UAS BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT Solicitation Number: 697DCK-25-R-00278 Call 001-2026

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation 697DCK-25-R-00278, WHITEPAPER CALL 001-2026.

• White Paper Deadline: Extended to January 9, 2026.

• Funding Allocation: The $12 million anticipated for the BAA will be divided equally among designated UAS test sites. The FAA's maximum cost share per test site is $1,714,285 (for 7 sites), $1,500,000 (for 8 sites), or $1,333,333 (for 9 sites). Offerors are recommended to submit White Papers with letters of attestation from current FAA UAS Test Sites that do not exceed $1,333,333.

• Cost Share: The FAA will provide a 1:1 match for eligible respondent costs, up to the allocated amount per test site. The FAA share will not exceed 50% of the total project cost. Cost share can include contributions from multiple partners, including R&D, hardware, services, and state-funded assistance.

• Focus Areas: Offerors are responsible for selecting the primary focus area for their White Paper, though other areas can be mentioned. The BVLOS Operations focus area is broader, while the DAA focus area is more specific to DAA technologies.

• Industry Partners: While not a requirement, the FAA encourages industry partners. The primary partnership requirement is with an FAA-designated UAS Test Site.

• Project Budget: There is no desired budget range per project, but the total FAA funding is $12 million, divided among test sites. A project with a total cost of $2 million could be funded with $1 million from the FAA and $1 million in matching funds.

• Foreign Entities: White Papers will be accepted from foreign entities unless they are on the Specially Designated Nationals List.

• UTM Operations: UTM is intended as a cooperative ecosystem. The FAA does not plan for Air Traffic Control (ATC) to control small UAS operating at low altitudes in controlled airspace; this responsibility lies with the UAS operators.

• The White Paper submission deadline has been extended to January 9, 2026.

• Clarifications on funding allocation and cost-sharing requirements may impact proposal budgeting and partnership strategies.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a "Whitepaper Call" (Call 001-2026) issued under the UAS Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Solicitation #697DCK-25-R-00278. It seeks whitepapers for the demonstration and validation of systems and technologies to enable the safe integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS).

• Respondents must submit a Whitepaper associated with one of the Focus Areas listed in the main solicitation.

• A Letter of Attestation (LOA) from a partnering FAA UAS Test Site is required.

• Respondents must provide a project Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM).

• Whitepapers must not exceed 10 pages (excluding Cover Page, LOA, and ROM).

• Technology must be operationally ready and relevant to the safe integration of UAS in the NAS.

• Awards will be cost-sharing contracts, with the FAA paying no more than 50% of the total cost.

• Minimum 1:1 (one-to-one) cost-share requirement.

• Anticipated award date: On or before September 30, 2026.

• Anticipated funding: $12,000,000, subject to change and availability.

• The FAA anticipates awarding at least 7 contract awards, one associated with each FAA UAS Test Site.

• Questions Due Date: October 17, 2025, 3:00 pm EST (submit via email to Scott.E.Raber@faa.gov).

• Whitepaper Due Date: November 14, 2025, 3:00 pm EST (submit via email to Scott.E.Raber@faa.gov).

• Whitepapers will be evaluated for applicability to FAA's mission, operational readiness of the technology, importance to agency programs, and funding availability.

• Selected Whitepapers may advance to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.

• Not specified in this document; refer to the main solicitation #697DCK-25-R-00278.

• This is a "two-step" process governed by the UAS BAA #697DCK-25-R-00278.

• All submissions must adhere to the file naming convention specified in the document.

• Submissions without all required documentation may be considered non-responsive.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), Solicitation # 697DCK-25-R-00278, sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office (AUS), seeks Whitepapers from the UAS industry. The BAA focuses on areas related to the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the national airspace system (NAS). The BAA is open through September 30, 2028, unless terminated sooner.

• The primary focus is on experimentation to advance the state-of-the-art or increase knowledge/understanding of technologies essential for safe UAS integration.

• Whitepapers should demonstrate operational readiness, importance to agency programs, and funding availability.

• Deliverables for selected projects may include:

  • Project Kickoff Briefing
  • Integrated Master Schedule
  • Data Analysis Plan
  • Safety Risk Assessment
  • Flight Test Plan and Test Cards
  • Post Flight Test Reports
  • Monthly Progress Reports
  • Quarterly Program Management Review Briefings
  • Draft Final Report
  • Non-Proprietary Final Report
  • Final Project Briefing
  • Standards Designated Organization Briefings

• The FAA may award contracts at any time during the BAA's term.

• Awards will be cost-sharing contracts, with the FAA paying no more than 50% of the total work cost.

• Funding is subject to availability and will be divided evenly among designated UAS Test Sites.

• The FAA anticipates awarding at least 7 contract awards, one associated with each FAA UAS Test Site.

• This is a two-step process: Whitepaper submission followed by a potential Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Whitepapers can be submitted at any time, even without an active "Call for Whitepapers."

• Whitepapers must not exceed 10 pages and should focus on quality over quantity.

• Key components of a Whitepaper include:

  • Cover Page
  • Respondent Information (Legal Name, Citizenship, Cage Code, SAM UEI)
  • Focus Area and Title
  • Project Title and Estimated Cost (ROM)
  • Technical Point of Contact
  • Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost Estimate with Cost Match Breakdown
  • Letter of Attestation (LOA) from a partnering UAS Test Site.

• Whitepapers will be evaluated based on applicability to FAA's mission, strategic goals, operational readiness, importance to agency programs, and funding availability.

• Selected Whitepapers will receive an RFP with specific submission requirements.

• Not specified as a set-aside.

• Respondents must partner with one of the seven designated FAA UAS Test Sites.

• Amendments to the BAA will be published on SAM.gov.

• Respondents are encouraged to contact the Contracting Officer for information on interest levels and funding availability, especially when submitting without an active Call.

• All flight testing must occur in partnership with and under the authorization of an FAA UAS Test Site.

• The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 authorizes appropriations for UAS test ranges and related activities.