US Marine Corps issues new, sole-source contract to Polaris Government and Defense for MRZR Alpha Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicles (ULTV).
~
Press Release, Minneapolis, 22 May 2026: The United States Marine Corps (USMC) has awarded Polaris Government and Defense a sole-source contract to continue production and delivery of the MRZR Alpha Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV).
The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded through Program Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE-MC) is valued at up to $98M, with an order period of up to five years. The MRZR Alpha is Polaris’ most advanced light tactical vehicle, engineered to meet the evolving demands of expeditionary forces. Designed for enhanced payload capacity, tactical air transport and off-road performance, the MRZR Alpha enables rapid unit deployment and exceptional manoeuvrability across difficult terrain while reducing logistical demand due to the vehicle’s superior durability.
This new contract also includes the MRZR Alpha 5kW exportable power variant for the first time, along with funding for continued support from Polaris engineering and logistics teams. The availability of 5kW of exportable power at 24v – while stationary or on-the-move – addresses the ever-increasing demand from power-hungry systems, including tactical edge computing and air defence systems. It also provides the ability to power external loads like a forward operating tactical grid, which are critical enablers of littoral operations in contested environments. Integration of the additional export power does not compromise the vehicle’s original purpose, maintaining the capability to haul two litters and other mission critical supplies while eliminating the need for a generator and freeing up critical cargo space.
This latest award reinforces the USMC’s commitment to its Force Design modernisation efforts, with the MRZR Alpha ULTV providing critical off-road mobility for infantry, reconnaissance and logistics units. To date, US Marines have more than 500 MRZR Alphas. Marines continue to deploy, train and test the platform in a variety of roles, including logistics platform, infantry manoeuvre, MEDEVAC, counter-drone, communications command and control and ground refuelling for aircraft. As part of a broader wheeled vehicle fleet, MRZR Alpha ULTVs support the Marine Corps’ mission readiness, operational flexibility and distributed operations strategy.
“The ULTV is a highly capable and configurable platform that enhances Marine Corps readiness across the board,” said Jennifer Moore, programme manager, Program Acquisition Executive Marine Corps (PAE MC). “We’ve worked closely with the engineering team at Polaris to expand on its capabilities even further, including the introduction of the high-power variant, which opens new possibilities for communications and systems integration.”
Engineered for rapid deployment, the MRZR Alpha ULTV is an internally transportable vehicle (ITV) capable of being carried inside MV-22 and CH-53 helicopters. This “fly-and-drive” capability allows Marine Expeditionary Units to maintain high mobility in contested or anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments.
“Marines are known for adapting quickly – Any Clime and Place – and expect the same level of performance from the MRZR Alpha ULTV. This new contract enables us to continue leveraging our off-road engineering expertise to meet their evolving operational needs, whether that’s an increase in exportable power, towing capacity or payload,” said Erin Telander, Defense programme manager, Polaris Government and Defense. “Polaris has been solving mobility challenges for its military customers worldwide for decades – with a significant number of those advancements made in partnership with the US Marine Corps over the last 10 years.”
Expeditionary warfighters operating worldwide in austere terrain require modular platforms that can adjust to multiple environments and modes of transport – tactical air, fixed wing plane and surface shipping – now more than ever. A single MRZR Alpha can be transformed into multiple configurations for varying missions, serving as a force multiplier for Marines.
The Marine Corps originally purchased MRZR Alpha light tactical vehicles using a GSA contract awarded from USSOCOM’s Program Manager for Family of Special Operations Vehicles (PM-FOSOV). That contract ceiling was raised from $109M to $130M and the additional contract extensions were exercised in July of 2025. Each of these contracts reinforce the ultimate value that Polaris brings to the warfighter – a responsive and engaged team with off-road engineering expertise, world-class manufacturing and a built-in global support network.
Commercial platforms like the Polaris MRZR Alpha have been instrumental in accelerating delivery of highly mobile systems to the field. Polaris provides global parts availability through its existing worldwide network of dealers and distributors, empowering greater self-sufficiency for distributed forces.
~
US DoW Contract Notice, Arlington VA, 22 May 2026: Polaris Government & Defense, Medina, Minnesota, is awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a maximum contract ceiling, including all ordering years, of $98,245,654.
This contract is for Ultra-Light Tactical Vehicle Production of Logistics and High-Power variants to provide to the operational forces capable of internal transport on MV-22 tilt rotor and HC-53 rotary wing aircraft for employment during littoral operations. This procurement will meet Force Design 2030 priority integration and fielding of systems in accordance with fielding schedules of III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), II MEF, supporting establishments, and integrated programs.
Work will be performed in Medina, Minnesota, and shipped according to each individual delivery order based upon the fielding schedules and needs of the MEF’s or supporting establishments and to the extent that funds are authorised and appropriated by Congress with an expected completion date of May 2031. No funds will be obligated at time of award of the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was a sole source acquisition pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii). Program Acquisition Executive – Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity.
~
