Industry Participation in the future Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Innovation Hub at Blue Grass Army Depot

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of the Army for market research purposes to identify potential industry, academic, and other innovator partnerships for the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Innovation Hub at Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). The goal is to accelerate the development and fielding of UAS technologies for Army Soldiers through rapid prototyping and a collaborative ecosystem, informing the Army Materiel Command's (AMC) SkyFoundry initiative.

The hub will foster partnerships leveraging expertise in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. It will facilitate:

• Advanced sUAS flight testing in real-world environments.
• Realistic training environments and New Equipment Training (NET).
• Collaboration on autonomous navigation, AI-enabled target recognition, and electronic warfare countermeasures.
• A "hardware-in-the-loop" environment for software validation.
• Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships (P3).

Potential partners should demonstrate:

• Willingness to support Army drone dominance.
• History of collaboration with federal agencies, industry, and academia.
• Support for Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA).
• Ability to foster a collaborative and innovative atmosphere.
• Experience in rapid prototyping and system delivery.

Interested parties should submit:

• Part I: Business Information (Name, Address, CAGE/UEI, POC, Website, Business Size/Socioeconomic Status).
• Part II: Capabilities, Experience, and Interests (Description of UAS systems, support, collaboration experience, research studies, MOSA experience, teaming arrangements, AI specialization, interest in the hub, prototyping/fielding ability, and self-assessment of innovation).
• Part III: Guidance on Hub Development (Insights on IP protection, funding, facility access, airspace/spectrum requirements, challenges for small businesses, and factors for university collaboration).

Responses must be submitted electronically to ArmySkyFoundry@army.mil no later than February 11, 2026. The email subject line must be: "RFI Response_UAS Innovation Hub_Your Organization Name".

This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to issue a contract. Responses are not offers. No reimbursement will be made for response costs.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a flyer advertising the U.S. Army's UAS Innovation Hub at Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). It highlights BGAD's role as an innovation center to accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies into Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) through rapid prototyping, agile software development, and a collaborative ecosystem.

This document is relevant to potential bidders by showcasing the capabilities and resources available at BGAD for UAS development. It details:

• BGAD Offerings:
  • Two developed complexes of 10+ acres.
  • Over 600 acres for potential development opportunities.
  • A skilled workforce.
• SkyFoundry Complex Features:
  • 40,000 sq ft of office space with controlled storage.
  • SCIF space availability.
  • Access to flight testing airspace.
  • A helipad.
  • Upgraded power and newly renovated HVAC.
  • Proximity to Lexington, KY (~40 miles).
  • Opportunities for future test site expansion.
  • Varied terrain for battlefield simulation (urban, water, open).
  • Full Army garrison support services.
  • Secure site with controlled access.
  • Availability of Army investment.

It also provides contact information for the U.S. Army SkyFoundry Team for those interested in learning more.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Department of the Army for planning purposes to identify potential industry, academia, and innovator partnerships for the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Innovation Hub at Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). The goal is to accelerate the development and fielding of UAS technologies through rapid prototyping and a collaborative ecosystem, informing the Army Materiel Command's (AMC) SkyFoundry initiative.

The hub will foster partnerships to leverage expertise in AI, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. It will enable:

• Advanced sUAS flight testing in real-world environments.
• Realistic training environments and New Equipment Training (NET).
• Collaboration on autonomous navigation, AI-enabled target recognition, and electronic warfare countermeasures.
• A "hardware-in-the-loop" environment for software validation.
• Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships (P3).

Prospective partners should demonstrate:

• Willingness to support Army drone dominance.
• History of collaboration with government, industry, and academia.
• Support for Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA).
• Ability to foster a collaborative and innovative atmosphere.
• Experience in rapid prototyping and system delivery.

Interested parties should submit:

• Part I – Business Information: Company details, CAGE Code, UEI, POC, website, business size, and socioeconomic status.

• Part II – Capabilities, Experience, and Interests: Description of UAS systems, support experience, collaboration history, research studies, MOSA experience, teaming arrangements, AI specialization, interest in the hub, prototyping/fielding ability, and innovation assessment.

• Site Survey: January 21, 2026 (RSVP by January 16, 2026 to Mr. Thomas Viney and Mr. Russell Wand).

• Response Deadline: January 28, 2026, submitted electronically to ArmySkyFoundry@army.mil.

• Response Limit: 15 pages (excluding brochures/appendices).

• Email Subject: "RFI Response_UAS Innovation Hub_Your Organization Name"

This RFI is for information and planning only and does not commit the government to a contract. Responses are not offers. No reimbursement for costs incurred in responding. An attachment, "BGAD Flyer," is included.