The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded a purchase order to Oakum Group, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, for $80,307.00 on September 28, 2026, to supply Freefly Astro Max (NDAA/Blue) drones and related equipment for the Agriculture Research Service Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory in Tifton, Georgia.
The order is set aside for Total Small Business (1,500-employee threshold) and carries an ultimate completion date of September 27, 2027. Procurement comprises two complete Astro Max drones with Pilot Pro Controllers and Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 tablets, two LR1 high-resolution mapping payloads (61MP Sony cameras), two Astro Compact Travel Cases, two spare propeller sets, two spare parts kits, twelve SL8-Air batteries, eight SL8 fast chargers, and two RTK GPS ground stations providing centimeter-level location accuracy. All items are manufactured by Freefly Systems Inc. as brand-name new commercial products. Delivery is required within 30 days of award. The base period extends one year with potential for a six-month extension. The order originated from USDA FSIS solicitation posted September 11, 2026, with quotations due September 17, 2026. Award was made on a firm-fixed-price basis to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror. NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing); PSC 1550 (Unmanned Aircraft).