Blast Overpressure Protection

Overview

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) seeks to obtain innovative solutions that can reduce the hazards of blast overpressure within buildings and protective structures. The intent is to identify external concepts or technologies with potential for rapid prototyping and evaluation in a blast testing environment. Addressing this enhanced protective infrastructure can help reduce risk and support the long-term health and safety of soldiers.

Background and Operational Scenarios

Military personnel are routinely exposed to blast overpressure during training and operational activities, which presents serious health and safety risks. ERDC is seeking innovative material and structural retrofit solutions to mitigate blast overpressure effects within enclosed environments such as rooms, facilities, or buildings.

Military training increasingly relies on realistic, immersive scenarios conducted within enclosed or semi-enclosed structures such as training facilities. In operational environments, soldiers shelter from adversary attack within enclosed or semi-enclosed structures such bunkers and buildings. In both training and operational environments, personnel may be exposed to blast overpressure, a rapid rise in air pressure caused by explosive events. Exposure to blast has been associated with both acute and long-term health effects, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), auditory damage, and cognitive impairment. The relationship between blast exposure and health outcomes is not well understood.

Enclosed and semi-enclosed structures can amplify, reflect, and/or alter blast waves.  Blast exposure in enclosed and semi-enclosed structures has been linked to known health outcomes of TBI. The goal is to reduce blast exposure inside structures without compromising mission realism in training, facility functionality in operations, and logistical burden in operations. Retrofit solutions must therefore balance effectiveness with ease of installation, scalability, and compatibility with existing military construction standards.

Project Manager

Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)

Requirements

ERDC invites pre-proposals that introduce solutions that can reduce the hazards of blast overpressure within buildings and protective structures. 

This effort seeks modular, adaptable protective solutions suitable for various operational structures such as bunkers, dug-in fighting positions, trenches, and training environments like shoot houses. Proposed solutions should be flexible enough to perform in a range of scenarios, focusing on survivability, rapid installation, and minimal interference with operational functionality.

The initial test scenario will involve a basic bunker structure with the following dimensions:

• 8.5 ft wide x 7 ft high x 15 ft long
• Two functional exits must remain accessible.
• Solutions may be applied to any part of the structure (e.g., inside wall, ceiling, exterior, or around entrances), provided personnel can still enter/exit without obstruction.

At a later stage, submitted prototype solutions will be tested using a standard evaluation approach aligned to each scenario. Solutions that demonstrate versatility, modularity, and protective performance across multiple environments will be prioritized.

Estimated Government Funding Profile

Up to $300,000 may be invested in potential prototype solutions that will be tested in experiments.

Estimated Period of Performance

Rapid prototyping is anticipated, with prototypes to be available within three months from award.

Expected Result

ERDC gains an understanding of material solutions and the effects of those solutions on the blast environment within structures.

Submissions may be shared as appropriate with other ERDC stakeholders. The government has the authority to decline all submitted proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be reviewed based on the criteria described in ERDC’s CSO Solicitation document by ERDC subject matter experts. Submissions may be shared as appropriate with other ERDC stakeholders. The government has the authority to decline all submitted proposals. The government does not plan to engage in the debrief process outlined in FAR part 15 but will provide feedback to unsuccessful offerors as appropriate and at its discretion.

Notional Project Schedule

Proposed project milestones include:

November 24, 2025	Project Announced, Submissions Open
December 15, 2025	Question Period Ends, FAQ Document Finalized
December 22, 2025	Submissions Close
December 22, 2025-January 9, 2026	Review Period, Virtual Pitch Hosted (if needed)
January 12, 2026	Offerors Notified of Potential Next Steps

*Dates may vary to accommodate the project team and participant availability. The government may accelerate the pre-proposal review/feedback timeline, and therefore also require earlier delivery of full proposals.

Project Security Classification

This project announcement is unclassified.