Mapping Essentials – Drone Package - Lubbock TX

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the "Buy American Certificate" provision (FAR 52.225-2, Oct 2022). It requires offerors to certify the domestic content of end products and critical components proposed in their offers.

• Offeror Certification: Bidders must certify that end products are domestic and that domestic end products contain a critical component.
• Foreign End Products: A table is provided for listing foreign end products, their country of origin, and whether they exceed 55% domestic content.
• Domestic End Products with Critical Components: A section to list line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component.
• Definitions: Refers to definitions within the "Buy American-Supplies" clause for terms like COTS item, critical component, domestic end product, and foreign end product.
• Evaluation: States that the Government will evaluate offers in accordance with FAR Part 25.

Bidders must complete and submit this certificate as part of their proposal. Failure to provide accurate information may impact the evaluation of their offer and compliance with the Buy American Act requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the "Salient Characteristics and Specifications" for a Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) required for high throughput phenotyping, plant breeding, and digital agronomy/physiology research at the USDA-ARS Cropping Systems Research Laboratory. It details the specific technical requirements for the UAS to capture high-resolution RGB and multispectral imagery.

1. Aircraft Platform:

• Must be NDAA/Bluelist compliant.
• Flight endurance: up to 43 minutes (no payload), 31 minutes (with LR1 payload), 20 minutes (at max payload).
• Maximum payload capacity: 3 kg.
• Folding boom design for transport.
• Compatible with interchangeable payload systems (vibration-isolated mounting, hard-mount dovetail).
• Standard Remote ID enabled.
• Optional LTE connectivity for North America.

2. Ground Control System (Pilot Pro Controller):

• Handheld controller with high-resolution rockers.
• Modular radio bay compatible with NDAA/DIU Blue-compliant Doodle Labs 2.4 GHz radio.
• Internal battery with hot-swap capability.
• Integrated emergency kill-switch.
• Includes pre-configured 8-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 display unit.

3. Payload Systems:

• LR1 High-Resolution Mapping Payload: 3-axis stabilized gimbal, Sony ILX-LR1 61-megapixel camera, 24 mm f/3.5 mapping lens.
• Sentera 6X Multispectral Sensor: Six-camera array (20MP RGB, five 3.2MP multispectral), simultaneous RGB/multispectral capture, up to 5 fps, compatible with radiometric correction workflows.

4. Transport Case:

• Designed for field operations, fits aircraft, controller, LR1 payload, chargers, spare propellers, and tools.
• Custom-cut foam, certified for 1-meter drop protection.
• Fully submersible and dust-tight (MIL-STD 810G rated).
• Dimensions: 24.52 x 19.5 x 12.22 inches.
• Weight: 38.30 lb (no batteries), 42.80 lb (with batteries).

5. Battery System (SL8-Air):

• Two batteries required, 21.6 V, 7.3 Ah/157 Wh each, Lithium-ion.

6. Charging System (SL8 Fast Charger):

• Single-battery charging, approx. 90 minutes charge time.

7. Battery Transport Case (SL8 Travel Case):

• Capacity for 8-14 batteries and 2 chargers, waterproof, dust-tight (MIL-STD 810H), lockable.

This document provides the detailed technical specifications and salient characteristics that any proposed UAS solution must meet. Bidders must ensure their offerings align precisely with these requirements, particularly regarding NDAA/Bluelist compliance, payload capabilities, flight performance, and system components.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the purchase of an NDAA/Blue list compliant unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for high throughput plant breeding and physiology research. The USDA Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Department in Lubbock, TX requires this system.

• Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) compliant with NDAA/Blue list.

• Must be compatible with Multispectral Sensor with Gimbal (Smart Dovetail) (Brand Name Sentera 6X or Equal).

• Drone Package (Brand Name Astro Max Mapping Essentials (NDAA/Blue) or Equal).

• Spare Propeller Set (Brand Name Astro Max 2270 High Efficiency or Equal).

• Spare Parts Kit (Brand Name Astro or Equal).

• Travel Case (Brand Name SL8 or Equal).

• Fast Charger (Brand Name SL8 or Equal).

• Air Battery (Brand Name SL8 or Equal).

• Payload (Brand Name LR1 or Equal).

• All items must have clear traceability to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

• Offerors must provide a Certificate of Conformance (COC) in accordance with FAR clause 52.246-15.

• All parts shall be NEW approved parts.

• Attachment 1 contains the detailed specification document.

• Anticipated contract type: Firm Fixed Price.

• The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards for different line items.

• Delivery: 30 Days After Award.

• FOB: Destination.

• Offerors must submit pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Quotes will be evaluated based on Technical Approach, Price, and Past Performance.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Technical Acceptability will be evaluated based on meeting salient characteristics of brand name products or providing "equal" products with sufficient documentation.

• Past Performance will be evaluated as Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

• Offerors must hold prices for 90 calendar days from the offer due date.

• Questions are due by November 15, 2025, via email to Jon.Smith@usda.gov.

• This acquisition is set aside 100.00% for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 336411, Size Standard: 1,500.

• The offer due date is May 5, 2026, at 0800 CT.

• Contact for solicitation information: Shane Pope at 970-851-3735.

• Offers should be sent to shane.pope@usda.gov.