SOURCES SOUGHT: Outdoor Small Uncrewed Aircraft System
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
A newer solicitation was posted. See the latest solicitation from .
- Solicitation number
- NB671000-26-01304
- Agency
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 336411 Aircraft Manufacturing
- PSC
- 1550 Unmanned Aircraft
- Place of performance
- United States
- Points of contact
-
- Clifford Nicholson clifford.nicholson@nist.gov (303) 497-5185
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), through its Communications Technology Laboratory, is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of supplying one Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) airframe with operator control unit and attachments. This pre-solicitation notice is not a request for quotation but rather a sources sought announcement designed to determine potential eligible businesses before finalizing the acquisition method. Key requirements include a modular, sub-55-pound multirotor system with NDAA/TAA compliance, dual-band connectivity (2.4/5 GHz with 5G/LTE readiness), IP55 rating for the aircraft, minimum 40-minute flight time, true 360-degree obstacle avoidance, 4K video resolution with infrared and telephoto cameras, and capability to handle 11.17 m/s wind gusts. The system must also feature GPS-denied position-hold capability, sub-60 second startup time, and gimbal stabilization with integrated lighting. NIST will evaluate responses to determine if at least two qualified small businesses can fulfill the requirements; if so, the procurement will be designated as a small business set-aside. The response deadline for this sources sought announcement is May 5, 2026, with delivery required to NIST-Boulder by August 19, 2026.
No set-aside designation has been predetermined for this opportunity, as NIST is actively seeking responses from all responsible sources including large businesses and various small business categories (SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and VOSB). The procurement is categorized under NAICS 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees and PSC 1550 (Unmanned Aircraft). The solicitation includes one aircraft system with attachments comprising RTK/PPK GPS, payload dropper, parachute, spotlight, speaker, and autonomy drone software licensing, along with comprehensive support including three batteries, dual charger, ruggedized storage case, spare propellers, two 256 GB micro-SD cards, and warranty coverage consisting of one year of manufacturer-provided base coverage plus two optional one-year renewal periods. Vendors must possess an active Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) and Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI) registered on SAM.gov at the time of award, with acceptance of delivered goods expected within seven business days.
Notice text
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Acquisition Management Division
Sources Sought for Commercial Product Purchase
THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION.
It is a market research tool being used to determine potential and eligible business firms that can provide the product described herein prior to determining the method of acquisition.
The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) seeks information on vendors that can provide one Small Uncrewed Aircraft System Airframe & Operator Control Unit with attachments per the Specifications attached herein.
This announcement is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and does not commit the Government to award a contract now or in the future. No solicitation is currently available. Additionally, The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources because of this Sources Sought announcement. The results of this Sources Sought will be utilized to determine if any Small Business Set-aside opportunities exist. All Small Business Set-aside categories will be considered. In addition, this market research tool is being used to identify potential and eligible firms, of all sizes, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation.
Based on this Sources Sought announcement, NIST may conduct a competitive procurement on the System for Award Management (sam.gov) website and subsequently award a contract. If at least two qualified small businesses are identified during this market research stage that can fulfil the requirement, in accordance with the Specifications, then this acquisition shall be solicited as a small business set aside. However, NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large and small businesses (SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB). This requirement is assigned NAICS 336411 – Aircraft Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees.
Interested business organizations that believe they can meet the requirement should submit electronic copies of their capability statement. Please limit responses to five (5) pages or less. Responses should include the following information:
1. Company Profile to include number of employees, office location(s), Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and Cage Code.
2. Name of company that will provide the product.
3. Name of company that will manufacture and country of origin of the product.
4. Specification sheets and examples of products that meet the Specifications attached herein.
5. Typical lead time to deliver the product after receipt of award to include installation time and any necessary training that is provided.
6. Identification and verification of the company’s small business status.
7. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing our requirement and finalizing our market research.
(Company sales brochures or marketing packages will not be considered).
REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW:
See the attached draft Specifications Document.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Draft Specifications.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Small Uncrewed Aircraft System | Solicitation | |
| SOURCES SOUGHT: Outdoor Small Uncrewed Aircraft System | Pre-Solicitation |
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