Aircraft Hardware Prototype for ground testing

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA/NSSC) has issued a Special Notice for a sole source contract pertaining to an Aircraft Hardware Prototype for ground testing. The notice specifically targets the procurement of a BD-6 kit and associated CAD model for NASA's Open eVTOL Subproject Research Aircraft for eVTOL Enabling techNologies (RAVEN) activity. This procurement is intended to support the development of a 1000lb-class Category 3 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that will serve as a reference eVTOL platform for research in flight dynamics, controls, and acoustics. The contract will be awarded to BEDE AERO LLC in Medina, Ohio, under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), with work to be performed at NASA Langley Research Center. The procurement falls under NAICS code 541715 for research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences.

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to acquire commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components to support NASA's research initiatives, specifically to formulate system requirements for an upcoming Systems Requirement Review, improve analysis models, provide hands-on experience for NASA technicians, and enable future component ground testing. Contractors interested in responding must submit their capabilities and qualifications in writing to Shanna Patterson by 7:00 AM CST on January 22, 2025, though these submissions will only be used to determine potential competitive procurement. The notice emphasizes that this is a sole source requirement, and the procurement will utilize commercial item procedures under FAR Parts 12 and 13. Oral communications are not accepted in response to this notice. The deliverables include one complete BD-6 kit and one complete BD-6 CAD Model to be delivered electronically, with the critical understanding that none of the hardware is intended for use in actual flight articles. The contract represents a focused, limited-scope procurement to support NASA's advanced aerial systems research.