Full Breakdown
Selective Service System Issues RFQ for Draft-Readiness Simulation Software
7/24/2026, 9:46:09 PM
Core Procurement Announcement
The Selective Service System (SSS), the independent agency responsible for administering a U.S. draft if needed, has opened a request for quotes (RFQ) for software that can model the full mobilization pipeline of military personnel during national emergencies. Vendors may begin submitting proposals now, with the question-submission window closing at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, July 28. Final proposals are expected by mid-August.
Context and Upcoming Registration Change
Although the U.S. armed forces remain all-volunteer, SSS maintains registration lists for males aged 18-25 and a special-skills database drawn from professional licensing records in health-care fields. The agency is preparing for a policy shift later in the year that will move from a self-registration requirement to an automatic registration system that pulls data from other federal databases. This transition drives the need for rapid, scenario-based analysis of staffing and resource gaps.
Software Requirements and Procurement Timeline
The RFQ specifies that the selected platform must:
- Model end-to-end mobilization, from initial call-up through deployment.
- Support configurable “what-if” scenarios for different mobilization policies.
- Provide decision-support analytics for leaders, planners, and operators.
- Operate within an SSS-designated cloud environment using anonymized aggregate data.
- Allow complete government ownership and long-term sustainment.
Quotes are due by mid-August, after which SSS will evaluate proposals against these criteria and award a contract to develop the simulation capability.
Anticipated Uses and Impact
SSS intends the software to compare alternative mobilization policies, assess operational impacts of surge conditions, identify bottlenecks, and support executive planning and reporting obligations. By simulating staffing needs and resource requirements, the agency aims to improve readiness assessments and reduce the time required to evaluate draft scenarios in an emergency.
Next Steps
Following the mid-August deadline, SSS will review submissions, select a vendor, and integrate the tool into its cloud environment. The agency will then use the system to inform future policy decisions, particularly as the automatic registration mechanism comes online in December.
