Sustainment Aerial Delivery Equipment -Sling Load (SADE-SL) Low-Cost Cargo Net

Project ID: W911QY-26-9-SADE FederalOpportunitiesPresolicitation

Overview

Agency	ACC Aberdeen Proving Ground
Deadline	03/24/26
Posted	03/12/26
Estimated Value	$250,000 - $750,000 (AI estimate)
Set Aside	None
NAICS	314994 - Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills
PSC	3940 - Blocks, Tackle, Rigging, And Slings
Location	Natick, MA 01760 United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

Summary

Agency: Department of the Army Office: Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground Natick Division

Location

Natick, MA

Program Office

Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PdM-FSS)

RPP Number

W911QY-26-R-SADESL

Date Issued

12 March 2026

Proposals Due

24 March 2026 NLT 1400 EDT Objective This competitive Request for Project Proposal (RPP) is issued to request formal competitive pre-proposals in the form of white papers in accordance with Section III, B, 1 of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (DEVCOM SC) Broad Other Transaction Authority Announcement (BOTAA) 22-01 competitive announcement and is being issued for planning purposes to execute a formal agreement under 10 USC 4022(b), Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for the prototype project described below.. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to award an agreement, nor will the Government pay for the information solicited. Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems (PdM FSS) is seeking information on the capabilities and willingness of private entities to develop a design for Low-Cost 5000-pound and 10,000-pound Helicopter Cargo Nets that will support a prototype project, as defined on page 5 of the BOTAA.

Background

The Government is looking for a low-cost replacement of the current 5000-pound and 10,000-pound Cargo Nets or components of the Cargo Net system. The DoD uses Cargo Nets as a means of transporting equipment around the battlefield faster than traditional ground transport and without the need for large fixed-wing transport aircraft. Requirements The purpose of this RPP is to request pre-proposals to conduct preliminary design for a Low-cost Cargo Net capability. The preliminary design may be based on reusing, modifying, or enhancing existing designs. The pre-proposals shall address the full requirements of this RPP:

Develop a Low-Cost Cargo Net Prototype

- Must be able to support the suspended weight capability in the standard system categories of 5,000 and 10,000 pound capacity at a 35% (T) and 75% or more (O) reduction of individual item cost compared to the current nylon cargo nets (T= threshold/ minimum a requirement needs to meet to be acceptable. O=This refers to an objective or best-case value for a requirement) - The SADE SL shall not increase current sling load rigging time by more than 25% (T) and should ideally reduce rigging time by 25% or more (O). - SADE-SL shall allow for ease of rigging for future variants of payloads with minimal redesign, test and certification, as well as reduce impacts on the environment. The payload compartment must provide quick release latching mechanisms for efficient unloading - SADE-SL shall be compatible with current Army rotary wing aircraft that include the UH-60 and CH-47 (T) and compatible with other military and civilian rotary wing aircraft to include the CH-46, CH-53 and CV-22, Future Vertical Lift (FVL) medium and heavy lift aircraft - SADE-SL shall be compatible to standard or recently developed sling load and airdrop components to the maximum extent possible - The SADE-SL components shall be capable of operation and storage in all of the following climatic categories; Basic, Hot and Cold as current sling load and aerial delivery equipment/systems (T=O). Function in Basic, Hot and Cold conditions in accordance with MIL-STD-810G. These variables will be hot, basic, cold, ranges as low as -60o F (objective) to +145o F and high-altitude pressure standards characteristic of worldwide operations, as described in AR 70-38, dated 15 Sep 1979. - It will operate within all terrain types (desert, mountain, jungle, and water/maritime), and during inclement weather, to include precipitation, air carrier Instrument Meteorological (IMC) conditions and maritime/salt fog conditions. - As required by the Government, compliance may be verified at a Government approved facility in accordance with MIL-STD-810G, Method 500.4 (Low Pressure/High Altitude, and Rapid Decompression), Method 501.4 (High Temperature), Method 502.4 (Low Temperature), Method 505.5 (Solar Radiation Sunshine Procedures 1,2), Method 506.4 (Rain Drip), Method 507.4 (Humidity), Method 508.4 (Fungus), Method 509.4 (Salt Fog), Method 510.4 (Blowing Dust), Method 510.4 (Blowing Sand), Method 511.4 (Explosive Atmosphere), Method 514.5 (UH-60, CH-47, C-130, C-17 and Loose Cargo Vibration). - Capable of adaptation to other US forces for strategic, operational, and tactical military operations. Shall be designed to promote ease of operation and maintenance by the 5th percentile female through the 95th percentile male Soldier/Marine/Airman as described in MIL-STD-1472G while wearing the field duty uniform, cold weather uniform, and chemical protective uniform. - Must demonstrate suitability in conditions where the user wears cold weather gloves. The system shall be capable of being transported by highway, rail, marine, and air modes, world-wide. The applicable transportability criteria are set forth in MIL-STD-1366E. Full specifications and requirements are established in the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The Department of the Army, through the Army Contracting Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground Natick Division, is seeking to develop a low-cost replacement for the current 5000-pound and 10,000-pound Cargo Nets used by the DoD. These Cargo Nets facilitate the rapid transport of equipment across the battlefield, providing a more efficient alternative to traditional ground transport and large fixed-wing aircraft. Work Details The contract involves the development of a Low-Cost Cargo Net Prototype with specific requirements: - Support suspended weight capabilities of 5,000 and 10,000 pounds with a cost reduction of 35% (threshold) and ideally 75% (objective) compared to current nylon cargo nets. - Rigging time should not increase by more than 25% (threshold) and should ideally decrease by 25% or more (objective). - The design must allow for ease of rigging for various payloads with minimal redesign and include quick release latching mechanisms. - Compatibility with current Army rotary wing aircraft (e.g., UH-60, CH-47) and other military/civilian rotary wing aircraft is required. - Must operate in all climatic conditions as per MIL-STD-810G standards, functioning in temperatures ranging from -60°F to +145°F. - Adaptability for various terrain types and compliance with transportability criteria outlined in MIL-STD-1366E is necessary. Place of Performance The work will be performed at locations determined by the contractor but must meet military operational requirements.

Contacts

Contact name	Ethan Seal
Contact email	ethan.p.seal.civ@army.mil
Contact phone	None
Secondary contact name	Sean G. Auld
Secondary contact email	sean.g.auld.civ@army.mil
Secondary contact phone	None