Sources Sought - Small Uncrewed Aircraft System
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, is conducting a Sources Sought for a Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS). This is a market research effort to identify potential and eligible business firms capable of providing the specified product and services. The requirement is for an NDAA-compliant sUAS with advanced capabilities and a comprehensive 3-year warranty/training package. Responses are due by April 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM ET.
Scope of Work
NIST seeks information on vendors that can provide a sUAS meeting detailed specifications, including:
- sUAS Airframe & Operator Control Unit: Indoor flight capable, multirotor, < 0.6m width, durable, propeller guards, GPS-denied position-hold, autonomy with real-time object awareness, onboard LED lights, crash recovery, Lidar mapper, forward-facing tracking cameras, ruggedized hard storage case, spare propellers/accessory kit, two batteries, power supply, USB cables, NDAA Compliant, 15-20 minute flight time, 4K video recording, gimbal stabilization, FLIR camera, 2-way audio, glass breaker, and payload dropper.
- Warranty/Training: A 3-year support and warranty plan including an accessory kit, spare parts, tool kit, unlimited repairs/maintenance, one airframe replacement per year, on-demand training, in-person training, and visualization/operation software with 3-year storage.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- Set-Aside: All Small Business Set-aside categories will be considered. Responses are sought from all responsible sources, including large and small businesses (SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB).
- NAICS: 336411 – Aircraft Manufacturing (Small Business Size Standard: 1,500 employees)
- Response Due: April 8, 2026, 6:00 PM ET
- Published: March 31, 2026
- Place of Performance: Boulder, CO 80305
Submission Requirements
Interested organizations should submit electronic capability statements, limited to five (5) pages or less, including:
- Company Profile (employees, locations, UEI, CAGE Code).
- Name of company providing the product.
- Name of manufacturer and country of origin.
- Specification sheets and examples of products meeting requirements.
- Typical lead time for delivery, installation, and training.
- Identification and verification of small business status.
- Any other relevant information for requirement development and market research.
Vendors must possess an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) and an 'Active' UEI on SAM.gov at the time of award.
Additional Notes
This is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and does not commit the Government to award a contract. No solicitation is currently available. The Government will not pay for information received. The results will inform the acquisition method and potential small business set-aside. NIST may conduct a competitive procurement on sam.gov based on this market research.