OC/EU Fixed-Wing UAS Emergency Fire Flight Services

The Department of the Interior's Departmental Offices Interior Business Center is seeking fixed-wing Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for emergency fire flight services through a comprehensive procurement process. The solicitation focuses on fully contractor-operated and maintained UAS with specific technical requirements for emergency response operations. Targeted UAS must be fixed-wing aircraft weighing 300 pounds or less, capable of operating at density altitudes up to 15,000 feet, with flight durations extending to 14 hours at maximum payload. Performance specifications include operational temperatures ranging from 0-115 degrees Fahrenheit and advanced technological capabilities such as secure digital data links with FIPS compliant encryption and sophisticated loss of link protocols. The procurement is structured under solicitation number 140D0425R0063, with responses due by June 6, 2025, and companies will be evaluated based on their ability to meet complex operational and technical requirements for emergency fire flight services.

The pre-solicitation notice indicates no specific set-aside designations, suggesting the opportunity is open to a broad range of qualified contractors in the geophysical surveying and mapping services sector. While specific award values are not disclosed, the five-year contract duration suggests a potentially significant investment in UAS technology and emergency response capabilities. The procurement falls under NAICS category 541360 (Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services) and PSC category 1550 (Unmanned Aircraft), which provides additional context for potential bidders. The technical specifications demand advanced UAS with flexible flight planning features, including geo-fencing and programmable flight profiles, indicating a sophisticated technological requirement. Contractors will need to demonstrate robust capabilities in unmanned aircraft operations, with a specific focus on emergency fire flight services that can perform effectively in challenging environmental conditions.