Missile Defense Agency - NOBLE Announcement: Shipborne Phased Array Instrumentation Radar (SPAIR) for Flight Testing Support
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 Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has issued a Solicitation under its Nimble Options for Buying Layered Effects (NOBLE) Announcement to procure a prototype Shipborne Phased Array Instrumentation Radar (SPAIR). This radar will support MDA flight testing by collecting data from a ship-based platform. The procurement leverages Other Transaction for Prototype (OT) authority (10 U.S.C. §4022) and is structured in two phases: Phase I for design development and Phase II for full prototype development, delivery, and integration. Proposals are due July 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM CDT.
Scope of Work
The primary objective is to deliver a prototype SPAIR integrated into a ship-based platform, capable of missile defense flight test tracking, multi-target tracking and discrimination, autonomous acquisition, and metric/signature data collection. Key requirements include:
- Developing a full design (System Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review).
- Integrating the radar into the ship design.
- Utilizing an X-band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) architecture.
- Leveraging proven Commercial/Government-Off-The-Shelf (COTS/GOTS) technologies, existing X-band production lines, and ensuring long-term sustainment (20+ years).
Contract Details
- Type: Other Transaction for Prototype agreement (Fixed Price).
- Authority: 10 U.S.C. §4022, under MDA's NOBLE Announcement.
- Phases:
- Phase I: Up to 18 months, anticipated total value not to exceed $60M, for design development.
- Phase II: 4 years for prototype development, delivery, installation, integration, testing, and achieving Initial/Final Operational Capability, with potential for four (4) 1-year options for operations and maintenance.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
Eligibility & Submission
- Eligibility: Offerors must possess an active SECRET (or higher) Facility Clearance (FCL) with a SECRET (or higher) Safeguarding Level. Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and submission of a Business Qualification Form are also required.
- Proposal Due: July 17, 2026, at 4:00 PM Central Daylight Time (CDT).
- Inquiries: Accepted through June 26, 2026.
- Offeror's Library: Access to CUI data requires an active SECRET FCL. FSOs should email company name, address, FSO contact, and CAGE Code to
mda.spair@mail.milto request access. - Communication: All communications should be Unclassified and sent to
mda.spair@mail.mil.
Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Relevant past performance.
- Technical Feasibility and Maturity of Solution.
- Schedule for Phase I and II.
- Operations and Maintenance Concept.
- Pricing. Proposals will be categorized as Highly Recommended, Recommended, or Not Recommended for each criterion and overall.