SHIELD is set to advance the United States’ long-term missile defence strategy under the so-called “Golden Dome” initiative, providing continuous, layered protection for the US homeland, its deployed forces, and international partners. The contract vehicle is planned to run for 10 years, comprising a base ordering period with one or more optional extensions, and will have a maximum estimated value of $151 billion.
According to the MDA, the work will include detecting, tracking, intercepting, and neutralising threats from ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, among other advanced aerial attacks. The agency stated, “the contract will support national defense objectives by ensuring continuous, layered protection against air, missile, space, cyber, and hybrid threats originating from any vector – land, sea, air, space, or cyberspace.”
The programme aims to deliver rapid, innovative capabilities to warfighters by leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital engineering, and open systems architecture. The MDA underscored the importance of “model-based systems engineering and agile processes in the acquisition, development, fielding, and sustainment of these capabilities.”
The SHIELD contract will cover both classified and unclassified projects across multiple security domains and will use various contract types under different NAICS codes. Under Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.304(c)(1)(ii), the Government “intends to award to each and all qualifying offerors,” provided they are technically acceptable, responsible, and offer fair and reasonable pricing.
To be eligible for participation, all offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). The final solicitation is expected to be released in electronic format in early June 2025.
The work scope includes a broad range of defence-related activities such as science and technology, research and development, prototyping, experimentation, system engineering, production, fielding, and cybersecurity. These capabilities are aligned with the strategic objectives of the Golden Dome programme, aimed at enhancing national security through advanced, scalable defence systems.
Source: SAM.gov.
