Stratospheric Balloons -Micro and Short-Duration High-Altitude Platforms-
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 Department of the Army's 921st Contracting Support Battalion is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice to identify qualified sources for High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) systems, modular payloads, lift-gas equipment, and operational software. This initiative aims to support requirements for micro and short-duration high-altitude platforms. Responses are due by June 5, 2026.
Scope of Work
This market research seeks to identify vendors capable of providing Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or modified-COTS items. Key requirements include:
- High-Altitude Balloons: Various configurations (12, 16, 24-Gore Microballoons) with specific material, burst altitude, lift capacity, and seam quality requirements.
- Payload Buses: Featuring Starlink and/or MPU5, with detailed specifications for communication redundancy, power systems, thermal regulation, and payload bay.
- Fill Equipment: Including HAZMAT shipping containers, Helium/Hydrogen Fill Kits and Gangers, and Lift Gas Tanks, all requiring strict adherence to UN, DOT, NFPA, and ISO safety standards.
- Ancillary Equipment: Such as booster pumps.
- Payloads: Covering ISR Payloads, Long Wave Infrared Payloads (with resolution, spectral band, stabilization, and data interface specifications), and Electronic Sensing Payloads (detailing sensor type, frequency coverage, and data logging).
- Software: For trajectory modeling, Command and Control (C2) telemetry, and sensor data exploitation.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought Notice (Market Research)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: June 5, 2026, by 10:00 AM Z
- Published: May 27, 2026
- Place of Performance/Delivery: Supplies and software licenses will be delivered within the INDOPACOM AOR, specifically Hawaii.
Submission & Evaluation
Interested parties should submit a capabilities statement, not exceeding 5 pages (Times New Roman 10 pitch), addressing:
- Manufacturing and Integration Capability (COTS, modified-COTS, custom fabrication).
- Software Offerings.
- Safety and Compliance, particularly for hazardous materials equipment.
- Company Profile (status, employees, locations, UEI, business size). Responses must be emailed to Stephen Cochran (stephen.l.cochran4.mil@army.mil), with a copy to Michael Walnoha (michael.s.walnoha2.mil@army.mil). This notice is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The government intends to use responses to determine potential competitive procurement strategies, possibly through full and open competition.
Additional Notes
Vendors must demonstrate the capability to manufacture, assemble, or source the required hardware and software, ensuring strict adherence to safety standards for hazardous materials equipment. No funds are available to pay for response preparation.