Call for Solutions for UAS Marketplace Onboarding of Group 1 and 2 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Launched Effects (LE)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This "Call for Solutions" (CSO) seeks to acquire and onboard innovative commercial Vertical and/or Short Take-off and Landing (V/STOL) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Launched Effects (LE) into the UAS Marketplace. The initiative aims to accelerate the delivery of UAS capabilities to the U.S. Army by leveraging the commercial drone market's dynamism and innovation, moving away from traditional, lengthy development cycles. The primary goal is to identify and assess solutions for placement on the UAS Marketplace, leading to a Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA), not a production contract.

• The document seeks Group 1 and 2 UAS and Launched Effects (LE) that are production-ready and capable of performing missions such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA), electronic warfare, communications relay, or strike.

• Technical attributes are detailed in Attachment 1, Statement of Objectives (SOO).

• Offerors must demonstrate innovative, existing, verifiable commercial solutions.

• Compliance with Section 848 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 is mandatory, prohibiting procurement from covered foreign countries (including China). Offerors must provide a Bill of Materials (BOM) and support supply chain verification.

• Cybersecurity requirements, including NIST SP 800-171 and potentially CMMC, must be met.

• The Government intends to establish one or more Firm-Fixed-Price Basic Ordering Agreements (BOAs).

• A BOA is not a contract and does not obligate funds or guarantee future orders; it establishes terms for potential future orders.

• Procurements may utilize various instruments, including other government agency contracts or alternate vehicles.

• This is an open and continuous Call for Solutions with an initial cut-off date of April 17, 2026, with subsequent submissions evaluated on a continuous, rolling basis.

• A three-step evaluation process:

  • Step 1: Initial Capability Assessment (ICA) via Initial Acceptance Packet (IAP).
  • Step 2: Verification Activities Questionnaire (VAQ) and NDAA Compliance Assessment.
  • Step 3: Full Proposal (Technical and Price/Business Volumes) to establish a BOA.

• Evaluation focuses on alignment with government needs, technical feasibility, innovation, operational effectiveness, system integrity, logistics, and technical merit.

• A Flight Demonstration will be conducted for offerors rated Fully Compliant or Partially Compliant in Step 1.

• Pricing will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness in Step 3.

• Offerors must be responsible contractors (FAR Part 9.1), possess a UEI and active SAM.gov registration, have a CAGE code, and be registered in the government invoicing system.

• No specific set-aside is mentioned; it appears to be open to all responsible contractors.

• Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for amendments.

• Non-Government advisors may be used in evaluations.

• Offerors must perform an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) analysis.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

This SOO outlines the high-level objectives for innovative, commercially available Group 1 and 2 Vertical and/or Short Take-off and Landing (V/STOL) Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Launched Effects (LE) to be onboarded to the UAS Marketplace. The goal is to acquire hardware, software, and lifecycle support services through the offeror's established commercial practices.

• The SOO applies to innovative Group 1 and 2 commercial V/STOL UAS and LE solutions.

• Solutions must be capable of performing missions such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA), electronic warfare, communications relay, or strike.

• For Launched Effects (LE), the primary objective is to deliver lethal and non-lethal effects to enable maneuver and achieve local fire support superiority.

• Key capabilities for LE include extended reach, autonomous/semi-autonomous operation, mission diversity, and collaborative teaming.

• The Government will rely on the contractor's existing quality assurance system.

• Delivery and services (training, repairs) will occur at CONUS and OCONUS locations as specified in individual orders.

• System Attributes: Vendors must address Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) strategy, interoperability, and data rights. Enhanced data rights for repair, modification, and training are sought beyond standard commercial terms.

• Core Operational Capabilities: Systems must include a functional air vehicle, at least one integrated payload, secure command and control (C2) datalink (minimum AES-256 encryption), and documentation establishing flight safety or a plan to achieve it.

• Innovative Features: Information on advanced autonomy, superior flight performance, modular/multi-function payloads, all-weather operation, reduced soldier burden, and resilience in contested environments is required.

• Required Supporting Deliverables: Hardware (Air Vehicles, Ground Control Stations, ancillary equipment, Mission Payloads), Data & Documentation (Technical Manuals, Interface & Integration Data, Commercial Price List, Supply & Inventory Data), and Services (Logistics & Sustainment Support, Training).

• Security: Robust cybersecurity posture (DFARS 252.204-7019, NIST SP 800-171), adherence to classification requirements (base effort is UNCLASSIFIED), Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), and Operations Security (OPSEC) are mandatory.

• Inspection and Acceptance: Will be conducted per individual order terms, potentially based on contractor's quality control system or certificates of conformance.