RFI_Weed_Control_UAS_Services.docx

Department of the Interior Request for Information Non-covered UAS Rental Agreement

Purpose: This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to identify fully contractor operated and maintained flight services for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in support of the Department of the Interior (DOI) for aerial weed control treatment applications. The DOI has a current need for aerial herbicide treatment of invasive emergent plant species and bird habitat improvement for approximately 520 acres of wetland, at five different broken, non-contiguous locations within the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. It is anticipated that additional weed control services may be required throughout the Lower 48 States in support of the DOI Bureaus with a potential need for utilization of liquid and/or solid materials.

Operations may include but are not limited to liquid and/or solid material spraying systems.

Requirement: The Government will direct UAS missions while supporting objectives. All flights will follow one of the following authorizations and are the responsibility of the contractor:

· Follow the provisions of 14 CFR Part 107

· UAS operations within restricted, prohibited and warning areas must be authorized by the controlling authority. Operators must comply with any restrictions placed on the operation by the controlling authority.

· Waiver requests under 14 CFR Part 107

· Certificate of Authorization obtained by contractor.

Unit prices are intended to be a daily availability rate. Contractors will be responsible for but not limited to:

· Transportation, system set-up, mission execution, storage, and tear down

· Support vehicles

· Potential flight operations up to 8hr/day

· Maximum of 8hr flight time per pilot

UAS must be compliant with the requirements of Executive Order 13981. Vendors offering UAS must identify all compliant components to ensure the requirements of the Executive Order. The DOI, Office of Aviation Services (OAS), seeks the following information to be provided from vendors:

1. Is the UAS manufactured in whole or in part, by an entity domiciled in an adversary country?

Yes_____ No_____

If Yes please describe what components:

2. Identify the following critical electronic components:

Flight controller

Ground control system/processor

Radios

Digital transmission devices

Cameras

Gimbal

3. Does the UAS use operating software (including cell phone or tablet applications, but not cell phone or tablet operating systems) developed, in whole or in part, by an entity domiciled in an adversary country?

Yes_____ No_____

4. Does the UAS use network connectivity or data storage located outside the United States, or administered by any entity domiciled in an adversary country?

Yes_____ No_____

5. Does the UAS contain hardware and software components used for transmitting photographs, videos, location information, flight paths, or any other data collected by the UAS manufactured by an entity domiciled in an adversary country?

Yes_____ No_____

6. Please provide a detailed list of all potential UAS and payload combinations with daily cost estimates.

7. Please provide any relevant past experience.

8. Please provide location of contractor’s home base.

The term ‘‘adversary country’’ means the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, or, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce, any other foreign nation, foreign area, or foreign non-government entity engaging in long-term patterns or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national or economic security of the United States.

The term “critical electronic component” means any electronic device that stores, manipulates, or transfers digital data. The term critical electronic component does not include, for example, passive electronics such as resistors, and non-data transmitting motors, batteries, and wiring.

The term "manufactured" has the definition provided in FAR 52.225-18, as the "place where an end product is assembled out of components, or otherwise made or processed from raw materials into the finished product that is to be provided to the Government.” If a product is disassembled and reassembled, the place of reassembly is not the place of manufacture.

This announcement is for information research and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of supplies. This is not a request for proposal, request for quote, or invitation for bid, nor does its issuance obligate or restrict the Government to an acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of any responses or pay for the preparation of information submitted or use of such information.

Depending on responses received, the Government may request additional information or demonstration units to be provided at a later date.

In addition to providing information on items one through 10 above, vendors should submit the following:

Company Name Primary Point of Contact Name Phone Number Email Address Business Size (NAICS 532411, Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing)

Questions concerning this request shall be submitted no later than July 24, 2024. Questions will only be accepted via email, addressed to Contracting Officer, Stephanie Boles, stephanie_boles@ibc.doi.gov.

Submissions must be sent to Contracting Officer, Stephanie Boles, stephanie_boles@ibc.doi.gov and by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, July 31, 2024.