Agricultural Drone

The Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service seeks one professional-grade agricultural drone system with spray and spread capabilities, with quotations due August 21, 2026 and questions due August 14. The procurement is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing), limiting competition to small business concerns under the 1,500-employee size standard.

Place of performance is Temple, Texas. The drone must be NDAA-compliant and American-made, with a minimum 250-pound lift capacity. The onboard tank must accommodate at least 30 gallons for liquid applications or 45 gallons for solid material (updated by amendment effective August 11). The system must treat up to 150 acres per hour at 2 gallons per acre for liquid and 250 acres per hour for solid applications, with a minimum 50-foot swath width. Required features include a true 360-degree millimeter-wave radar obstacle avoidance system with integrated real-time material monitoring, first-person-view live video feed, lifetime license to ground control software with mission planning and telemetry, comprehensive training materials including simulation-based training, and FAA documentation assistance. Delivery is required 60 days after receipt of order on an F.O.B. Destination basis to 808 East Blackland Road, Temple, Texas 76502. The system must include a minimum one-year manufacturer warranty and be fully assembled upon delivery with six batteries, battery charger, toolkit, and ground link controller. The brand name reference item is the Hylio Atlas Drone (CP-D-300); "or equal" products meeting all salient characteristics are acceptable. Award will be made to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offer with acceptable or neutral past performance. The solicitation is issued as a combined synopsis and RFQ (1232SA26Q1215) under FAR Part 12 commercial items procedures; no separate written solicitation will be issued.