The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has released the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for SHIELD—Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense—a $151 billion multiple award IDIQ contract focused on layered homeland defense. SHIELD is designed to support rapid acquisition and fielding of advanced defense capabilities across air, space, land, sea, cyber, and hybrid threat domains.
SHIELD will be awarded through a full-and-open competition, but the government has confirmed that it intends to award to all qualifying offerors—those who are technically acceptable, responsible, and submit fair and reasonable pricing. Orders under this vehicle may require both classified and unclassified performance, and a Facility Clearance (FCL) will be essential for many awardees.
Questions on the draft RFP are due by July 31 at 11:59 PM CT.
OST Webinar: How to Compete for SHIELD
- Date: Tuesday, August 6, 2025
- Time:12:00–1:00 PM ET
- Presenter: David Huff, CEO, OST Global Solutions
- Format: Live webinar + Q&A
What We’ll Cover:
- Key insights from the SHIELD draft RFP
- What it means to be a “qualifying offeror”
- Proposal preparation, compliance, and team strategy
- Implications for firms across the 40+ eligible NAICS codes
What Makes SHIELD Different
Here’s what you need to know about the SHIELD draft RFP — and why this isn’t your typical billion-dollar vehicle:
- $151 Billion Ceiling, Minimal Submission Requirements. The technical volume is just 6 pages of corporate experience using a government-supplied template. No cost proposal. No staffing plans. No past performance narratives. If you’ve done the work and can document it, you qualify.
- All Qualifying Offerors Will Be Awarded. This is not a best-value competition. If your proposal is technically acceptable, compliant, and priced fairly at the task order level, you’ll receive an award.
- Security Requirements Are Deferred. A Facility Clearance (FCL) is not required to win a spot on the IDIQ. But many task orders will involve classified work, and DD254s will be issued at the task order level. If you don’t have an FCL, you’ll need a plan.
- No Discussions Expected. The government intends to award without discussions. Proposals must be final, compliant, and complete on first submission.
- First Task Order Is a Capability Statement. MDA plans to issue a $500 delivery order requiring each awardee to attend a virtual post-award conference and submit a public-facing capability statement. That document will be used by the government to identify task order performers.
- Corporate Experience is Narrowly Defined. Your submission must show recent (within 5 years), relevant work in at least two of SHIELD’s scope areas, with proper documentation. No signature or FPDS record? It won’t count.
- PIEE Submission Only. Proposals must be uploaded through the PIEE Solicitation Module. No email or mail options. Submission errors will not be forgiven.
How SHIELD Supports Golden Dome
While the draft RFP doesn’t name it directly, SHIELD is widely expected to serve as the primary contracting vehicle for the Golden Dome initiative—a national missile defense modernization effort led by MDA. Golden Dome aims to develop and deploy a layered defense architecture across air, space, land, and cyber domains. The technologies, services, and rapid prototyping capabilities procured through SHIELD will likely form the foundation of Golden Dome’s execution strategy.
Golden Dome Industry Summit – August 7, Huntsville, AL
The day after our webinar, MDA will host the Golden Dome for America Industry Summit at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. While separate from SHIELD, this event may preview key priorities and technologies that SHIELD awardees will help deliver.
Event Details:
- Date: August 7, 2025
- Time: 1:30 to 5:00 PM CT
- Location: Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL
- Classification: Unclassified
- Registration Deadline: August 5
- Attendee Limit: Two per company
- Register here: https://forms.osi.apps.mil/r/z8DKndBu1P
SHIELD Opportunity Snapshot:
- Contract Name: SHIELD IDIQ
- Agency: Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
- Draft RFP Released: July 24, 2025
- Final RFP Expected: Q4 FY25
- Contract Ceiling: $151 billion
- Period of Performance: 10 years
- Contract Type: Multiple Award IDIQ
- Primary NAICS: 541715 (plus 40+ others)
- PSC: AC13 – National Defense R&D Services
- Place of Performance: Huntsville, AL and beyond
- Draft Q&A Deadline: July 31
- OST Webinar: August 6
- Golden Dome Summit: August 7
Whether you’re a traditional defense firm, an advanced R&D shop, or a tech-forward small business, SHIELD offers a rare opportunity to secure long-term access to MDA’s most critical programs. Join our August 6 webinar to position your company for success.
