Design and fabrication of drop release system.
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- 140G0326Q0141
- Agency
- Office of Acquisitions and Grants US Geological Survey, Department of the Interior
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541490 Other Specialized Design Services
- Points of contact
-
- Tracy Huot thuot@usgs.gov (916) 278-9330
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued a notice of intent to award a purchase order on a sole-source basis to Drone Amplified, Lincoln, Nebraska, for design and fabrication of a pilot-controlled drop-release system for uncrewed aerial systems, with a capability-statement submission deadline of June 22, 2026. This is a sole-source procurement; Drone Amplified is the only vendor with development authority over the proprietary flight control software integrated into Department of the Interior-approved UAS and possesses the technical capability and software-level access required to design a drop-release device that operates safely within the closed flight-control ecosystem without introducing conflicts into flight logic or compromising flight-critical systems. The contractor must design and fabricate two prototype drop-release mechanisms compatible with Freefly Systems Alta-X Gen 1 and Gen 2 UAVs, capable of releasing a scientific payload and sling assembly via pilot command within 0.5 seconds, with a mass limit of 1.5 kilograms and load capacity of 5 kilograms. The system must employ non-ferromagnetic materials within 4.5 meters of the sensor payload, withstand temperatures from minus 20 to 50 degrees Celsius, achieve IP43 ingress protection, remain resettable for at least 2000 cycles, and prevent inadvertent activation or unintended release upon signal loss. The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. Award will follow FAR Part 12 commercial acquisition procedures. All responsible parties may submit a capability statement by June 22, 2026; no competitive solicitation will be issued. The NAICS code is 541490 (Other Specialized Design Services), with a size standard of $13.5 million annually.
Notice text
This is a notice of intent to solicit from a single source.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to negotiate a purchase order with Drone Amplified, Lincoln, NE for Design and fabrication of a pilot-controlled ejection system capable of releasing a scientific payload from an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in emergency condition as described in the attached Statement of Work.
Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Drone Amplified is, to the USGS knowledge, the only source who can provide this as Drone Amplified is the sole vendor with access to, and development authority over, the proprietary flight control software used on Department of the Interiors approved Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). The emergency drop-release mechanism must integrate seamlessly with hardware and software to ensure that all release commands are interpreted reliably and that no conflicts are introduced into the aircrafts flight control logic. Because the control software governs both piloted and autonomous flight modes, any hardware that interfaces with it becomes part of a flight critical system. No other vendor possesses the technical capability, proprietary interface access, or software level insight needed to design a drop-release device that will operate safely within this closed ecosystem.
The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR Subpart 5.203. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a capability statement by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government.
The NAICS code for this action is 541490 Other Specialized Design Services, with the associated size standard of $13.5 million annually.
Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to tracy_huot@ios.doi.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 06/22/2026 1700 PD. Responses submitted by hardcopy or the SAM.gov portal shall not be accepted or considered.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| SOW_1.pdf |
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