RFI_BGAD Innovation Hub.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Industry Participation in the future Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Innovation Hub at Blue Grass Army Depot Notice Type: Request for Information NAICS Code: 541330 Engineering Services Comment by Kuhlmann, Justin M MAJ USARMY HQDA ASA ALT (USA): Provided by KO

1. DISCLAIMER

This is a Request for Information issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Fair Opportunity Proposal Request (FOPR) or a promise to issue an FOPR in the future. This notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with responding to this notice.

2. PURPOSE

The Department of the Army is conducting market research to identify potential partnerships with industry, academia, and other innovators who are interested in participating in the UAS Innovation Hub located at Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD). The UAS Innovation Hub will serve to accelerate the development and fielding of cutting-edge UAS technologies into the hands of Army Soldiers through rapid prototyping, agile software development, and a collaborative ecosystem. This notice seeks to understand industry capabilities and interest to inform Army Materiel Command (AMC) on the execution of the SkyFoundry initiative.

3. CONCEPT OF THE UAS INNOVATION HUB

The UAS Innovation Hub at BGAD will consist of partnerships between industry (small start-ups, non-traditional contractors), academia and other leading research institutions, federal agencies, private capital, and international allies to leverage their expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and advanced manufacturing.

The Innovation Hub will allow for:

1. The conduct of advanced small UAS (sUAS) flight testing in real-world environments to characterize performance, limitations, and concepts of operations (CONOPs)

2. Realistic training environments for all partners and enable New Equipment Training (NET) in support of Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs)

3. Collaboration to develop and implement autonomous navigation algorithms, AI enabled target recognition, and electronic warfare countermeasures into designs

4. A “hardware-in-the-loop” environment to validate software on actual sUAS components

5. Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships (P3)

4. REQUIREMENTS DESCRIPTION

Prospective UAS Innovation Hub partners must possess the following:

5. CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Interested businesses are invited to respond by providing the following:

Part I – Business Information:

Company Name:

Address:

CAGE Code and UEI:

Point of Contact (Name, Email, Phone):

Website:

Business Size and Socioeconomic Status under NAICS {NAICS Code and Description} (Small Business / Woman-Owned / Veteran-Owned / 8(a) / HUBZone / etc)

Part II – Capabilities, Experience, and Interests:

Please include the following items in your response:

1. Description of past or current UAS systems in production (if applicable)

2. List of UAS systems that you support (if applicable)

3. Previous experience in collaborating with industry, academia, and government

4. Previous or ongoing research studies (if applicable)

5. Any MOSA experience

6. Any teaming arrangements or integration partners

7. Any specialization in AI technology (if applicable)

8. Explain what about the future UAS Innovation Hub interests you the most

8. Your ability to prototype and field at scale with short notice

9. Your assessment on why your organization is the most innovative in your respective field

6. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

Blue Grass Army Depot will host a site survey on January 21, 2026. Any party interested in submitting a response to this RFI may attend the site survey to help formulate their response submission. Please RSVP no later than January 16, 2026 to Mr. Thomas Viney at Thomas.m.viney.civ@army.mil and Mr. Russell Wand at Russell.l.wand.civ@army.mil.

Responses must be submitted electronically to ArmySkyFoundry@army.mil no later than January 28, 2026. Responses should not exceed 15 pages, excluding brochures or appendices. Email subject must be in the following format: “RFI Response_UAS Innovation Hub_Your Organization Name”

Attachments Included:

1. BGAD Flyer