Production of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Lethality Payloads at Pine Bluff Arsenal

30 OCT 2026

The response due date is 4:00 PM CST on 14 DEC 2026. Submit responses to this request for partnership solutions to debby.c.broyles.civ@army.mil and heather.b.johns.civ@army.mil with subject line: PSO Response Production of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Lethality Payloads at Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA).

Partnership Solutions Opening – Request for Whitepapers

Agency: Department of War (DoW) / Army Materiel Command (AMC) Notice Type: Partnership Solutions Opening (PSO)

Title: Production of sUAS Lethality Payloads at PBA.

1.0 INTRODUCTION & AUTHORITY

The U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC) is issuing this request for partnership solutions via white paper submission solely for market research, planning, and concept exploration regarding a potential Public-Private Partnership (P3) under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 7544.

The Government is requesting specific conceptual solutions on how to optimally structure and execute P3 Cooperative Arrangements. The core objective is to leverage private investment to modernize Government facilities to Industry 4.0 and 5.0 automation standards. Industry 4.0 is defined as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, is characterized by the "Smart Factory." It aims to create highly efficient, autonomous production lines by integrating cyber-physical systems with the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing. Industry 5.0 is not meant to replace Industry 4.0 but to refine it. It recognizes that pure automation can overlook human creativity and environmental impact. It places the well-being of the worker and the planet at the center of the industrial process. This modernization will enable authorized co-production and facility-use activities that mutually benefit the Government's national security mission and the private partner's commercial enterprise.

Disclaimer: This PSO does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), nor is it a procurement action governed by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). The Government is not obligated to enter into any cooperative arrangement or agreement because of this PSO and will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submitting a response.

2.0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

PBA is requesting a commercial partnership to support the development and production of lethal energetic payloads for sUAS and Electronic Safe & Arming Devices (ESAD). These efforts include scaling low-cost, modernized sUAS lethality and energetic payload manufacturing. PBA intends for flexible production lines with ability to accommodate modular manufacturing capabilities for differing explosives, varying payload sizes, explosive safe and arming devices, energetic airframes, etc.

PBA can provide both logistical and facility support, including approximately 100,000 square feet of storage and production capacity. The government has various 1 or 2 story buildings available in area 34-000 ranging in size from 396 sq ft to 13,551 sq ft with various existing capabilities to include electricity, water, air sewer, Natural Gas, and/or steam. Additional building details provided in Attachment 1.

The production facilities were constructed in 1941-42 for the war effort to handle highly volatile chemical, pyrotechnic, and incendiary compounds. Structurally and architecturally, these buildings reflect a combination of standardized strict hazard segmentation, and fortified safety engineering. Buildings are constructed with heavy, reinforced concrete interior blast walls and thick foundations, but with deliberately weak, lightweight exterior walls and roofs.

PBA can provide the following support:

• Direct labor

• Engineering

• Base operations

• Logistical support

• Environmental and safety support, including leveraging PBA's existing Explosive Site Safety Plans to expedite the mandatory joint site-licensing updates required for the partner's specific energetic footprint and, as applicable, for any non-Department of Defense owned toxic or hazardous materials, supporting Government coordination and processing of a 10 U.S.C. 2692 exception request; the contractor remains responsible for providing the technical, environmental, safety, and operational information required to support that request.

• Utilities: Existing utility systems vary by facility as shown in Attachment 1. The contractor is responsible for any necessary capital investments required to utilize these utilities, including the procurement and installation of utility meters, sub-meters, service hookups, and distribution lines.

3.0 FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT REQUIREMENTS (CAPITAL EXPENDITURES)

To accelerate modernization without requiring upfront Government funding, the selected industry partner(s) must meet the following financial parameters:

• Private Equity Financed Capital Expenditures (CapEx): An industry partner(s) must utilize private equity or internal corporate capital to fund 100% of the modernization CapEx for the targeted building(s).
  • • Scope of CapEx: This investment must cover all necessary facility upgrades, structural modifications, equipment procurement, software integration, and physical installation. Permanent upgrades become Government property upon installation, with the contractor retaining operational use for the duration of the agreement.

4.0 OPERATIONAL CONCEPT: COOPERATIVE ARRANGEMENT

In exchange for the capital investment, the Government will enter a Cooperative Arrangement pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 7544(a).

• • Commercial Capacity Guarantee (Facilities Use): In accordance with 10 U.S.C 7544(b)(5), an industry partner will be granted a facilities-use contract guaranteeing a portion of the capacity of the modernized/new lines for their own commercial requirements, with the precise amount to be negotiated based on the overall structure of the partnership, other in-kind considerations offered, etc.
  • Excess Capacity Utilization: Pursuant to 10 U.S.C 7544(c)(3), an industry partner is authorized to use any additional excess capacity not actively utilized or identified for future by the Government.
  • Non-Interference Mandate: As required by 10 U.S.C 7544(c)(2), all commercial production must not interfere with the performance of work for the Department of War.
  • Build-to-Operate (BTO) Model: To accelerate modernization, the cooperative arrangement may utilize a BTO framework. The industry partner will develop, locate, and temporarily operate innovative technological capabilities at OIB sites until they recover their initial capital investment and realize an agreed upon profit. Upon reaching this threshold, operational control transitions to the OIB for long term sustainment, allowing the contractor to refocus on next generation innovation. This BTO model benefits the enterprise by optimizing both sectors' strengths and yields faster capability deployment during the innovation phase and steadier, modernized sustainment production within the OIB.

5.0 MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISIONS (10 U.S.C. 7544)

• Indemnification: A selected Industry partner will be required to agree to the indemnity restrictions located at 10 U.S.C. 7544(c)(4).
• Suspension/Termination: The Government may suspend or terminate commercial activity, or require priority performance for military work, during a war or national emergency.

6.0 PARTNERSHIP PROCESS

6.1 Phase I: Initial Whitepaper Submission

Submission: Respondents shall submit an initial written whitepaper addressing the requirements outlined in Section 7.0 (Volumes I, II, and III). Initial submissions must be received within 45 days of the publication of this PSO (no later than 4:00 PM CST on the designated date).

Assessment: The Government will assess all timely submissions against the attributes identified in Section 8.0 (Technological Innovation, Financial Viability, and OIB Utilization).

6.2 Phase II: PBA On-Site Visit & Technical Exchange

Invitation: The most highly assessed whitepaper respondents will receive a formal invitation detailing the schedule and protocol for a mandatory on-site visit at Pine Bluff Arsenal.

Site Visit Objective: The site visit is a critical component of this exploration process. It provides selected partners with first-hand access to the proposed facilities within Area 34-000. During this visit, partners will inspect structural layouts, assess existing utility infrastructures, and engage in technical discussions with PBA engineering, environmental, safety, and operations personnel. This technical exchange is intended to clarify site constraints, leverage PBA's existing Explosive Site Safety Plans, and help partners refine their modernization plans.

Security & Installation Access: Attendees must comply with all PBA installation-access, identification, safety, photography, and escort requirements. Invited respondents must submit full name, company name, citizenship, and other required security information for each attendee within the timeframe specified in the Phase II invitation.

6.3 Phase III: Request for Final Whitepaper Submissions

Request for Final Submissions: Following the completion of the Phase II site visit, the Government will issue a formal Request for Final Whitepaper submissions exclusively to the Phase II participants.

Final Submission Requirements: Respondents will be required to submit finalized, comprehensive whitepapers (Volumes I, II, and III). Final submissions allow respondents to refine and further detail their whitepaper following the site visit to PBA.   

Path Forward: The Government will review the final whitepaper submission attributes identified in Section 8.0 (Technological Innovation, Financial Viability, and OIB Utilization). Upon selection of the most viable conceptual solution, the Government will initiate formal discussions and cooperative planning to structure a potential P3 Cooperative Arrangement pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 7544.

7.0 WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Volume I: Technical & Automation Approach

• • Proposed production capability of lethal energetic payloads for sUAS and ESAD.  The flexibility of production solution to accommodate modular manufacturing capabilities for differing explosives, varying payload sizes, explosive safe and arming devices, energetic airframes, etc.
  • Detailed architecture for Industry 4.0/5.0 integration (e.g., Edge Analytics, Digital Sovereignty & Cybersecurity, Collaborative Robots).
  • Timeline for facility upgrades, as required (Phase 3).

Volume II: Financial & Investment Plan

• • Proof of capital sufficient to execute all required CapEx.
  • Detailed breakdown of estimated CapEx costs by building (Phase 3).

Volume III: Co-Production & 10 U.S.C. 7544 Compliance

• • CONOPS detailing how the structure capacity split would be for commercial and Government.

8.0 REVIEW OF RESPONSES

• Technological Innovation: Verifiable Industry 4.0/5.0 integration to establish capability to produce sUAS lethality payloads.
• Financial Viability: Strength of the private equity financing to cover CapEx without Government subsidy.
• Maximizing PBA: Government preference is to maximize the utilization existing PBA resources to include but not limited to workforce, buildings, equipment, and utilities.

9.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Submit responses to this request for partnership solutions to debby.c.broyles.civ@army.mil and heather.b.johns.civ@army.mil with subject line: PSO Response Production of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Lethality Payloads at Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA). Response must be received by 4:00 PM CST on 14DEC 2026.