Outdoor Small Uncrewed Aircraft System

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the requirements for an outdoor-flight capable small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) for the Public Safety Research Division (PSCR) at NIST. The sUAS will be used for flight testing, comparison of drone simulators, and development of standard test methods for link loss research, as well as for laboratory demonstrations and scientific research for first responders.

Item 1: Small Uncrewed Aircraft System Airframe & Operator Control Unit (1 EACH)

• Modular sub-55-pound multirotor sUAS
• NDAA and/or TAA Compliant
• Durable construction, capable of minimal repair after crashes
• 2.4/5 GHz, 5G/LTE ready (Operator Control Unit and Aircraft)
• Aircraft: IP55 (dust & water resistant)
• Operator Control Unit: IP54
• Operator Control Unit with integrated touch screen and stick controls
• Sub-60 second startup time
• Minimum flight time of 40 minutes
• Capable of GPS-denied position-hold
• Autonomy with true 360-degree obstacle avoidance
• Onboard vision system with lights
• 4K minimum video resolution
• Infrared and telephoto navigation cameras
• Gimbal stabilization with light modes (~1000 lumens)
• Two 256 GB micro-SD cards
• Three batteries and one dual charger
• Ruggedized storage case for sUAS, controller, and batteries
• One set of spare propellers
• Windspeed handling (gust) of no less than 11.17 m/s (25 mph)

Item 2: Attachments (1 LOT)

• RTK/PPK GPS

• Payload Dropper

• Parachute

• Spotlight

• Speaker

• Delivery shall be completed no later than August 19, 2026.

• Base manufacturer warranty of 1-Year is acceptable.

• Vendors must possess an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) at the time of award.

• Vendors must possess a Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI) registered as "Active" on SAM.gov at the time of award.

• US citizen required on-site for visits; foreign nationals require pre-registration 30 days prior.

• Vendor representative on-site for more than three (3) days.

• NDAA and/or TAA Compliant

• NIST Boulder and Gaithersburg addresses are provided for shipping.

• Partial delivery is acceptable.

• Direct delivery to OU Building is required.

• Autonomy Drone Software License is required.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a combined synopsis/solicitation (Request for Quotation - RFQ) for commercial products/services, specifically an "Outdoor Small Uncrewed Aircraft System" (NB671000-26-01304). This announcement serves as the sole solicitation, and no separate written solicitation will be issued. The acquisition is being conducted on an unrestricted basis.

• CLIN 0001: Outdoor Small Uncrewed Aircraft System Airframe and Operator Control Unit.

• CLIN 0002: Attachments including RTK/PPK GPS, Payload Dropper, Parachute, Spotlight, and Speaker.

• Detailed requirements are specified in Attachment #1: Specifications.

• Delivery dates and FOB points are also detailed in the Specifications document.

• The contract will be a single firm-fixed-price purchase order.

• The procurement is being conducted under FAR Part 12 (Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services) with deviations.

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 336411 – Aircraft Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees.

• Quotation Due Date: Electronic quotations must be received by 12:00 PM Mountain Time, 5/21/2026, submitted via email to clifford.nicholson@nist.gov.

• Inquiries Due Date: Questions must be submitted in writing to clifford.nicholson@nist.gov no later than 5:00 PM MT 5/28/2026. Responses will be provided in an amendment.

• Quotation Preparation: Quotations must be divided into three volumes: Technical Quotation, Price Quotation, and Terms and Conditions.

• Evaluation Factors: Award will be made to the responsible quoter whose quotation is the lowest priced, technically acceptable quote. Evaluation will consider Technical Capability and Price. No prototypes or used/refurbished instruments will be considered.

• This acquisition is being solicited on an unrestricted basis.

• Quoters must possess an ACTIVE registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of quotation submission and through award.

• Attachment #2 contains Applicable Provisions and Clauses.

• The government reserves the right to make an award without discussions based solely upon initial quotes.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document lists the "Applicable Provisions and Clauses" for the "Outdoor Small Uncrewed Aircraft System" opportunity. It details which Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR) provisions and clauses are incorporated by reference, and which are provided in full text.

• Provisions Incorporated by Reference: Lists specific FAR provisions (e.g., FAR 52.252-1, FAR 52.252-5, FAR 52.203-18, FAR 52.204-7, FAR 52.209-2, FAR 52.209-11, FAR 52.212-1) and their status (e.g., DEVIATION, JAN 2026).
• Clauses Incorporated by Reference: Lists specific FAR clauses (e.g., FAR 52.252-2, FAR 52.252-6, FAR 52.203-17, FAR 52.204-13, FAR 52.209-10, FAR 52.212-4, FAR 52.219-28, FAR 52.222-3, FAR 52.222-19, FAR 52.222-36, FAR 52.222-50, FAR 52.222-90, FAR 52.223-23, FAR 52.225-1, FAR 52.226-7, FAR 52.226-8, FAR 52.232-33, FAR 52.232-39, FAR 52.232-40, FAR 52.233-3, FAR 52.233-4, FAR 52.240-91, FAR 52.247-64) and their status (e.g., DEVIATION, JAN 2026, NOV 2015, FEB 2016, JUN 2003, MAY 2024, OCT 2018, JUN 2013, MAR 2023, OCT 2004).
• Local Provisions and Clauses: Includes NIST-specific instructions and clauses such as "Agency Protests," "GAO and Court of Federal Claims Protests," "Place of Acceptance," "Marking/Packing Instructions," "Contract Performance During Changes in NIST Operating Status," "Electronic Billing Instructions," and "Invoicing Processing Platform-Alternate I."
• FAR 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate: This provision requires offerors to certify that end products are domestic and list any foreign end products. It also requires identification of line-item numbers of domestic end products containing a critical component.

This document is critical for bidders as it outlines the legal and regulatory framework governing the contract. It specifies the terms and conditions that will apply, including requirements related to the Buy American Act, protest procedures, invoicing, and acceptance. Bidders must review these provisions and clauses to understand their obligations and ensure their proposals comply with all applicable requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the requirements for an outdoor-flight capable small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) for the Public Safety Research Division (PSCR) at NIST. The sUAS is needed for flight testing, comparison of drone simulators, and development of standard test methods for link loss research, supporting scientific research for first responders.

Item 1: Small Uncrewed Aircraft System Airframe & Operator Control Unit (1 EACH)

• Modular sub-55-pound multirotor sUAS capable of outdoor flight.
• NDAA and/or TAA Compliant.
• Durable construction, capable of minimal repair.
• 2.4/5 GHz, 5G/LTE ready (Operator Control Unit and Aircraft).
• IP55 (dust & water resistant) - Aircraft; IP54 - Operator Control Unit.
• Operator Control Unit with integrated touch screen and stick controls.
• Sub-60 second startup time.
• Minimum flight time of 40 minutes.
• Operational in GPS-denied position-hold.
• Autonomy including true 360-degree obstacle avoidance coverage.
• Onboard vision system with lights.
• 4K minimum video resolution.
• Infrared and telephoto navigation cameras.
• Gimbal stabilization with light modes (~1000 lumens).
• Two 256 GB micro-SD cards.
• Three batteries and one dual charger.
• Ruggedized storage case, custom fit for the sUAS, controller, and batteries.
• One set of spare propellers.
• Windspeed handling (gust) of no less than 11.17 m/s (25 mph).

Item 2: Attachments (1 SET)

• RTK/PPK GPS

• Payload Dropper

• Parachute

• Spotlight

• Speaker

• Delivery shall be completed no later than August 19, 2026.

• Base manufacturer warranty of 1-Year, with options for 2 additional 1-year periods, totaling 3 years.

• Vendors must possess an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) at time of award.

• Vendors must possess a Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI) with active registration on SAM.gov at time of award.

• US citizen required on-site for visits; foreign nationals require pre-registration 30 days prior.

• NDAA and/or TAA Compliant.

• Autonomy Drone Software License required.

• Inspection and Acceptance expected to not exceed 7 business days.

• Training requirements include operation, safety, maintenance, and troubleshooting.