July 20, 2026

The government seeks a permanently mounted, vehicle integrated auxiliary heating system capable of safely operating and must provide dependable heat while minimizing logistical burden, fuel consumption, maintenance requirements, and operational risk. Modern operational environments also create opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, enhance safety, increase reliability, and integrate emerging technologies that support expeditionary sustainment objectives.

Background
The performance requirements for military space heaters designed to provide reliable, safe, and efficient heating in austere operational environments are established in MIL-PRF-62550F(AT). This specification focuses on heater performance, environmental durability, safety, maintainability, and transportability rather than prescribing a specific design solution. Systems developed to this specification are expected to support military personnel, equipment, shelters, maintenance facilities, and expeditionary operations across a wide range of climates and operating conditions. The current item in the US government inventory is NSN: 2540-01-396-2826.

The primary objective of this effort is to manufacture and qualify a Type II, Class II heater in accordance with (IAW) MIL-PRF-62550F. Because this heater is a Critical Safety Item (CSI), competitive reprocurement requires strict adherence to TACOM Engineering Support Activity (ESA) approvals. SOW will require the delivery of a complete Level 3 Technical Data Package (TDP), including parametric CAD models

This project is to qualify an industry participant’s proposed fuel fired heater for a possible future fuel fired heater Request for Quote (RFQ) from the US Government.

Key Capability Areas
Heating Performance

  • Rapid and effective heating of occupied or operational spaces.
  • Consistent performance across varying environmental conditions.
  • Ability to maintain required temperatures in extreme cold-weather environments.

Fuel Flexibility and Efficiency

  • Efficient fuel consumption to reduce logistical support requirements.
  • Compatibility with military fuel sources when applicable.
  • Technologies that improve thermal efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Safety

  • Protection against fire, burn hazards, fuel leaks, and carbon monoxide exposure.
  • Safe operation within occupied spaces.
  • Integrated monitoring and fault detection capabilities.

Environmental Durability

  • Reliable operation in extreme temperatures, wind, precipitation, dust, and other environmental conditions.
  • Resistance to corrosion, vibration, shock, and transportation-related stresses.
  • Long service life with minimal performance degradation.

Expeditionary and Deployable Design

  • Reduced size, weight, and power requirements.
  • Must meet current envelope and drop-in replacement ready (envelope / footprint to be provided by Government)
  • Ease of transport, setup, operation, and teardown.
  • Support for rapidly deployable military operations.

Reliability and Maintainability

  • Reduced maintenance burden.
  • Simplified troubleshooting and repair procedures.
  • Modular components and reduced lifecycle sustainment costs.

Advanced Technologies of Interest
Potential modernization opportunities may include:

  • High-efficiency combustion technologies.
  • Hybrid or alternative energy heating systems.
  • Intelligent controls and automated temperature regulation.
  • Remote monitoring and diagnostic capabilities.
  • Emissions reduction technologies.
  • Advanced materials that reduce weight while improving durability.
  • Improved fuel management and energy optimization solutions.

Potential Responding Industry Segments
Organizations with capabilities in the following areas may be well positioned to support future requirements:

  • Military environmental control systems (ECS)
  • Tactical shelter systems
  • Portable industrial heating systems
  • Commercial HVAC technologies
  • Expeditionary energy systems
  • Fuel-burning appliance manufacturers
  • Defense sustainment and logistics technology providers
  • Advanced materials and thermal management companies
  • Alternative energy and hybrid power system developers

Technical Challenges
Industry respondents should consider the following common challenges associated with military heater development:

  • Compliance with military environmental testing requirements.
  • Operation in extreme climatic conditions.
  • Balancing heating output with fuel efficiency.
  • Meeting safety requirements in occupied spaces.
  • Supporting military fuel compatibility requirements.
  • Reducing system weight without sacrificing durability.
  • Achieving high reliability with minimal maintenance.
  • The MIL-PRF-62550F heater is a Type II, Class II Vehicular Compartment Heater and is considered a Critical Safety Item.

Submission Requirements
Please download the linked Microsoft Word Document template. Once the template has been filled out, please save it as a PDF and email the submission to opportunities@ncms.org. Submissions are due back to opportunities@ncms.org by EOD August, 21, 2026. TEMPLATE

The Government requires unlimited rights in all technical data, reports, documentation, drawings, specifications, software, and other deliverables developed exclusively with Government funds under the resulting project. Unlimited rights shall permit the Government to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose the deliverables, in whole or in part, for any purpose, and to authorize others to do so.
Respondents shall identify in their submissions any pre-existing, proprietary, privately funded, or third-party data or software that cannot be provided with unlimited rights. Any proposed restrictions must be clearly described and may be considered during the evaluation. The Government’s requirement for unlimited rights does not automatically extend to properly identified pre-existing intellectual property incorporated into the proposed solution.

The Government seeks proposals from industry regarding existing or emerging technologies capable of meeting or exceeding the performance requirements outlined in MIL-PRF-62550F(AT). Responses should identify current capabilities, technology readiness levels, anticipated development timelines, manufacturing capacity, sustainment considerations, and potential approaches for improving safety, efficiency, reliability, transportability, and operational effectiveness of military space heating systems

Information Requested from Industry
Interested organizations may be asked to provide:

  • Company overview and relevant experience.
    • Past work experiences w/ government
  • Description of proposed technology or solution.
  • Applicable military, commercial, or industry certifications.
  • Performance specifications and operational capabilities.
  • Fuel requirements and efficiency metrics.
  • Environmental operating limits.
  • Technology Readiness Level (TRL).
  • Estimated development timeline and production capacity.
  • Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate.
  • Intellectual property, export control, and data rights considerations.
  • Timing for Phase 1 – 3. Government is requesting the below aggressive schedule for Phase 1 – 3 deliverables. If this schedule cannot be met, please provide best possible timing for each Phase. (below only highlights major deliverables)
    • Phase 1 – September 30, 2026
      • Delivery of min. qty 1 Prototype FFH
      • SAR Package
      • DFMECA
      • Indentured BOM
    • Phase 2 – November 1, 2026
      • Delivery of min. qty 3 Production Representative FFH
      • Testing Plan and Final
      • Execute PFMECA
      • Final Indentured BOM
      • Production Readiness Level
      • Manufacturing Readiness Level
    • Phase 3 – October 1, 2027
      • Delivery of 30 – 50 Test Article FFH
      • Final Technical Data Package – Level 3
      • Val/Ver
      • Deliver Final Technical Manual and Provisioning Data

Prototype Development / Demonstration Requirements

  • Prototype development shall follow a “hybrid” version of the Defense Acquisition Process, with formalized milestones, technical reviews, testing, and decision gates to determine if the industry participant technology is approved to be advanced to the next milestone activity. A draft project schedule with major milestones, decision gates and approximate schedule/timeline (in months) is required.
  • The Product Support Article milestone is to deliver between 30 and 50 Fuel Fired Heaters
  • Quality assurance documentation, test plans/inspections/results, control plans, technical manual verification/validation, user manual, maintenance manual and new equipment training are required.
  • A complete Level 3 Technical Data Package, including CAD models, engineering data and BOM/provisioning package shall be provided to enable full government sustainment and reprocurement.
  • All technology and data developed under this project are subject to Government Purpose Rights.

Disclaimer and Other Legal Information

NCMS encourages the participation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs), including Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs).

Responding to a Sources Sought, RFI, or Survey does not guarantee that a CTMA Program initiative will result. By submitting a response, you are agreeing to allow NCMS to share your information with the United States government. All submissions containing
proprietary information shall be marked accordingly.

Any industry or academia participant awarded a contract by a participating government sponsor pursuant to a Sources Sought, RFI, or Survey will be compensated, under the agreement, on a cost-reimbursable basis. Each project participant will be expected to share in the total project cost by contributing cash or in-kind resources.

Under the CTMA Program, the parties shall limit participation on the project to (1) U.S. citizens, (2) lawful permanent residents as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20), (3) other protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), and (4) Canadian citizens (pursuant to the principles underlying the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement), if such participation will involve visual inspection of the Technology, Intellectual Property or Technical Information, or oral exchanges of information about the foregoing. We also require the project participants to furnish NCMS, upon request, with proof of the citizenship status of its personnel participating on the project, including (1) U.S. citizens; (2) legal permanent residents; and (3) foreign nationals who are not permanent residents. In instances where it is necessary to involve foreign national employees in the visual inspection of the Technology, Intellectual Property, or Technical Information, or oral exchanges of information about the foregoing, the parties will be required to furnish to NCMS proof of appropriate valid export license, or technical assistance agreement, or exemption from licensing requirements (e.g. Canadian exemption) to the extent required by the International Traffic In Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). A copy of such license or agreement shall be furnished to NCMS before any disclosure of information to such foreign person. In the event a party believes that the subject matter of the project agreement is not covered by ITAR, that party may request a written waiver of the requirements of foreign national provision in the CTMA Agreement, which may be granted if the NCMS contracting officer agrees that ITAR does not cover the subject matter.

These requirements also apply to individuals who have dual citizenship status.