NOTICE OF INTENT Merlin Bird Radar with drone detection

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Sole Source Justification for a new firm-fixed priced contract with DeTect, Inc. for the Merlin Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar system. It serves to justify the use of a sole source procurement rather than full and open competition.

• Contracting Activity: Department of the Air Force, 502d CONS/PKC, JBSA-Randolph TX.
• Program/Project: MERLIN JNAT Bird and Drone Detection Radar System.
• Authority: DAFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572 (Simplified Acquisition Procedures).
• Justification: The Merlin Bird Radar is a proprietary product of DeTect Inc., who is the sole developer, patent holder, and commercializer. DeTect Inc. is the only company authorized to perform maintenance and provide tech refreshes (e.g., to DroneWatcher). Market research indicates DeTect is the only entity that services this equipment, and utilizing another vendor would void the warranty.
• Efforts to Ensure Competition: Market research was conducted, and all identified service, training, or repair contracts for the Merlin Bird Radar (32 contracts from 2003-present) were awarded to DeTect.
• Fair and Reasonable Cost: The contractor's quote for service and maintenance is considered fair and reasonable, being at a lower or equivalent price for both the Merlin Bird/Drone Detection System and the Drone Detection Radar system.

This document explains why the government is pursuing a sole source contract with DeTect, Inc. for the Merlin Bird Radar system. It highlights the proprietary nature of the equipment and the lack of alternative service providers, which may be relevant for potential future opportunities or understanding the competitive landscape for this specific technology.

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

To provide service and maintenance for the MERLIN™ Aircraft Birdstrike Avoidance Radar with drone detection system installed at JBSA Randolph, TX.

• Provide 24-7 telephone and internet technical support.

• Provide remote system monitoring.

• Perform system preventive maintenance (excluding routine maintenance to be performed by the Government).

• Provide specialized radar operating system software upgrades and maintenance.

• Repair or replace any covered failed parts or components within the Agreement Period.

• The agreement covers the MERLIN Radar System, 2D slotted array radar, four GroundAware 3D Radars, two EOIR Cameras, and one DroneWatcher RF detection system, including any DeTect-supplied upgrades.

• Includes radar operating software and any upgrades/add-on functionality.

• Provides commercial Internet service for remote access and monitoring.

• Primary place of performance: JBSA Randolph, TX.

• Period of performance: March 11, 2026, through March 10, 2027, with three (3) consecutive option years.

• Contractor personnel must wear company picture identification badges.

• Contractor personnel must identify themselves as such when conversing with Government personnel.

• Contractor personnel must meet established unescorted installation entry requirements.

• Contracted personnel shall be a U.S. citizen and certified to work on the MERLIN™ systems.

• Adherence to Operations Security (OPSEC) guidance is required.

• Introduction of personal electronic devices into government spaces is strictly controlled.

• Photography and recording are not allowed except for official use and by permit only.

• Contractor shall not post sensitive government operations information to public media.

• Government-issued badges must be removed/concealed when off station.

• Routine maintenance to be performed by the Government (e.g., checking radar spin, UPS status, cabin temperature, strobe lights, inspecting housing, lubricating tower screw jack, checking for water leaks, door alignment).

• Wear parts and parts that have become obsolete.

• US Government supplied or installed components or ancillary systems.

• Parts damaged by the US Government or deteriorated/failed due to improper O&M.

• System wear parts including generator units.

Other / Unclassified

This document is a "Sole Source/Notice of Intent" from the 502d Contracting Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, TX. It announces the government's intent to solicit and award a sole source, firm-fixed-price contract to DeTect Inc. for services and maintenance of the MERLIN JNAT Bird and Drone Detection Radar System.

This notice is not a request for quote or proposal. However, interested parties who believe they can fulfill the requirement are invited to submit a narrative describing their capabilities and qualifications via email to ying.yang@us.af.mil with a copy to lorenzo.martinez.8@us.af.mil no later than February 13, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time. The submitted information will be used to determine if the requirement should be opened for competitive procurement. Costs incurred in submitting a capabilities statement will not be reimbursed. The document also references Attachment 1 (Performance Work Statement) and Attachment 2 (Redacted Sole Source Justification) for additional details.