Notice of Intent to Sole Source: JBTDS
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 Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for the Full Rate Production (FRP) of the Joint Biological Tactical Detection System (JBTDS). The agency contemplates awarding an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems (CSES). This action is a logical follow-on to previous development and low-rate production phases. Industry is advised that this is not a Request for Quote/Proposals, but an opportunity to express interest if capable of providing similar capabilities. Responses are due by March 26, 2026.
Scope of Work
The JBTDS provides Joint Forces with a mission-critical capability for sustained operations in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) environments and for force protection. It is described as the only militarized, tactical, lightweight biological surveillance system designed for rapid detection, collection, identification, and warning of Biological Warfare agents. The system is man-portable, battery-operable, and features a modular architecture (Detector/Collector, Identifier, Data Station) for flexible deployment.
The FRP scope encompasses:
- Production of JBTDS units
- Quality assurance and testing
- Configuration management
- Logistics support
- Delivery of the production-representative Technical Data Package (TDP)
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
- Duration: Single thirty-six (36) month ordering period
- Planned Award: FY26
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source Intent)
- Response Due: March 26, 2026
- Published: March 11, 2026
This contract is contingent upon Full Rate Production (FRP) Decision approval in accordance with the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF). This action represents the logical follow-on to contract W911QY-15-C-0035, under which CSES executed the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) phases.
Contact Information
- Primary: Emily McGill (emily.c.mcgill.civ@army.mil)
- Secondary: Jemel Hogan (jemel.m.hogan.civ@army.mil)