Soldier Protection Equipment - Vital Torso Protection
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's Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PdM SPE) is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) to identify industry capabilities for Vital Torso Protection (VTP) ballistic armor. Specifically, they seek white papers with supporting test data for a Lightweight Small Arms Protective Insert (LSAPI). Responses are due February 5, 2026.
Scope of Work
PdM SPE aims to gather information on vendors' ability to design and potentially deliver a VTP hard armor plate variant to support the Army's VTP Full Rate Production (FRP) requirements. The Government is interested in two potential material solutions: a mass-efficient hard armor solution and a cost-effective hard armor solution. Key requirements for the ballistic insert include:
- Material: Ceramic-based solution.
- Design: Shooter's Cut in eight standard Army sizes.
- Weight: Less than or equal to four (4) pounds per square foot (PSF). Offerors should justify any deviation if this is unattainable.
- Thickness: Less than or equal to one (1) inch.
- Performance: Must meet current Army Back Face Deformation (BFD) standards. Vendors should focus white paper submissions on two design solutions: 1) a performance-sensitive design exceeding current thresholds with <=4 PSF, and 2) the most cost-efficient solution meeting or exceeding thresholds.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: February 5, 2026
- Published: January 21, 2026
Evaluation
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue one. Responses will be used for internal Government purposes to further develop and/or refine Statement of Work (SOW) requirements and gain a deeper understanding of industrial capabilities.
Additional Notes
White paper submissions are voluntary and will not be compensated. Technical ballistic requirements are available upon request from the PMO for sources with an active facility clearance. Interested parties must request access via SAM, complete a Request for Access Form, and be aware that processing may take multiple days. White papers are limited to twenty (20) pages and must include: Offeror's contact information, capability to meet design requirements, capability to perform a contract of this magnitude (with three examples), detailed description of proposed design solutions (including ballistic performance data, areal density, thickness verification), general cost data for 30,000 plates, supply chain flowchart, subcontractor management methods, minimum/maximum production sustainment quantities, and business type/size. Submissions should be emailed to Ms. Marianne Velez (marianne.e.velez.civ@army.mil) and Ms. Theresa Quick (theresa.s.quick.civ@army.mil).