UNSPSC 25173134: Direction finding equipment

Direction finding (DF) is - in accordance with International Telecommunication Union (ITU) - defined as radio location that uses the reception of radio waves to determine the direction in which a radio station or an object is located. This can refer to radio or other forms of wireless communication, including radar signals detection and monitoring (ELINT/ESM).

UNSPSC 25173134 Direction finding equipment is a Commodity code covering specialized detection and locating systems for emergency response, disaster management, and specialized operations. State and local governments procure this code for two primary use cases: portable handheld radio systems with integrated GPS and emergency signaling for emergency personnel and disaster response, and unmanned aerial systems equipped with aerial ignition or thermal imaging for prescribed burns and airborne search and rescue operations. The issuing bodies reflect the breadth of these applications — county housing authorities, state departments of natural resources, state police agencies, and public universities with aviation operations all solicit under this code for equipment and related support services including installation, maintenance, training, and field operations.

Recent activity spans multiple states and sectors. The Housing Authority of the City of Alameda issued an ITB (2026ITBAHAAS001, due July 10, 2026) for wide-area two-way radio network services, seeking 14 handheld radios with GPS integration, emergency buttons, and waterproofing for use across 16 properties, with a five-year contract ceiling of $50,000 and a requirement for FCC licensure and California contractor licensing. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources posted an eRFQ (46200DNR0000833, due May 15, 2026) to establish an open agency contract for unmanned aerial systems with aerial ignition components and accessories for prescribed burn operations throughout Georgia, anticipating an initial purchase of two systems and at least seven additional units. The State of Oregon, Department of State Police, issued an ITB (S2570000015581, due February 24, 2026) for purchase and installation of a Wescam MX-10 thermal imaging camera system on a Cessna T206H aircraft, requiring FAA Part 145 repair station certification and AS9100 quality certification, with a 10% Oregon supplier preference applied. Procurement activity appears moderate and episodic rather than continuous, with opportunities scattered across emergency communications, state natural resource management, and public safety aviation.