FA8629-26-S-C001(Call-001)_Air Force - Small UAS & Asymmetric Capabilities - Commercial Solutions Opening

The Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is conducting a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) for small unmanned aircraft systems and asymmetric capabilities, with Phase 1 Solution Briefs due October 15, 2026.

Call 001 seeks commercial or non-developmental small UAS baseline platforms at Technology Readiness Level 6 with demonstrated flight heritage to serve as long-range, air-launched autonomous vehicles capable of carrying communications relay payloads for UAS swarm coordination in contested environments. The baseline platform must weigh 330 pounds or less at maximum gross takeoff weight, achieve a one-way range of 1000 kilometers or 6-hour endurance, provide minimum 35 pounds payload capacity with 1000 watts of power, and be capable of air-launch within approximately four months of Phase 4 award. The system must operate in temperature ranges of minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, support MOSA and open systems architecture principles, and integrate with Government-furnished autonomy frameworks (FANTOM), command and control systems (Vigilant Spirit, Arbitrator), and beyond-line-of-sight communications via PLEO satellites. The Government targets an average procurement unit cost of $250,000 per baseline platform at mature production quantities.

Phase 1 Solution Briefs are due October 15, 2026, submitted to usafoffensivesmalluas@groups.af.mil. Phase 2 Pitch Sessions are scheduled November 2–6, 2026. Subsequent phases include Phase 3 requests for prototype proposals, Phase 4 air-launch demonstration, and Phase 5 follow-on non-competitive production contracts under 10 U.S.C. 4022. Awards will be issued as FAR-based fixed-price contracts or Other Transaction agreements. The Government reserves the right to make multiple awards, single awards, or no awards at any phase and disclaims reimbursement for proposal preparation costs. All solutions must comply with National Defense Authorization Act prohibitions on certain foreign-made UAS and cybersecurity compliance with DoD Instruction 8510.01. Facility and personnel clearances for SECRET-level access are required in Phase 3 and beyond.