C4S_SOO_Group 3_ 31JUL26.docx

Statement of Objectives (SOO) Marketplace: Group 3 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) 30 July 2026

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) defines the high-level objectives for innovative, commercially available Group 3 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to be onboarded to the UAS Marketplace.

The purpose of this document is to outline the Government's overall objectives for the hardware, software, and lifecycle support services required. It is not a prescriptive SOO. To be eligible for consideration under this Commercial Solutions Opening Call for Solutions, offerors must propose solutions that are demonstrably innovative and commercially available. The Government's objective is to then acquire these solutions through the offeror's established commercial practices for delivery, training, and support.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The character and pace of modern warfare are being redefined by the rapid proliferation of UAS. To maintain a technological overmatch, the U.S. Army has established the UAS Marketplace. This strategic initiative marks a pivot from traditional acquisition to a dynamic, free-market concept designed to rapidly identify, assess, and field innovative commercial UAS. This SOO supports that goal by defining the objectives for complete, innovative commercially available solutions that can be procured to fill critical capability gaps.

3.0 SCOPE

This SOO applies to all innovative Group 3 UAS solutions sought under the companion Call for Solutions. Solutions must be capable of performing missions such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA), electronic warfare, communications relay, or strike to enhance the capabilities of Army units at the Brigade, Corps, and Division level.

This SOO encompasses Group 3 UAS, which is defined by the Department of Defense as an aircraft that weighs between 55 pounds and 1,320 pounds (maximum gross takeoff weight), operates at altitudes up to 18,000 feet above mean sea level, and typically flies at speeds less than 250 knots.

4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Government's objective is to rely on the contractor's existing quality assurance system. The contractor shall be responsible for delivering products and services that meet its own established commercial quality standards. The Government reserves the right to review the contractor's quality system and processes to gain confidence in the proposed solution.

5.0 UAS MARKETPLACE ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

The contractor shall provide a single point of contact responsible for managing the UAS Marketplace effort and any Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) orders. The Government is not directing the contractor to provide a stand-alone project manager but rather identify the point of contact. This arrangement should be consistent with the support provided for customary commercial sales. The contractor may be asked to participate in a post-award conference and subsequent periodic program reviews (e.g., quarterly) with Government representatives to discuss schedule, performance, supply chain status, and other relevant topics.

6.0 TECHNOLOGY REFRESHMENT AND END-OF-LIFE MANAGEMENT

The Government’s objective is to maintain a continuous infusion of innovative technology to the UAS Marketplace. The contractor shall have a standard commercial process for introducing technology refreshments, upgrades, and improvements to its product line, providing the Government updates for all system changes that may affect Airworthiness, Safety, and Material or Operational Risk. Additionally, the contractor shall have a process for notifying the Government of any components or systems nearing their end-of-life, along with a proposed transition plan to successor products.

7.0 OBJECTIVES

The overarching objective is for the contractor to provide an innovative and complete Group 3 UAS. The contractor shall propose their standard commercial offerings that best meet the following objectives.

7.1 System Attributes

Vendors must provide information addressing each attribute as part of the Initial Assessment Packet (IAP) and the Verification Activities Questionnaire (VAQ) process. This information populates the system's detailed product profile on the UAS Marketplace storefront, providing the basis for Government end-users to make a competitive selection of the UAS that best meets their needs.

· Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA): Vendors shall articulate their MOSA strategy. This will include detailing how interoperability is achieved for major system components, with a particular focus on payloads and radios. The vendor will specify what data will be provided to the Government above and beyond typical commercial procurement to support integration and future upgrades.

· Government Right to Repair and Right to Modify: The Government’s objective is to secure the rights necessary to support an organic, field-level maintenance, repair, and modification capability. It is anticipated that this procurement will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 12, establishing standard commercial data rights as the baseline. The Government, however, seeks to negotiate for enhanced rights beyond this standard. To that end, the vendor must provide a comprehensive plan that addresses the specific data rights objectives detailed in Section 8.0. This plan must identify the data and Intellectual Property (IP) rights the Government will be granted to repair and modify the system, note any limitations, and propose a strategy to address them. The specific terms for these enhanced rights are negotiable.

· Core Operational Capabilities: The VAQ will require information on the following core capabilities:

· Core Platform Capability: A functional air vehicle, with necessary control/support equipment, capable of controlled, stable flight through all phases of operation (take-off, hover, forward flight, and landing).

· Baseline Payload: The system must be equipped with at least one integrated payload.

· Secure Command and Control: A secure, encrypted command and control (C2) datalink. The use of commercial standard encryption (e.g., AES-256) is considered the minimum acceptable threshold.

· Airworthiness: The vendor must provide existing documentation establishing the system's flight safety (e.g., specific DoW or FAA certifications) or a detailed plan to achieve such qualifications.

· Innovative Features: The VAQ will also be used to gather information on the system's stated advanced features, such as:

· Advanced Autonomy: Navigation in GPS-denied environments, automated target handling, and simplified mission planning.

· Superior Flight Performance: Extended endurance, reduced acoustic signature, and higher dash speeds.

· Modular and Multi-Function Payloads: Ability to rapidly integrate various mission packages.

· All-Weather Operation: Effective performance in adverse environmental conditions.

· Reduced Soldier Burden: Systems that are man-packable, intuitive, and have a minimal logistical footprint.

· Resilience in Contested Environments: Robust anti-jamming and anti-spoofing techniques.

7.2 Required Supporting Deliverables and Services

To meet the objectives outlined above, the offeror shall provide or be capable of providing the following items. Specific quantities, configurations, and delivery schedules will be defined in each individual order.

· Hardware:

· UAS Air Vehicles, Ground Control Stations, and all associated ancillary equipment.

· Data & Documentation:

· Technical Manuals: Standard commercial Operator and Maintainer manuals sufficient for Government personnel to perform field-level maintenance.

· Interface & Integration Data: To support the Government's MOSA strategy, provide Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Form, Fit, and Function (FFF), and Operations, Maintenance, Installation, and Training (OMIT) data for key subcomponents.

· Commercial Price List: A comprehensive price list covering all hardware, spares, training, and support services, valid for a minimum of 12 months.

· Supply & Inventory Data: Regular data feeds for inventory, availability, and lead times for integration into the UAS Marketplace storefront.

· Services:

· Logistics & Sustainment Support: Standard commercial technical "reachback" support (e.g., via phone, email).

· Training: Commercial training materials and, upon request via an order, qualified instructors to conduct training.

8.0 DATA RIGHTS OBJECTIVES

The Government desires, at a minimum, Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for all interfaces (mechanical, electrical, and software) necessary to integrate, operate, and sustain the system with third-party components. Vendors must clearly assert any restrictions on technical data or computer software.

The following sections detail the Government’s specific objectives for the enhanced data rights required beyond a standard commercial license. The plan submitted by the vendor (as required in Section 8.1) must address how they intend to meet these objectives.

8.1 Data Rights for External Interfaces

To support the Government's MOSA strategy, the Government’s objective is to obtain, at a minimum, Government Purpose Rights (GPR) for all data and software related to key external interfaces (e.g., payloads, radios). This is critical to ensure future interoperability and enable competitive hardware and software upgrades.

8.2 Data Rights for Maintenance, Repair, Modification, and Training To enable Government-led training and organic, field-level sustainment, the Government's objective is to obtain the necessary commercial license rights to use, reproduce, and distribute all technical documentation (e.g., operator manuals, maintenance manuals, training materials) within the Government.

9.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The delivery and performance of services (such as training or repairs) will occur at CONUS and OCONUS locations as specified in each individual order placed against the BOA.

10.0 SECURITY OBJECTIVES

The contractor shall adhere to the following security objectives throughout the period of performance.

10.1 Cybersecurity

The contractor shall maintain a robust cybersecurity posture in accordance with the requirements of DFARS 252.204-7019 and NIST SP 800-171, as stipulated in the overarching Call for Solutions. The primary objective is to ensure all Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) related to this effort is protected from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

10.2 Classification

The base effort under this SOO is UNCLASSIFIED. No classified access is required to obtain a BOA. However, individual orders placed against the BOA may require the handling of classified information. If an order requires such access, a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, will be issued with that specific order, and the contractor must possess the appropriate facility and personnel clearances as required by that order.

10.3 Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM)

The contractor shall have and maintain a process for managing supply chain risk for key components (e.g., flight controllers, communications hardware, GPS modules, processing units). The objective of this process is to ensure the integrity of the delivered system and to comply with all applicable National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sourcing prohibitions.

10.4 Operations Security (OPSEC)

The contractor shall implement basic operational security measures to safeguard unclassified but sensitive program-related information. The objective is to prevent the aggregation of information that could provide an advantage to an adversary. This includes, but is not limited to, protecting details regarding specific ordering units, delivery quantities and locations, and deployment timelines from public disclosure.

11.0 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

The Government's inspection and acceptance of all items and services will be destination (CONUS) unless specified differently in each individual order.

image1.jpeg