Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD) USARPAC ACE 27-01: Autonomous Sustainment Powered by xTech

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 20260811 1. Question: Vendor A are considering submitting to the G-TEAD USARPAC ACE 27-01 Autonomous Sustainment competition under Capability 1 and wanted to clarify the TRL 6 minimum requirement before applying. Vendor A s current integrated technology is approximately TRL 4. They expect to reach TRL 5 by September and believe they could potentially achieve TRL 6 by the November timeframe. Given that timeline, would their current TRL at the time of application make them non-compliant with the competition requirements, or would the Government still encourage them to submit if they can demonstrate a credible path to TRL 6 by the exercise? Answer - Per the RFI all capabilities must be TRL 6 at the time of submission. If the technology does not currently sit at TRL 6, then it is not eligible for this competition. 2. Question: The desired characteristics require the UAS and its command-and-control system to adhere to relevant STANAGs for data links, transportability, and consumable fuels or power. Please identify the specific STANAG numbers, editions, and expected level of compliance that evaluators intend applicants to address. For the Part 1 white paper, may an applicant describe its current compliance posture and a plan to verify remaining requirements before the Soldier exercise, or must compliance already be demonstrated at submission? Answer - In reference to both question 1 and 2. Specific details cannot be provided regarding the specific STANAG information and required minimum distance, however, please refer to the RFI for other desired characteristics that will be taken into consideration for each team submission. Applicants may describe their current compliance posture and a plan to verify remaining requirements before the Soldier exercise, or must compliance already be demonstrated at submission however, as stated in the RFI submissions must be at TRL 6+ for consideration. 3. Question: The Mission Enhancing Capabilities section states, Load, unload, and deliver a minimum of nautical miles, but a numerical distance appears to be omitted. What is the required minimum distance, and should applicants interpret it as one-way delivery distance or total mission range? Please also clarify the payload condition associated with that distance. Answer - In reference to both question 1 and 2. Specific details cannot be provided regarding the specific STANAG information and required minimum distance, however, please refer to the RFI for other desired characteristics that will be taken into consideration for each team submission. Applicants may describe their current compliance posture and a plan to verify remaining requirements before the Soldier exercise, or must compliance already be demonstrated at submission however, as stated in the RFI submissions must be at TRL 6+ for consideration. SPECIAL NOTICE DESCRIPTION G-TEAD USARPAC ACE 27-01: Autonomous Sustainment powered by xTech The U.S. Army is seeking innovative autonomous sustainment solutions from eligible small and large businesses across the U.S. and allied foreign countries to strengthen resilient resupply in contested environments through the G-TEAD USARPAC ACE 27-01: Autonomous Sustainment powered by xTech. Submissions are due August 17, 2026 at 5pm ET. Points of Contacts G-TEAD USARPAC-Regional ACE Lead: MAJ Bryant, Burch; bryant.l.burch.mil@army.mil G-TEAD USARPAC-Regional ACE Lead: Ms. Hepburn, Sarah; sarah.m.hepburn.ctr@army.mil Contracting Office: MAJ Ryan, Jared; jared.j.ryan.mil@army.mil Contracting Office: Mr. Kyle Kiyonaga; kyle.s.kiyonaga.civ@army.mil DESCRIPTION The Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), in partnership with U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), and powered by Army FUZE xTech, is seeking innovative autonomous sustainment solutions from eligible small and large businesses across the U.S. and allied foreign countries to strengthen resilient resupply for distributed operations in contested environments through the G-TEAD USARPAC ACE 27-01: Autonomous Sustainment powered by xTech competition. This platform offers participants the opportunity to engage with the U.S. Department of War (DoW), earn prize money, and potentially receive a contract award or agreement. This initiative supports the U.S. Army s broader effort to (1) identify and understand the spectrum of world-class technologies being developed commercially that benefit the U.S. military; (2) integrate non-traditional innovators into the U.S. DoW Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem; (3) provide expertise and feedback to accelerate, mature, transition, and scale technologies to support operational forces. The G-TEAD USARPAC ACE 27-01: Autonomous Sustainment powered by xTech will consist of three phases: (1) Application, including the following: Four (4)-page white paper; Required five (5)-minute video; Self-certification of minimum requirements; and Information on prior demonstrations with DoW or allied/partner nations (2) Soldier exercise; and (3) Opportunity to submit follow-on contract proposal. The U.S. Army intends to award up to $1,500,000 in cash prizes throughout the competition. Up to 15 finalists will be selected at the conclusion of the Part 1 evaluation period, awarded $25,000 each, and provided the opportunity to participate in the Part 2 live Soldier exercise, anticipated to occur in November 2026. Finalists who also participate and have their technology successfully integrated in the exercise will receive an additional $25,000 each, following the event. Following completion of the exercise, up to five (5) final winners will be selected to receive an additional cash prize of $150,000 each and may be considered for potential follow-on agreements and contracting opportunities. Additional details on prize structure can be found in Section VII of the RFI. At the Government s discretion, participants that do not win a prize may also be considered for opportunities to demonstrate their capability. Any follow-on agreements are at the Government s sole discretion and are subject to availability of funds and applicable laws and regulations. Nothing in this solicitation shall be construed as a commitment to issue a request for proposal (RFP) or award any contract or agreement. Finalists and final winners must have a CAGE/NCAGE code to receive a cash prize and contract award. Firms may be requested to sign a Master Business Agreement (MBA) as a condition of eligibility for certain G-TEAD ACE follow-on opportunities. The execution of an MBA is not required for any other follow-on opportunities pursued outside of G-TEAD ACEs. A CAGE/NCAGE code is not required at the time of application; however, applicants that do not possess one (1) are strongly encouraged to initiate the registration process in advance if they intend to participate. The G-TEAD USARPAC ACE 27-01: Autonomous Sustainment powered by xTech is conducted in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 4025, which authorizes the use of prize competitions to stimulate innovation and identify promising technologies for national security applications. Requirements for competition under 10 U.S.C. 3201 are satisfied upon completion of the challenge and use of prize authority. As such, this competition serves as a competitive down select mechanism that enables government organizations to engage with finalists and winners through a variety of follow-on acquisition pathways, including but not limited to: 10 U.S.C. 4114 Selection of contractors for prototype projects 10 U.S.C. 4022 Prototype projects 10 U.S.C. 4023 Procurement for experimental purposes 10 U.S.C. 4001 Research and development 10 U.S.C. 4021 Other Transaction Authority (OTA) 10 U.S.C. 3458 Authority to acquire innovative commercial products and commercial services using general solicitation competitive procedures 15 U.S.C. 3703 Technology innovation partnerships 15 U.S.C. 638 SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs Government organizations may consider leveraging these statutory authorities to pursue follow-on awards with companies identified through the xTech competition process. This approach supports rapid technology maturation, accelerates the transition of innovative capabilities to the field, and promotes collaboration with non-traditional and small business performers. While the authority of this program is 10 U.S.C. 4025, the G-TEAD USARPAC ACE 27-01: Autonomous Sustainment powered by xTech may generate interest by other U.S. Army, DoW or U.S. Government (US G) organizations for a funding opportunity outside of this event. The interested organization may contact the participant to provide additional information or ask for a request for proposal in a separate solicitation. Finalists of the prize competition may have opportunities to submit a separate proposal for further development of their proposed technology solution based on the needs of the Army. The Army may use a contract mechanism of their choice and will notify the participants…