Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) Family of Systems (FoS) program- Request for Prototype Proposal
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 Navy / NAVSEA HQ is seeking proposals for the Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) Family of Systems (FoS) program under a Request for Prototype Proposal. This initiative aims to accelerate the design, development, and demonstration of MUSV capabilities through Other Transaction Authority (OTA), focusing on an MUSV autonomy and vessel performance test. Proposals are due April 17, 2026.
Purpose & Scope
The Navy's Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic and Autonomous Systems (PAE RAS) is leveraging 10 U.S.C. § 4022 to award prototype projects for MUSVs. The primary objective is to complete an MUSV autonomy and vessel performance test by the end of fiscal year 2026. This involves developing adaptable and resilient solutions for unmanned surface vessels capable of autonomous operation and carrying containerized payloads.
Key Requirements
Offerors must propose solutions meeting specific threshold requirements, including:
- Vessel Performance: 2500 nm range at 25 knots with a 25 MT payload in NATO STANAG 4194 Sea State 4.
- Payload Capacity: Two (2) Forty-foot Equivalent Units (FEU).
- Autonomy: Day/night operations in varying weather, COLREGs compliant, with pre-defined behaviors and RF emissions control.
- Refueling: 2,000 gallons/minute via deck connections.
- Seakeeping: Open ocean operation in Sea State 5, survivable in Sea State 7, and ABS standard compliance.
- Test Event: Conduct an on-water MUSV Test Event, starting and ending in a Continental United States (CONUS) port, with a test report due by September 30, 2026. Desired attributes include fielding 5-10 operational MUSVs in FY27, open architecture, advanced C2 capabilities, and 250 kW payload power.
Contract Details
Awards will be made as Prototype Other Transaction (OT) Agreements. The estimated value for the initial prototype work is approximately $15,010,000, covering a Post-Award Conference ($10,000) and the MUSV Test Event ($15,000,000). The base agreement is for three years with two one-year options. Successful prototypes may lead to a follow-on production contract or transaction.
Eligibility & Submission
This opportunity has no traditional set-aside but requires offerors to meet at least one of the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) conditions under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d):
- Significant participation by a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution.
- All significant participants are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors.
- At least one-third of the total project cost is paid by non-Federal Government sources. Teaming is encouraged, and only one proposal per prime company is allowed. Proposals must be submitted electronically via email by April 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Local Time (Washington, DC). Hard copies will not be accepted.
Evaluation Factors
Proposals will undergo a two-phase evaluation, focusing on:
- Proposed Business Model (informational only).
- Vessel Solution Design.
- Manufacturing Readiness.
- Plan for Test Execution. Proposals must be unclassified, single-spaced, 12pt Times New Roman, with 1-inch margins.
Important Notes & Clarifications
The deadline for questions was April 4, 2026. Clarifications confirm that refueling requirements are for deck connections, open architecture is flexible, and all test events must originate and conclude in a CONUS port. Offerors must have a CAGE code and be registered in SAM.gov.