Next Generation Undersea Security Initiative (NG-USI)

Synopsis: This is a solicitation for parties interested in participating in projects sought by the Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) for state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities for the Next Generation Undersea Security Initiative (NG-USI). NG-USI is established to meet requirements in the following Focus Areas of Interest: Focus Area #1: Signal Mitigation – OPNAV/N975 Prototype technologies that may mitigate the generation, radiation, propagation, and scatter of a variety of signal types (acoustic, chemical, optical, electromagnetic, radiological, hydrodynamic, and cyber) associated with submarine and unmanned system operations, to include both peacetime and wartime operations. Focus Area #2: Comprehensive Counter-Unmanned Systems (C-UXS) – Nuclear Weapons Surety (NWS) & OPNAV/N975 Prototype technologies to detect, track, identify, deny, and defeat unmanned systems across all domains (aerial, surface, underwater, and ground). This area seeks scalable solutions for shore-based installations and afloat operations in Port, Harbor, Littoral, and Waterways (PHLW) and open ocean environments. (Examples include: kinetic/non-kinetic effectors, electronic warfare/jamming, and physical denial systems such as advanced netting or modular infrastructure shielding). Focus Area #3: Defeating Adversarial Autonomy & AI – NWS Prototype technologies to effectively counter hostile Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities. Solutions should focus on defeating autonomous swarms, disrupting AI-enabled Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) directed at nuclear facilities, and hardening strategic security networks against AI-driven cyber-physical attacks or spoofing. Focus Area #4: Next-Generation Electronic Security Systems (ESS) & Sensor Fusion - NWS Prototype and integrate novel Electronic Security Systems (ESS) to modernize perimeter and interior defense for strategic weapons facilities. Solutions must provide multi-layered intrusion detection, perform reliably in all weather conditions, significantly reduce false alarm rates, and seamlessly integrate into existing command and control nodes to automate alerts for response forces. Focus Area #5: Enhanced Access Control & Security Screening - NWS Prototype technologies for advanced personnel and vehicle screening to ensure rapid, zero-failure access control at strategic facility perimeters. This area calls for high-fidelity detection of contraband, explosives, radiological threats, and unauthorized surveillance devices without impeding operational flow and logistical requirements. Focus Area #6: Strategic Maritime Transit & Escort Security - NWS Prototype technologies to ensure the zero-failure secure movement of strategic maritime assets. This area seeks advanced maritime situational awareness, physical security enhancements for escorting SSBNs, and the detection, avoidance, and mitigation of maritime mines, and the defeat of direct-fire kinetic threats (e.g., shore-launched ATGMs/RPGs) during transit through PHLW to and from dive points. Focus Area #7: Strategic Ground Convoy & Land Transit Security - NWS Prototype technologies to ensure the zero-failure secure movement of strategic land-based assets. This encompasses advanced ground surveillance, secure tactical communications, vehicle tracking multi-layered physical security protocols, and Active Protection Systems (APS) to defeat direct-fire threats (e.g., ATGMs/RPGs) for ground transport and convoy operations of strategic weapons and equipment. Focus Area #8: Next-Generation Harbor & Expeditionary Surveillance - NWS Prototype technologies to establish persistent Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) for strategic ports and harbors. This area seeks advanced sensor networks tailored for the waterside environment. (Examples include: mobile/expeditionary surveillance kits, unattended surface and underwater sensors, and smart camera systems with automated threat recognition tailored to maritime conditions). Focus Area #9: Autonomous Security & Response Platforms - NWS Prototype technologies that leverage commercial robotics to enhance security force operations. This area seeks autonomous platforms capable of persistent patrol, automated inspection, and rapid response integration. (Examples include: Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) for waterside patrol, Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for perimeter screening, and robotic inspection platforms that seamlessly integrate with existing response forces). Focus Area #10 Novel Manufacturing Methods Launcher Single-Source or Critical Components – SP22&SP28 Develop and qualify alternate manufacturing methods for single-source, or hard-to-manufacture parts (e.g. cables, thermal panels) to build industrial base resiliency. Focus Area #11: Alternate Materials Obsolete, Hazardous, or Single-Source Launcher Components – SP22&SP28 Develop and qualify alternate materials to replace legacy components that are obsolete or phased out (e.g. Missile lifting fixture, MbOCA, VEEA rare-earth magnets). Focus Area #12: Early Learning & Risk Reduction – SP27, SP28 & SPC2/3/7 Perform early learning and risk reduction activities by demonstration of key technologies, concepts, or prototypes to include: developmental tests, design risk mitigation tasks, and solutions for design technology and integration issues; to ensure flexibility and adaptability of the TRIDENT II D5 Strategic Weapons System and Conventional Prompt Stike (CPS). Focus Area #13: Fire Control Devices – SP23 Develop and Prototype technologies in support of launch control devices, portable launch control devices and capabilities, associated interfaces, and pre-launch validation mechanisms. Focus Area #14: Fire Control Software – SP23 Develop, Prototype, and Demonstrate technologies in the automation of rapid software validation, software mapping, and code testing, to include virtualization and processing in a virtualized environment. Focus Area #15: Fire Control Computational Power – SP23&SP28 Develop and prototype technologies which may lead to the optimization of computational power, capabilities, and speed in a limited environment. Focus Area #16: Fire Control Environmental – SP23&SP28 Development and Prototype of technologies leading to the reduction of noise, vibration shock, and thermal dissipation is an environment with confined and limited space. Focus Area #17: Regional Deterrence Common Fire Control Environmental – SP04 Development and Prototype of technologies to establish a nuclear certified Fire Control As A Service (FAAS) environment, able to support multiple SSP Regional Deterrence weapon systems, consisting of: fire control electronics, hardware based surety features, modular platform interfaces, operator consoles, nuclear certified operating system, weapon control application support, graphical user interface and operator indications. Focus Area #18: Advanced Solid Rocket Motors – SPC2&SPC7 (CPS) Prototype technologies for next-generation large solid rocket motors, including novel propellant formulations or new case and nozzle manufacturing technologies. This area seeks scalable solutions for production at high rates (100s per year). Focus Area #19: Advanced Thermal Protection Systems – SPC2&SPC7 (CPS) Prototype materials and technologies for thermal protection of high-speed systems. Solutions could address either hypersonic payload thermal protection (e.g., C/C) or missile thermal protection (e.g., spray-on foam insulation). This area seeks cost-effective, rapidly manufacturable solutions that can support high production rates (100s per year) without compromising thermal performance or necessitating changes in flight environments. Focus Area #20: Novel Launch Systems – SPC3&SPC7 (CPS) Develop new launch systems for large-caliber missiles to support flexible deployments. Solutions can include, but are not limited to, containerized launchers, air-transportable launcher systems, or large Vertical Launch System (VLS) modification/integration into Navy surface and undersea platforms. Focus Area #21: Novel Conventional Warheads – SPC2&SPC7 (CPS) Prototype and test novel materials and architectures for conventional warheads on high-speed systems. The area also seeks novel manufacturing methods for existing warhead topologies. Focus Area #22: Advanced Avionics – SPC2&SPC7 (CPS) Prototype and test new, higher-performance avionics subsystems for the following high-risk capability areas: (1) inertial measurement units and alternate navigation aids; (2) sensing and communications; (3) control actuators and effectors; (4) flight computers. Solutions should support the challenging size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints inherent in hypersonic vehicles. The NG-USI’s purpose is to form a sphere of technological excellence made up of Participants from industry, non-profit organizations, and not-for-profit entities able to rapidly and efficiently propose and carry out, through maximum practicable competitive procedures, the development of prototype solutions that sustain and expand strategic superiority within broadly stated submersible operations Focus Areas of Interest. It is intended that Participants will perform a strategically important role in developing systems of systems focused on the development, demonstration and transition of resilient and dynamic technological capabilities critically necessary for the nation’s Naval Forces. Other Transaction Authority in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4022 will be used in support of NG-USI. The resultant award of any prototype Other Transaction agreement will NOT be made or issued under the provisions of the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-369), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6 or any other FAR-based regulation, or the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and Navy Marine Corps Acquisition Regulation Supplement (NMCARS). The NG-USI will be carried out under the terms of a Participant Basic Agreement (PBA). The PBA is available for qualified entities interested in participating in the NG-USI. Entities wishing to participate shall submit an email to the Primary Point of Contact identified below demonstrating technical relevancy/recency in the desired "Focus Areas of Interest." Material that is only advertisement or marketing material in nature is not desired. Primary Point of Contact: David J. Shriner Email Address: david.shriner@ssp.navy.mil Secondary Point of Contact: Christopher R. Gaines Email Address: christopher.gaines@ssp.navy.mil Please send technical and administrative questions and inquiries to the Primary Point of Contact to facilitate communication on all matters relating to this Announcement. The Government is prohibited from soliciting and awarding actions to contractors that have engaged or are suspected to have engaged in criminal, fraudulent, or seriously improper conduct. Prospective vendors shall complete electronic annual representations and certifications at sam.gov (https://sam.gov). By submission of an offer, the Offeror acknowledges the requirement that prospective awardees MUST be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to submitting an invoice and through final payment of any agreement resulting from NG-USI. Vendors that are not registered should consider applying for registration immediately. To remain registered in the SAM database after the initial registration, the Vendor is required to review and update on an annual basis from the date of initial registration (or subsequent updates) its information in the SAM database to ensure it is current, accurate and complete. This notification is for planning purposes only. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for the information solicited.