Pentagon acquisition executive Ashton Carter on Feb. 25 signed the authorization for the Army to release its request for proposals (RfP) for the Ground Combat Vehicle, the service's next-generation full-spectrum-combat troop carrier.

The RfP is expected to go up on the FedBizOps Web site by the end of the day.

Carter and Army officials met Feb. 12 for the material development decision, but that approval was delayed while service officials answered Carter's questions about acquisition strategy. The Army wants to issue the RfP before finishing its formal analysis of alternatives, an unusual move that Carter eventually approved.

The RfP indicates that the award will be a cost-plus contract, not the fixed-price deal that President Obama's administration favors for most large weapon programs. Army officials have said that cost-plus contracts during the technology development phase allow for more innovation and risk-taking.

Bidders will have 60 days to respond.