The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has issued the final RFP for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) IDIQ, a $151 billion, 10-year multiple-award vehicle. This enterprise-wide contract enables MDA and other DoD entities to issue rapid task orders under one flexible acquisition channel.
Questions are due by September 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CDT. Proposals are due by October 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. CDT.
If you’re in the R&D space, you must get on SHIELD. All technically acceptable offerors will receive awards, making compliance the deciding factor.
Opportunity Snapshot
- Agency: Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
- Solicitation Number: HQ085925RE001
- Contract Vehicle: SHIELD IDIQ (Multiple Award, Full & Open Competition)
- Ceiling Value: $151 Billion
- Period of Performance: 10 years (base + option periods)
- NAICS: 541715 (R&D in Physical, Engineering, Life Sciences except nanotech/biotech), plus others (see solicitation attachments)
- PSC: AC13 – National Defense R&D Services; Experimental Development
- Q&A Deadline: September 15, 2025, 3:00 p.m. CDT
- Proposal Due Date: October 10, 2025, 4:00 p.m. CDT
- Primary Contact: SHIELD IDIQ Team – [email protected]
Why This Matters
SHIELD is more than missile defense—it is a DoD enterprise vehicle spanning R&D, integration, IT, and technical services. The $151B ceiling signals that this vehicle will be the gateway to future task order opportunities for the next decade. Getting on SHIELD is critical, since only awardees can compete at the task order level, where the real work (and revenue) will be won.
Webinar Recap – Competing for SHIELD
In our recent webinar, OST Global Solutions CEO David Huff shared strategies for becoming a qualifying offeror and positioning for success under SHIELD:
- Golden Dome Alignment: SHIELD is central to DoD’s modernization strategy. Align your proposal with long-term Golden Dome priorities to stand out.
- Focus on Attachment L-04: With no cost volumes or narrative past performance, the Corporate Experience form (L-04) is the centerpiece of your submission. It must be concise, compliant, and compelling.
- Qualifying Offeror Standards: David explained exactly what makes an offeror “qualifying” under SHIELD—and what pitfalls to avoid.
- First Task Order Insight: MDA will issue an initial $500 task order and virtual kickoff meeting post-award—setting the stage for how work will flow under the vehicle.
- Next Steps: Begin drafting your L-04 now, build partnerships (especially for classified task orders), and stay tuned to Golden Dome objectives.
Watch the Full Webinar & Download the Slides
How OST Can Help You Win
OST has supported clients on large-scale vehicles like OASIS+, CIO-SP4, and ASTRO. For SHIELD, we can:
- Guide you through Attachment L-04 development
- Provide compliance checks to keep you eligible
- Deliver proposal management and writing support under tight deadlines
- Help you prepare to compete effectively at the task order level
This opportunity does not come around often. Call us to help secure your position on SHIELD.
Contact OST today.
