General, Technical, Past Performance, and Price.
- Pricing: Utilize the provided quote template. Vendors are explicitly instructed NOT to quote for travel, as it will be authorized and funded separately. Monthly prices are required for Graphic Design and Educational Support services. The 52.217-8 extension will be priced at the Option Year 4 rate.
- Evaluation Criteria: Technical, Past Performance, and Price. Technical and Past Performance are approximately equal in importance and, combined, are more important than Price. An "Acceptable" rating in all non-price factors is required. The government intends to award without discussions.