E53_BSR_JA_Freefly_1_27_2026_CA_Redacted_1.pdf

United States Department of the Interior

INTERIOR BUSINESS CENTER

Washington, DC 20240

CLASS SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS

AUTHORITY: FAR 13.501(a), 41 U.S.C. 1901

Request for Quote Number: 140D0426Q0044

1. Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a �Sole Source Justification.�

This document is a class sole source justification for the Department of the Interior, Interior Business Center, Acquisition Services Directorate, Division II, Branch III, in support of the Department of Interior (DOI) Office of Aviation Services (OAS), Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Fleet.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

This is a follow-on requirement to establish a sole source Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to Freefly Systems Inc. for the Freefly Alta X UAS, Astro Max UAS, any future Freefly UAS due to constantly emerging technology, to include prototypes, as well as other payloads and other accessories (payloads, batteries, chargers, future Ground Control Stations, tablets, etc.) needed for DOI operations. This is a class sole source justification applicable to future BPA calls.

3. A description of supplies or services required to meet the agency�s needs (including the estimated value).

The supplies to be furnished are Freefly Alta X UAS, Astro Max UAS, any future Freefly UAS and prototypes, as well as other payloads and other accessories (payloads, batteries, chargers, Ground Control Stations, tablets, controllers, etc.) as required by the DOI OAS.

The Government reserves the right to bilaterally modify the agreement at a later date to include other items that DOI commonly uses, any future versions of the Freefly UASs, and other equipment needed for DOI operations (payloads, radios, batteries, chargers, future Ground Control Stations, tablets, controllers, etc.).

BPA ceiling is $ This class sole source justification covers all BPA calls (not to exceed the Simplified Acquisition Threshold in accordance with FAR 13.303-5(b)) awarded against the BPA. The BPA has a five-year ordering period with review of the pricing schedule on an annual basis. Delivery of items ordered through the issuance of a BPA call will be established 90 days from date the call is issued.

4. An identification of the statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition.

This is an acquisition conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13.5, Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Products and Commercial

Services. The statutory authority permitting sole source acquisition is 41 U.S.C. 1901 as implemented by FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii).

5. A demonstration that the proposed contractor�s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited.

The required supplies comply with FAR 52.240-1, Prohibition on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Manufactured or Assembled by American Security Drone Act-Covered Foreign Entities and Executive Orders 13981,13765, 13771, and 13783 and OMB Circular A-126 that focus on wildland fire management to modernize DOI response assets to meet statutory mandates and enhance emergency management capabilities. No other UAS will meet the Government�s operational requirements as Freefly Systems incorporates a unique combination of mission-specified payloads, accessories, proprietary software, firmware, and tightly coupled system integration that cannot be replicated by other platforms. These integrated capabilities enable the UAS to support complex operational needs such as wildland fire surveillance, wildland fire aerial ignition, search and rescue, and disaster response with a single unified system.

The potential harm and impact to the Government if this UAS is not utilized may result in increased operational costs as other operational alternatives require high-risk manned platforms. Due to safety concerns, there is a heightened possibility of accidents which poses a safety risk to flight crews and ground personnel.

Freefly Systems Inc. UAS complies with FAR 52.240-1, which prohibits the procurement of �covered� UAS.

Freefly Systems Inc. has developed a unique UAS capable of assisting the DOI with safeguarding the public and managing emergencies across a vast array of natural and cultural resources. With evolving threats�ranging from wildland fires and natural disasters to other all-risk events � there is a critical need for rapid, accurate situational awareness and agile response capabilities. The advanced UAS technology is mission critical as it enhances the DOI�s ability to manage emergencies and protect public safety by providing real-time data and operational flexibility that are essential to meeting these challenges. The Freefly UAS software provides capabilities that enables more efficient and extended Unmanned Aerial Vehicle operations for public safety, with a specific focus on aerial ignition for wildland fire management. These technologies reduce risk to traditional manned aviation mission by supplementing UAS operations.

Freefly Systems Inc. Alta X UAS, Astro Max UAS, as well as other payloads and other accessories (payloads, batteries, chargers, Ground Control Stations, tablets, controllers, etc.)

have been identified to meet the required needs of the DOI and its Bureaus. Prior to procurement of any future Freefly UAS and prototypes, the DOI will evaluate and make a determination that the item(s) meet their requirement(s).

6. A description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by FAR Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under FAR 5.202 applies.

A notice of intent to award a sole source BPA was publicized via the Government Point of Entry, SAM.gov on January 7, 2026, with a closing date of January 22, 2026, utilizing the procedures described in FAR 5.203. One response was received from Camrise LLC on January 8, 2026.

7. A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated price(s) will be fair and reasonable based on comparison of the proposed prices with Freefly Systems Inc. published catalog prices and the current BPA 140D0423A0045 price list consists of the Alta X UAS, Astro Max UAS, and other accessories (payloads, batteries, chargers, Ground Control Stations, tablets, controllers, etc.) that has been determined fair and reasonable.

8. A description of the market research conducted (see Part 10) and the results or a statement of the reason market research was not conducted.

This is a follow-on requirement for a Freefly Alta X UAS, Astro Max UAS, payloads, and accessories that have been historically procured.

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 8, a search was conducted through mandatory sources AbilityOne and Federal Prison Industries at UNICOR websites that returned no results. Additionally, excess personal property will not meet this requirement.

A search of the General Services Administration�s (GSA) Multiple Award Schedules through GSA Advantage for �Freefly� did not return any results for the required products.

A Bing search for �Freefly UAS� reveals several vendors, as well as Freefly Systems.

Freefly Systems is shown to be the Original Equipment Manufacturer and their website has a list of distributors for the Alta X UAS, Astro Max UAS, payloads, and other accessories. Published pricing from Freefly is in line with pricing under BPA 140D0423A0045 that is set to expire on February 23, 2026. Freefly Systems Inc.

confirmed that their distributors are not authorized to sell customized Alta X, Astro Max, payloads and accessories.

A search of SAM.gov for �Alta X� and �Astro Max� indicates there are several vendors, to include Freefly Systems.

A search of CPARS for Freefly Systems, UEI , resulted in seven performance assessments with an overall �Satisfactory� rating for each assessment.

Freefly Systems, UEI: , has an active SAM.gov registration which expires on December 18, 2026. There are no active exclusions, and they are certified as a small business.

Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition, such as:

None.

A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required.

The Government will continue to evaluate the market to see if

Contracting officer certification that the justification is accurate and complete to the best of the contracting officer�s knowledge and belief.

I certify that this justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

, Contracting Officer

13. Requirements personnel certification.

I certify that the technical data which forms a basis for this justification is complete and accurate and meets the Government�s minimum needs.

, OAS UAS Fleet Manager

14. Reviews and Approvals

Concur

, Branch Chief

, Division Chief

Approve

Competition Advocate