Solicitation
155mm Modular Artillery for Combat Effectiveness (MACE)
Department of Defense · Department of the Army
AI summaryThe Army (Contracting Command at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey) wants proposals to prototype a manufacturing process for 155mm cargo-carrying artillery projectiles, called MACE. It plans up to two prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs: flexible deals outside standard contract rules). One proposal covers Phase I (range 30 to 35 km) and Phase II (beyond 35 km), and the response due date is October 30, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern (an amendment moved it to Nov 30, 2026, 3:00 PM EST). Awards go only to firms that meet the eligibility conditions in 10 U.S.C. §4022(d), such as a nontraditional defense contractor with a significant role. More in the summary
A newer version of this notice was posted Oct 27, 2026. It moves the due date from Oct 30, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026, which is the date shown on this page. See the latest version.
AI summary Beta
Summary of the version posted Oct 16, 2026. The notice was amended Oct 27, 2026. The due date moved from Oct 30, 2026 to Nov 30, 2026. Check what else changed on SAM.gov. This summary may miss requirements: 9 of 10 attachments weren't read (Attachment 26 - Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed (Dated10-15).xlsx, Attachment 19 - M1128 Base Bleed Package.pdf and 7 more). Check the attachments on SAM.gov.
The Army (Contracting Command at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey) wants proposals to prototype a manufacturing process for 155mm cargo-carrying artillery projectiles, called MACE. It plans up to two prototype Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs: flexible deals outside standard contract rules). One proposal covers Phase I (range 30 to 35 km) and Phase II (beyond 35 km), and the response due date is October 30, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern. Awards go only to firms that meet the eligibility conditions in 10 U.S.C. §4022(d), such as a nontraditional defense contractor with a significant role.
Who can bid (5)
- Meet one of four conditions in 10 U.S.C. §4022(d): (A) a nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution takes a significant part; (B) all significant participants besides the Government are small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors; (C) at least one third of total cost is paid from non-Federal funds; or (D) a written senior procurement executive determination of exceptional circumstances
- Register in SAM.gov to get a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code and Unique Entity ID
- Be found responsible and not suspended or debarred by the Federal Government
Show all 5Show fewer
- To get the restricted Purchase Description and drawings, be the Department of War or a U.S. Department of War contractor, and submit the data request questionnaire, non-disclosure agreement and DD 2345 military critical technical data agreement
- Section 889 certification: evidence of the SAM.gov entry for FAR provision 52.204-26
How to submit: Through the SAM.gov website, due October 30, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern. What to include is under Full summary below. Check the solicitation's instructions on SAM.gov.
Things to watch (9)
- Serious: Eligibility limited by 10 U.S.C. §4022(d). A firm needs a nontraditional defense contractor on its team, an all-small-business or nontraditional team, a one-third non-Federal cost share, or a special written determination, or it cannot be awarded.
- Serious: One proposal must cover both Phase I and Phase II. Phase I (30 to 35 km) and Phase II (beyond 35 km) are each proposed and priced now, and the Government may start Phase II before Phase I is done. Phase I is estimated at 34 months; Phase II length is to be defined.
- Serious: Purchase Description and drawings are restricted. The design documents come only after the firm signs and submits a data request questionnaire, a non-disclosure agreement and a DD 2345 agreement and is approved. No request deadline is stated, and the design depends on these files.
Show all 9Show fewer
- Serious: Explosive-ammunition work with safety and security review. The items are hazard class 1.1D (mass-explosion hazard) arms, ammunition and explosives. The Government may run a safety and security pre-award survey, so a bidder needs suitable facilities and procedures.
- Worth checking: Cost proposal needs a detailed basis of estimate. Pricing is cost-plus-fixed-fee per line, with direct labor, indirect rates, materials, subcontracts and fee shown, which takes accounting records many small firms lack.
- Worth checking: Terms and conditions are not expected to be negotiated. A firm that cannot accept the Government's agreement terms may lose the award to another offeror.
- Worth checking: Funding not obligated at award. Money is committed only when appropriated, and the schedule, milestones or work may be renegotiated depending on available funds.
- Worth checking: Pages over the limit are not read. Volumes I and II are capped at 23 pages each, and anything beyond the cap is ignored in scoring.
- Minor: Schedule baseline replaced by Amendment 0005. Amendment 0005 replaced the Statement of Work and CLIN Matrix with Attachments 25 and 24, using months after award. Proposals must follow those versions.
Read from the notice and 1 attachment. 9 of 10 not read. Show which files.
- PPON MACE Extended Updated Attachments- W15QKN26R1C5R (Dated 10-15).docx (read)
- Attachment 26 - Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed (Dated10-15).xlsx: not read (the AI doesn't read this file type yet): open it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 19 - M1128 Base Bleed Package.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 21 - rf_smoke_payload.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 22 - SPEC_MIL-DTL-32720_M1128_Base_Burner 5.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 17 - 3D Model Creation and Standardization Guidance Document - 13 Dec 2021.docx: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 18 - Contract Quality Requirements for MACE.docx: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 20 - MACE_BB_Motor_Assembly_Components_20260626.xlsx: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 8 - Purchase Description - MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR TDP ACCESS.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
- Attachment 9 - Packaging and Unitization - MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR TDP.pdf: not read (access is restricted): request it on SAM.gov
Full summary
What they want
- Phase I: design a cargo-carrying 155mm projectile that reaches 30 to 35 km, plus its manufacturing process, and deliver loaded, assembled and packed (LAP) projectiles for engineering, safety, qualification and soldier tests
- Phase II: design a version with an alternate range-extension solution that reaches beyond 35 km, and deliver those sub-systems and projectiles for qualification testing
- Show a plan to scale production to up to 10,000 projectiles per year under a possible follow-on agreement
- Quantities in the packing section: up to 115 projectiles for engineering tests and demos (CLIN 002), up to 335 for limited safety tests (CLIN 006), up to 1,200 IPB projectiles (CLIN 008), 1,000 in FY28 (CLIN 009) and 1,000 in FY29 (CLIN 011) for soldier testing, up to 1,200 alternate configuration IPB projectiles (CLIN 023), and up to 100 alternate range extension sub-systems (CLIN 019). A CLIN, or contract line item number, is one priced line of the order. IPB is not defined in the text read.
- Build a detailed Integrated Master Schedule (IMS: the project timeline) for each phase and fill in the milestone payment table in the Statement of Work
- Pack projectiles to Title 49 CFR and MIL-STD-129: eight per pallet, three pallets bundled, heat-treated wood packaging, and tested hazardous-material packaging
- Provide safety data sheets and an arms, ammunition and explosives (AA&E) worksheet
- A possible follow-on production contract or agreement without further competition if the prototype succeeds
- Contract type
- Prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) under 10 U.S.C. §4022, expected to be cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF: the Government pays allowed costs plus a set fee). Up to two awards.
- Period of performance
- Phase I estimated at 34 months per the Statement of Work, with qualification testing 13 months after agreement award. Phase II duration is to be defined.
- Estimated value
- Not stated
- How they'll choose
- Best value through an integrated assessment of all factors. Non-cost factors together are significantly more important than cost/price, which is evaluated but not rated.
- Offers due
- October 30, 2026, 3:00 PM Eastern (from the version posted Oct 16, 2026; amended since)
- How to submit
- Through the SAM.gov website
- Page limits
- Volume I (Phase I): maximum 23 pages. Volume II (Phase II): maximum 23 pages. Schedule narratives: maximum 3 pages each. Cover letter: maximum 2 pages. Extra pages are not read.
What they'll judge offers on
- Factor 1, Phase I (155mm MACE to 30-35 km): Sub-factor 1.1 Schedule (most important for Phase I): integrated master schedule and narrative; Sub-factor 1.2 Technical: design, risk and manufacturing, facilities and scaling
- Factor 2, Phase II (alternate range extension beyond 35 km): Sub-factor 2.1 Technical (most important for Phase II); Sub-factor 2.2 Schedule
- Factor 3, Cost/Price: evaluated for realism, reasonableness, allowability and allocability; Total Evaluated Price is Phase I plus Phase II, less any proposed cost share
What to include when you submit
- Send four volumes: Volume I Phase I (schedule and technical), Volume II Phase II (technical and schedule), Volume III Cost/Price, Volume IV Miscellaneous Agreement Documentation
- Name files VendorName_Vol_1_Phase1_155mm MACE_XXXXXX, VendorName_Vol_2_Phase2_XXXXXX, VendorName_Vol_3_Price_Proposal_XXXXXX and VendorName_Vol_4_Docs_XXXXXX.pdf
- Volume III: price every line from CLIN 0001 through CLIN 0026 as total cost plus fixed fee, with a basis of estimate, in Microsoft Excel with working formulas
- Put no pricing in Volumes I, II or IV, and include the completed Statement of Work Section 6.0 milestone table in Volume III
- Volumes I and II: send the Integrated Master Schedule as a printed PDF and a Microsoft Project native file; the Government evaluates the PDF
- Volume IV: cover letter with company name, point of contact, UEI/CAGE, SAM.gov confirmation for NAICS 332993, small business status, team members, six-month proposal validity statement and signatures
- Volume IV: Terms and Conditions with highlighted portions completed and minor deviations in tracked changes; Business Status Certification (Attachments 2 and 3); Section 889 evidence of SAM.gov entry for FAR 52.204-26
- Format: Arial, 12-point minimum for text, 1-inch margins, 8.5 x 11 inches; spreadsheets and diagrams up to 11 x 14 inches with 10-point text
- Use searchable Microsoft Office or PDF files only; no .exe files, hyperlinks or ZIP files
- Proposals stay valid for six months after submission; one firm may send several separate proposals
- Use the Statement of Work (Attachment 25) and CLIN Matrix (Attachment 24) from Amendment 0005 as the sole basis for the proposal
After award, you must have
- After award, register in Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) to invoice and get paid From PPON MACE Extended Updated Attachments- W15QKN26R1C5R (Dated 10-15).docx:
Offerors must register in Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE)
- During the work, comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR: export controls on defense items), the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual and the Commerce export rules From PPON MACE Extended Updated Attachments- W15QKN26R1C5R (Dated 10-15).docx:
…the recipient will comply strictly with the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (22 CFR 120-130)
Current contractor
No incumbent is named. This is a new effort to add domestic 155mm projectile manufacturers. Up to 10,000 projectile systems per year is the anticipated scale of a follow-on production award without further competition.
Not in the notice text
- Key documents are on SAM.gov and weren't read here: the Purchase Description and Packing Drawings (restricted), Attachments 17 to 22 (restricted), and the newest Offeror Questions Addressed spreadsheet (Attachment 26, dated October 15, 2026). The Terms and Conditions, Statement of Work and CLIN Matrix text also wasn't in what was read.
- Government estimate, funding amount and fee limits for the agreements are not stated in the text read
- Place of performance is blank on SAM.gov and not stated in the PPON text read
- Set-aside is not stated on SAM.gov; the PPON eligibility rules apply instead
- Length of Phase II and the date by which restricted technical data must be requested are not stated
- What IPB stands for in the packing section's projectile quantities is not defined
Eligibility and how to respond
- No set-aside: any business, large or small, can bid unless the notice says otherwise.
- How to submit, from the AI summary: Through the SAM.gov website. Check it in the notice before you send anything.
Notice details
- Posted
- Sep 1, 2026
- Notice type
- Solicitation
- Office
- W6QK ACC-Ri-Picatinny, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ
- Product/service code
- 1320 · Ammunition, Over 125MM
- Business type
- Weapons & ammunition (FedReady's grouping, from NAICS 332993)
- Versions
12 versions have been posted, newest first.
- Oct 27, 2026 · AmendmentDue Nov 30, 2026 (changed)
- Oct 16, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026
- Oct 6, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026
- Sep 24, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026
- Sep 24, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026
- Sep 18, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026
- Sep 9, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026
- Sep 1, 2026 · Amendment 0007 (this version)Due Oct 30, 2026
- Sep 1, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026
- Aug 31, 2026 · AmendmentDue Oct 30, 2026 (changed)
- Aug 19, 2026 · AmendmentDue Sep 30, 2026
- Aug 19, 2026 · SolicitationDue Sep 30, 2026
- Attachments
Past awards and competition
Who has won work like this before, the likely incumbent, and what similar contracts paid, from USAspending.gov.
Before you respond
- How to respond to a solicitation (8 steps)
- How to read a government solicitation
- How to price a government contract
Terms on this notice: Solicitation
Full notice text from SAM.gov
Amendment 0007 - The purpose of this Amendment 0007 is to extend the solicitation response deadline, incorporate updated questions and answers, and issue revised solicitation attachments. Specifically, this amendment: Extends the Proposal Submission Deadline: The solicitation response deadline is extended from October 30, 2026, to 1500 EST on November 30, 2026. This extension is granted to ensure all potential offerors have sufficient time to conduct thorough analyses, address recent technical clarifications, and submit comprehensive, high-quality proposals that deliver the best value to the Government. As a result, the Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON Document: PPON MACE EXTENDED November 30 W15QKN26R1C5R Dated 10-27) has been revised to reflect the new response deadline and the updated attachments list. Incorporates Updated Attachments: The following updated attachments are formally incorporated into the solicitation and replace all previous versions: Attachment 27 Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed (Dated 10-26), incorporating Questions #17 through #19.Attachment 28 Updated Statement of Work (SOW) (Dated 10-26), reflecting the revised anticipated award date of March 29, 2027, while maintaining relative milestone durations. Attachment 29 Updated MACE CLIN Matrix (Dated 10-26), incorporating dedicated Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) line items pursuant to Question #17. Instruction to Offerors: All Offerors shall use the timelines, relative durations, and CLIN structures specified within these amended documents as the sole, definitive basis for their proposal submissions, including their Technical, Schedule (IMS), and Cost/Price volumes. ************************************End of Narrative 0007 *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Amendment 0006 - The purpose of amendment 0006 is to update the Question and Answer document from Attachment 23 - Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed 10-5 to Attachment 26 - Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed 10-15. This amendment also updates the PPON (PPON MACE Extended Updated Attachments (Updated 10-15)) to add Attachment 26 to the attachment list.*********************End of Amendment 0006***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Amendment 0005 - The purpose of this Amendment 0005 is to resolve the schedule discrepancies identified in the solicitation and provide the definitive baseline for all proposal submissions. Specifically, this amendment: The Government acknowledges the discrepancy between the delivery dates specified in the original Statement of Work (SOW) (Attachment 7) and the performance periods specified in the original MACE CLIN Matrix (Attachment 4), which was caused by the proposal submission extension in Amendment 0001. This Amendment 0005 provides a revised and corrected Statement of Work (SOW) and CLIN Matrix. All schedule milestones have been aligned to relative durations (Months After Agreement Award) to ensure a stable, executable performance period. Amendment 0005 also adds the Updated MACE Questions Addressed plus an updated PPON which lists the amended attachments. The following updated attachments are formally incorporated into the solicitation and replace all previous versions: Attachment 25 Updated Statement of Work (SOW) (Dated 10-6) Attachment 24 Updated MACE CLIN Matrix (Dated 10 6) Attachment 23 Updated MACE Questions Addressed (Dated 10-5) PPON Document MACE Extended Updated Attachments W15QKN 26R1C5R (Dated 10-6) All Offerors shall use the timelines, relative durations, and CLIN structures specified within these amended documents (updated attachments October 5 and 6, 2026) as the sole, definitive basis for their proposal submissions, including their Technical, Schedule (IMS), and Cost/Price volumes. *********************End of Amendment 0005***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Amendment 0004 - The purpose of amendment 0004 is to update the Question and Answer document from Attachment 15 - Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed 9-17 to Attachment 16 - Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed 9-24. Amendment 0004 also serves as notification that 6 additional TDP documents have been uploaded to SAM.gov. Vendors who have already been approved for the TDP can access the documents immediately, and those not previously approved may request access through SAM. **********************************************End of Amendment 0004***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Amendment 0003 - The purpose of this amendment 0003 is to add Attachment 15 - Updated MACE Offeror Questions Addressed 9-17 **************End of Amendment 0003***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Amendment 0002 - The purpose of this amendment 0002 is to add Attachment 15 - MACE Offeror Questions Addressed. *********************End of Amendment 0002 Narrative *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Amendment 0001 - The purpose of this amendment 0001 is to extend the solicitation response deadline from September 30, 2026 to October 30, 2026. This extension is granted to ensure all potential offerors have sufficient time to conduct thorough analyses, address recent technical clarifications, and submit comprehensive, high-quality proposals which deliver the best value to the Government. As a result of the extension, the Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON) has been revised to reflect the new response deadline. Attachment 1 - Terms and Conditions has been updated in Supplement 5, Sub Section number 2 Outside Funding Contribution Schedule to change the Basic Agreement Years from FY 2026, FY 2027, FY 2028 to FY 2027, FY 2028, FY 2029. ****End of Amendment 0001 Narrative****************************************************************************************************************************** 155mm Modular Artillery for Combat Effectiveness (MACE) - Please refer to Prototype Project Opportunity Notice (PPON) and attachments. Please note: Attachment 8 - Purchase Description and Attachment 9 - Packing and Unitization Drawings will be provided to Offerors upon request once the Offeror signs, completes and submits the following documents for contracting approval: Attachment 12 Technical Data Request Questionnaire; Attachment 6 Non-Disclosure and Non US Agreement plus Attachment 14 DD2345 Military Critical Technical Data Agreement. Please refer to section 8 of the PPON for further information.
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