High altitude, long duration UAS flight services over wildland fires

NASA's Shared Services Center is seeking high altitude, long duration unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flight services over wildland fires through a sole source procurement under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The agency has determined that American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania is the sole provider capable of delivering these specialized services. The procurement involves modifying and operating an uncrewed AiRanger aircraft to collect imagery and atmospheric data over wildland fires within the continental United States, with performance located at NASA Langley Research Center. The contractor must integrate NASA-provided instrument packages including FLIR infrared cameras and RedEdge multispectral cameras, while complying with NASA airworthiness review processes. Interested organizations may submit capabilities and qualifications in writing by 12 p.m. Central Standard Time on July 24, 2025, which will be evaluated solely to determine whether to conduct the procurement on a competitive basis.

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designations and NASA intends to award the sole source contract to American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. The contract involves operating the aircraft for approximately 96 flight hours over a 14-day period between February and April 2026 as part of NASA's FireSense Project. The contractor will be responsible for providing an aircraft equivalent to the AiRanger with detect and avoid capabilities, performing necessary engineering modifications, and conducting detailed flight operations. All collected documentation and data will become NASA property upon contract completion, with the contract concluding when the aircraft returns to the contractor's facility and all NASA equipment is removed. The procurement falls under NAICS code 488190 for Other Support Activities for Air Transportation and will utilize commercial item acquisition procedures under FAR Parts 12 and 13.