Exercise Drone Support

Statement of Work (SOW)

To define the effort required by a contractor to supply service/training opportunities for military exercise operations and procedures, specifically supporting a 300-level Wing Training Exercise for the 23d Wing.

• Conduct full-spectrum operation of up to two (2) Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) during a specified exercise window.

• Provide Group 3 UASs and associated equipment for maintenance and operation.

• Perform launch and recovery operations for the UASs.

• Participate in mission planning with affiliated Mission Generation Force Elements (MGFEs).

• Operate in designated air spaces.

• Emulate adversary unmanned aircraft systems with manned or unmanned Group 3 drones.

• Maintain continuous communication with a designated planning cell POC during exercise activities.

• Ensure UASs can reach designated Military Operating Areas (MOAs) from departure/landing locations.

• Flying operations are scheduled for three (3) consecutive days in mid-April 2026.

• Operations will be conducted for 2 hours each day.

• Services will be conducted off the coast of SE Georgia, United States, over open water in a designated MOA.

• Mission planning will occur near the MOA in a secure military facility.

• The contractor must own the UASs; they will not be procured under this contract.

• The training objective involves "Low & slow fixed wing UAS threat detection and targeting" with "DRY Non-Kinetic operations" (no live fire).

• The contractor must have the ability to submit required 14 CFR Part 107 Waivers or 49 U.S.C section 44807 exemptions by March 15th and receive FAA approval prior to operations.

• Applicable documents include 14 CFR Part 107 and 49 U.S.C. § 44807.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document, "Attachment 9: Questions & Answers Matrix," provides clarifications and responses to vendor inquiries regarding the solicitation.

• Exercise Duration and Timing: The exercise mentioned in SOW Para 3.2 will last two (2) hours each day. The exercise period will occur during mid-April 2026, specifically for three consecutive days, with two hours of activity each day during daylight hours.

• This clarification resulted in a change to the PWS, as indicated by "YES" in the "Resulted in change of PWS" column, referencing Attachment 9, SOW Para 3.2.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the operation and maintenance of two (2) Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to support training exercises. The service is for fixed-wing, multi-drone operations.

• Operation and maintenance of two (2) Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

• Conduct fixed-wing, multi-drone operations.

• Support a 300-level Wing Training Exercise.

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price.

• Period of Performance: Mid-April 2026.

• Offers are due by 17 March 2026, 02:00 PM Local Time.

• The government intends to award a contract based on Price, Technical, and Past Performance.

• Offers must be submitted by the specified due date and time.

• Offerors agree to hold prices firm for 60 calendar days from the offer due date.

• The acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 611430 (Professional and Management Development Training) with a size standard of $15,000,000.00.

• The solicitation includes various FAR and DFARS clauses, including those related to electronic submission of payment requests (WAWF), service contract labor standards, and prohibitions on certain telecommunications equipment.

• Attachments include a Statement of Work, Wage Determinations, Contract Insurance Compliance, Questions and Answers, and relevant CFR/USC sections.

Other / Unclassified

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This document does not contain substantive information related to the SAM.gov opportunity. It serves as a technical notification and does not provide details on requirements, deliverables, or submission instructions for potential bidders.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a section of U.S. Code (49 U.S.C. §44807) detailing the "Special authority for certain unmanned aircraft systems." It outlines the framework for the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use a risk-based approach for determining how unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) can operate safely in the national airspace system.

Key aspects include:

• Assessment Requirements: Mandates the FAA to assess UAS based on factors like size, weight, speed, operational capability, proximity to airports and populated areas, operation over people, and visual line of sight (VLOS) or beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
• Operational Approvals: Authorizes the FAA to establish requirements or processes for safe UAS operations, including expedited approvals for low-risk BVLOS operations and operations within 100 feet of the ground or a structure.
• Mitigation Measures: Specifies requirements for operations within a Mode C Veil, such as using detect-and-avoid capabilities and air traffic control communication.
• Sunset Clause: The authority granted by this section terminates effective September 30, 2033.
• Waiver Authority: Allows the FAA Administrator to waive applicable regulations without formal rulemaking, provided it is consistent with aviation safety.

This statute is highly relevant to any vendor seeking to operate or develop technology for unmanned aircraft systems within the U.S. national airspace. It defines the regulatory pathway and the FAA's authority to grant approvals and set safety requirements for UAS operations, including BVLOS and operations over people. Understanding this statute is crucial for bidders whose opportunities involve UAS technology, integration, or services that fall under the FAA's purview for safety and airspace management.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To provide fixed-wing, multi-drone operations in support of a 300-level Wing Training Exercise for the 23d Wing. The exercise aims to train for "Low & slow fixed wing UAS threat detection and targeting" using drones as red forces in a "DRY Non-Kinetic" (no live fire) scenario.

• Conduct full-spectrum operation of up to 2 Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs).

• Perform launch and recovery operations for the UASs.

• Participate in mission planning with affiliated Mission Generation Force Elements (MGFEs).

• Operate within designated airspaces.

• Control drones to emulate adversary unmanned aircraft systems.

• Maintain continuous communication with a designated planning cell POC during exercise activities.

• Flying operations will occur in mid-April for 2 hours each day.

• Services will be conducted off the coast of SE Georgia, United States, over water in a designated Military Operating Area (MOA).

• Mission planning will occur near the MOA in a secure military facility.

• Contractor must provide up to 2 Group 3 UASs and associated equipment.

• Contractor must ensure all UASs are owned by the contractor and not specifically procured for this contract.

• Contractor must have the ability to reach designated MOAs from their departure/landing location.

• Contractor must be able to submit required 14 CFR Part 107 Waivers or 49 U.S.C section 44807 exemptions and receive FAA approval prior to operations (deadline: March 15th).

• 14 CFR Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

• 49 U.S.C. § 44807 Special Authority for Certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems

• POC: Capt Ryan Lowery, 23d WG A-Staff A36

• ALT: Capt Marcel Alves, 23d WG A-Staff A5

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Wage and Hour Division, under the Service Contract Act. It specifies minimum wage rates and fringe benefits for various occupations in Georgia (specifically Bryan, Chatham, and Effingham counties).

This document is relevant to potential bidders as it outlines the minimum wage and fringe benefit requirements that must be met for employees working on a contract covered by this wage determination. Bidders must ensure their proposed labor costs align with these requirements to be compliant. It details specific hourly rates for a wide range of job classifications, from administrative support to technical occupations, and includes information on health and welfare benefits, vacation, and holidays. The document also provides guidance on how to handle occupations not explicitly listed through a conformance process (SF-1444).

Other / Unclassified

This document is a Wage Determination issued under the Service Contract Act (SCA). It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations employed on U.S. Government contracts nationwide, specifically for flying services. It lists rates for Airplane Pilot, First Officer (Co-Pilot), and Aerial Photographer.

This document is crucial for bidders on government contracts involving aerial services. It specifies the minimum hourly wage rates and required fringe benefits (health & welfare, vacation, holidays) that must be paid to employees performing contract work. Bidders must incorporate these rates into their proposals to ensure compliance with the Service Contract Act. It also outlines procedures for conforming unlisted occupations to established wage rates and includes notes on Executive Orders related to paid sick leave and minimum wage for federal contractors.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions and clarifications related to the solicitation.

• Attachment 8, PPQ: Confirmed as a submission requirement.
• Attachment 1, PWS: Referenced for clarification on Paragraph 2.4.(c).
• SF 1449 Section B: Referenced for clarification.

This document clarifies specific submission requirements and references other documents, potentially impacting proposal preparation. No changes to due dates or submission rules are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 107, which outlines the rules and regulations for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (small UAS) in the United States. It serves as a reference for understanding the legal framework governing drone operations.

• Subpart A: General - Covers applicability, definitions, and compliance requirements.
• Subpart B: Operating Rules - Details rules for safe operation, including remote pilot requirements, registration, medical conditions, hazardous operations, and restrictions on flying at night, over people, or in certain airspaces.
• Subpart C: Remote Pilot Certification - Outlines the requirements for obtaining and maintaining a remote pilot certificate, including knowledge tests, training, and eligibility criteria.
• Subpart D: Operations Over Human Beings - Specifies the conditions and categories (Category 1-4) under which small UAS can be operated over people.
• Subpart E: Waivers - Describes the process and regulations for obtaining waivers from certain provisions of Part 107.

This document is crucial for any bidder intending to operate small unmanned aircraft systems. It details the legal and operational requirements that must be met, including pilot certification, aircraft registration, flight limitations (altitude, speed, visibility), and specific rules for operating in various environments (e.g., near airports, over people). Understanding these regulations is essential for ensuring compliance and successful execution of any UAS-related tasks or services.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This SOW defines the effort required for a contractor to supply service/training opportunities for EX operations and procedures, specifically focusing on fixed-wing, multi-drone operations in support of a 300-level Wing Training Exercise.

• Provide full-spectrum operation of two (2) Group 3 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs).

• Conduct launch and recovery operations.

• Participate in mission planning with affiliated MGFEs.

• Operate in designated air spaces, emulating adversary unmanned aircraft systems.

• Maintain continuous communication with a designated planning cell POC.

• Activities will be conducted off the coast over water, focusing on low & slow fixed-wing UAS threat detection and targeting (DRY operations, no live fire).

• Drones will operate as red forces.

• Activities will be conducted off the coast over water.

• Period: April [REDACTED], 2026, through April [REDACTED], 2026.

• Location: Services will be conducted at the [REDACTED], with drone flying operations in W-137 (Surface Control – 30,000 feet Above Ground Level) and W-138 (Surface Control – 30,000 feet Above Ground Level). Launch & recover operations will be at the vendor's discretion.

• Operating Hours: Flying operations will be conducted for 4 hours each day.

• Contractor must provide 2x Group 3 UASs and associated equipment.

• Contractor must ensure any manned or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) are already owned and not specifically procured for this contract.

• Contractor must have the ability to take-off and land at Beaufort Executive and Reach W-137 and W-138 Military Operations Areas (MOAs).

• Must have Anti-Collision lights for night operations.

• Crucially, the contractor must obtain any necessary Part 107 Waivers by March 15th due to inability to meet standard Part 107 Requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, waivers for: Operation at Night, Visual Line of Sight Aircraft Operation, Operation Near Aircraft, Operation over Human Beings, Groundspeed limitations, and Altitude limitations.

• PLANORD 25-004: Exercise [REDACTED]-26-3

• 14 CFR Part 107 – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems