Freefly Astro Max (NDAA/Blue) Drones for ARS

The Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service seeks procurement of Freefly Astro Max (NDAA/Blue) drones and related equipment for the Agriculture Research Service Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory, with quotations due September 17, 2026. This is a Total Small Business set-aside; the small business size standard is 1,500 employees.

Place of performance is Tifton, Georgia. All items must be manufactured by Freefly Systems Inc. and be brand-name, new commercial items. The procurement comprises eight line items: two Astro Max (NDAA/Blue) drones, two Astro Compact Travel Cases, two Astro Max Spare Propeller Sets with 2270 High Efficiency blades, two LR1 Payloads, two Astro Spare Parts Kits, twelve SL8-Air Batteries, eight SL8 Fast Chargers, and two RTK GPS Ground Stations. Each drone system delivers flight times up to 43 minutes (31 minutes with LR1 payload, 20 minutes at maximum 3kg payload), includes Pilot Pro Controllers with Samsung Galaxy Tab Active5 tablets, LR1 high-resolution mapping payloads with 61MP Sony cameras, and comprehensive spare parts kits. The RTK GPS ground station must provide centimeter-level location accuracy and integrate fully with the aircraft's flight controller without requiring third-party hardware.

Delivery is required within 30 days of award. The contract consists of a one-year base period with potential for up to a six-month extension under FAR 52.217-8 option terms. Award will be made on a firm-fixed-price basis to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror with acceptable or neutral past performance. Contractor security requirements mandate compliance with NDAA Section 889, prohibiting covered telecommunications or video-surveillance equipment. The NAICS code is 336411, Aircraft Manufacturing; the PSC code is 1550, Unmanned Aircraft.