This is a sources sought announcement; a market survey for information only to be used for preliminary planning purposes. The purpose of this synopsis is to gain knowledge of potential sources for this project including interested small business sources. This notice is for planning purposes only. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this notice or any follow up information requests. All interested parties should respond.
THIS NOT A SOLICITATION ANOUNCEMENT.
The 145th Contracting Office intends to issue a solicitation and award a firm-fixed price contract to purchase Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) for short range and mid-range drones if funding become available. The Blue UAS Cleared list is required for this submittal and the following description:
Mid-range sUAS System
(3) sUAS systems with following essential characteristics:
DNAA compliant, so must be on the sUAS System should be on the Defense Innovation Unit approved Blue UAS list
Radio must be encrypted, such as AES 128/256
Maximum Gross takeoff weight of up to 4 pounds
Ability to hover in place
Ability to remain airborne without battery change for more than 60 minutes at cruise speed
Includes flight planning (ie mission planning) software specific for aerial mapping
Must include optical and thermal sensors
Ability to operate in wind speeds up to 35 miles per hour
Must include all necessary equipment for a fully operating transportable system, such as controller, batteries and chargers, hard case, etc. Should also include any/all factory provided interchangeable payloads if available.
(9) additional batteries for the above sUAS systems, above and beyond what are normally supplied from the factory system/kit
(2) Sessions of live instructor led operator training, having instructor travel to North Carolina for local instruction. Each session should train 4 operators.
Short Range sUAS System
(4) sUAS systems with following essential characteristics:
NDAA compliant, so must be on the Defense Innovation Unit Blue UAS list or a successfully waivered system
Maximum Gross takeoff weight of up to 4 pounds
Ability to hover in place
Must include or be compatible with flight planning (ie mission planning) software specific for aerial mapping, such as Pix4dCapture
Ability to operate on 2.4Ghz or 1.8Ghz frequency to comply with spectrum management requirements and allow for use on and off DoD installations worldwide
Minimum camera resolution of 20 megapixels, minimum 32x zoom to allow for accuracy and timely acquisition of images for mapping or building inspections
Must include a thermal/IR camera to be used for building inspection
Minimum flight time of 25 mins on a single battery
Must include drone and all ancillary components for a fully functioning system, to include at least 3 batteries, battery charger, ground control station, etc as well as a hard case to protect and transport all components listed. Transport case must fall within dimensions for carry-on luggage on standard commercial airlines.
(18) additional batteries for the sUAS system above and beyond what are normally supplied with the factory system/kit
All interested concerns will provide this office, in writing, the following information no later than Wednesday 18 July 2025, 3:00 pm EST. This information shall not exceed five (5) typed pages and must include the following:
(1) Positive statement of intent to bid as a prime contractor;
(2) Completed and signed Source Sought Information Request Form;
In the event a sufficient number of small business contractors are not available for adequate competition for this project, it may be advertised as unrestricted. Information shall be provided via email to: Capt Scott Thomas at Scott.Thomas.53@us.af.mil or SMSgt Bryant Alexander at Bryant.Alexander@us.af.mil. Include the following in the subject line: Sources Sought W50S87-25-Q-5006. Facsimile responses will NOT be honored.
