How to bid on S-280C/G Vehicle Mounted Shelter manufacturing for the Army

What the Army is buying

The Army Contracting Command - Detroit Arsenal (ACC-DTA) is seeking a small business to manufacture and deliver four variants of the S-280C/G vehicle-mounted shelter. These shelters are lightweight, tactical military units designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment and personnel. The work includes First Article Testing, production, and delivery of all required technical and logistics data. Manufacturing must follow the Government-owned Technical Data Package and ASTM E1975-22 standards.

This is a five-year, Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. One award is planned, with a minimum guarantee of $100,000 and an estimated maximum ceiling of $4,000,000. This opportunity is set aside 100% for small businesses.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on September 08, 2026. All questions regarding this solicitation must be submitted in writing by September 24, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The final deadline for proposal submissions is October 09, 2026, at 3:30 PM ET. Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for any amendments to this solicitation.

Who this opportunity suits

This contract is a 100% Small Business Set-Aside. The applicable size standard for NAICS 332311 (Prefabricated Metal Building and Component Manufacturing) is 750 employees. Firms with experience in manufacturing specialized shelters or similar military equipment, particularly those involving precise technical data package adherence and first article testing, would be well-suited. Given the export-controlled technical data, firms must have a current DD Form 2345 certification.

How to respond

To access the solicitation details and documents, you will need to open the opportunity on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.

The Technical Data Package (TDP) for this solicitation is Export-Controlled. To gain access, you must have a current and valid DD Form 2345, "Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement" certification on file with the U.S./Canada Joint Certification Office (JCO). The TDP can be accessed through the attachments section of the announcement on SAM.gov by certified offerors. All questions must be submitted in writing to Nicholas A. Lang or Daniel J. Gibson by the stated deadline; telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Since this is a best value tradeoff source selection conducted under FAR Part 15, ensure your proposal clearly demonstrates how your firm offers the best value to the Government, not just the lowest price. Highlight your technical capabilities, past performance, and management approach in detail. Emphasize your experience with similar manufacturing requirements, especially those involving strict adherence to technical data packages and quality standards like ASTM E1975-22.

Pay close attention to all requirements for First Article Testing and the delivery of associated technical and logistics data. Clearly outline your plan for meeting these specific deliverables. For export-controlled solicitations, having your DD Form 2345 certification in order well before the deadline is critical for accessing essential documents. Finally, submit any questions you have about the solicitation in writing by the deadline to ensure you have a clear understanding of all requirements before preparing your proposal.