Tethered Aerial Camera
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA480925Q0064
- Agency
-
Air Combat Command
Air Force, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 336411 Aircraft Manufacturing
- PSC
- 1550 Unmanned Aircraft
- Place of performance
- North Carolina 27351, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Air Force Air Combat Command is conducting market research for the procurement of a tethered aerial camera system to provide real-time surveillance capabilities during emergency operations. The requirement consists of a comprehensive system including a portable base station (under 20 pounds), a tethered reconnaissance kite with dual visible and infrared imaging capabilities, and associated control equipment with ruggedized tablet interface. The kite must operate without requiring FAA licensure, meet specific USC requirements, maintain flight capability with one motor failure, and function in adverse weather conditions up to 25 mph winds. Key technical specifications include 1920x1080 visible camera resolution with 16x zoom, 320x240 thermal imaging capability measuring temperatures from -40°C to 400°C, and IP55 rating for weather resistance. This sources sought notice has a response deadline of June 25, 2025, and interested parties must submit capabilities packages demonstrating their qualifications, business status, and product specifications.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base anticipates this requirement will be set aside for small businesses under NAICS code 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,500 employees, though no specific set-aside designation is currently applied to this pre-solicitation. The procurement involves one complete tethered aerial camera system, and respondents must indicate whether they are suppliers or manufacturers while providing their UEI, CAGE code, and System for Award Management registration details. Companies are requested to identify their socio-economic status including 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran-owned, woman-owned, or veteran-owned small business classifications, and must disclose any foreign ownership or control. No incumbent contractors, award values, or budget ranges are specified in this market research phase, and the government emphasizes this notice does not constitute a commitment to purchase.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
Fotokite Brand or equal.
SOURCES SOUGHT: THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUOTATION BUT INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY! This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.
The Request for Quotation (RFQ) number is FA480925Q0064 and shall be used to reference any written responses to this source sought.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base anticipates a requirement that is being considered under a small business set-aside program. The North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code proposed 336411. The size standard for NAICS is 1,500 employees.
The requirement is to provide: One tethered unmanned aircraft system (UAS) aerial camera.
Salient Characteristics: Tethered reconnaissance UAS with an attached tether and rugged transport case with dual functionality as base station.
BASE STATION
The base station shall be portable and not weigh more than 20lbs and shall fit inside the passenger compartment of a midsized sport utility vehicle or crew cab pickup truck.
The base station must provide power via tether cable to UAS when in operation.
There must be a ruggedized tablet that links to the base station. Ability to view data stream (both visible and infrared cameras) via remote session is required.
The base station must be able to be plugged into 120v/15a wall/shore power using standard connections.
UAS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The UAS must not require FAA licensure to fly at elevation nor specialized training courses outside familiarization and general instruction. Instruction must not require more than 8hrs of instruction.
The UAS must meet 49 USC 44801 & 44806 requirements.
The UAS must be self-contained and provide imagery in both visible (RGB) and infrared (thermal) light.
Automatic tether separation detection is required. Redundant flight controls and ability to lose functionality of 1 motor and remain airborne is required.
The UAS must be IP55 or higher rated. Operation in rain, snow, or wind is required.
There must be the ability for the UAS to be deployed and operate in winds not to exceed 25mph.
The UAS must be able to detect anomalous weather that would otherwise damage the unit and notify operator and lower flight altitude to safe levels.
OPTICS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The visible light camera must have a resolution minimum of 1920x1080 @ 30fps with 16x zoom.
The thermal imaging must have a resolution minimum of 320x240 @ 27fps with the ability to measure -40C – 400C ±5%.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The tablet device shall have a charge cradle/dock for use inside of the vehicle and from 120v/15a wall/shore power.
There shall be a web-based portal or native Windows Application that can be installed on any device that can connect to the UAS/base station to provide the same functionalities as the tablet device.
Include in your capabilities package your UEI, Cage Code, System for Award Management expiration date, and any related specifications/drawings.
The purpose of this item is to provide aerial surveillance during emergency operations. Giving the Incident Commander real time visuals while conducting operations.
We are interested in any small business that is capable of meeting this requirement.
Market research is being conducted to determine interest, capability, and socio-economic category of potential sources for the requirement. The Government requests interested parties submit a brief description of their company's business status (i.e., 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zone, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, or small business) anticipated teaming arrangements, and a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers.
All interested firms shall submit a capabilities package that explicitly demonstrates company capabilities (indicating examples of commercial sales) and product specifications related to this effort. Also indicate if the firm is the manufacturer, or provide the name and size of the manufacturer of the proposed product(s). Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a Foreign-owned/foreign-controlled firm and any contemplated us of foreign national employees on this effort.
NOTE: RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT SHALL STATE IF THEY ARE A SUPPLIER OR MANUFACTURER!
Please note: All contractors doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.
Future information about this acquisition, including issuance of a quotation and/or applicable amendments, will be issued through this site. Interested parties are responsible for ensuring they have the most up-to-date information regarding this acquisition.
Update #1 ·
SOURCES SOUGHT: THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUOTATION BUT INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY! This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.
The Request for Quotation (RFQ) number is FA480925Q0064 and shall be used to reference any written responses to this source sought.
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base anticipates a requirement that is being considered under a small business set-aside program. The North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code proposed 336411. The size standard for NAICS is 1,500 employees.
The requirement is to provide: One (1) Tethered Aerial Camera
Salient Characteristics: Tethered aerial reconnaissance kite with an attached tether and rugged transport case with dual functionality as base station.
BASE STATION
The base station shall be portable and not weigh more than 20lbs and shall fit inside the passenger compartment of a midsized sport utility vehicle or crew cab pickup truck.
The base station must provide power via tether cable to kite when in operation.
There must be a ruggedized tablet that links to the base station. Ability to view data stream (both visible and infrared cameras) via remote session is required.
The base station must be able to be plugged into 120v/15a wall/shore power using standard connections.
KITE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The kite must not require FAA licensure to fly at elevation nor specialized training courses outside familiarization and general instruction. Instruction must not require more than 8hrs of instruction.
The kite must meet 49 USC 44801 & 44806 requirements.
The kite must be self-contained and provide imagery in both visible (RGB) and infrared (thermal) light.
Automatic tether separation detection is required. Redundant flight controls and ability to lose functionality of 1 motor and remain airborne is required.
The kite must be IP55 or higher rated. Operation in rain, snow, or wind is required.
There must be the ability for the kite to be deployed and operate in winds not to exceed 25mph.
The kite must be able to detect anomalous weather that would otherwise damage the unit and notify operator and lower flight altitude to safe levels.
OPTICS TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
The visible light camera must have a resolution minimum of 1920x1080 @ 30fps with 16x zoom.
The thermal imaging must have a resolution minimum of 320x240 @ 27fps with the ability to measure -40C – 400C ±5%.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The tablet device shall have a charge cradle/dock for use inside of the vehicle and from 120v/15a wall/shore power.
There shall be a web-based portal or native Windows Application that can be installed on any device that can connect to the kite/base station to provide the same functionalities as the tablet device.
Include in your capabilities package your UEI, Cage Code, System for Award Management expiration date, and any related specifications/drawings.
The purpose of this item is to provide aerial surveillance during emergency operations. Giving the Incident Commander real time visuals while conducting operations.
We are interested in any small business that is capable of meeting this requirement.
Market research is being conducted to determine interest, capability, and socio-economic category of potential sources for the requirement. The Government requests interested parties submit a brief description of their company's business status (i.e., 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zone, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, or small business) anticipated teaming arrangements, and a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers.
All interested firms shall submit a capabilities package that explicitly demonstrates company capabilities (indicating examples of commercial sales) and product specifications related to this effort. Also indicate if the firm is the manufacturer, or provide the name and size of the manufacturer of the proposed product(s). Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a Foreign-owned/foreign-controlled firm and any contemplated us of foreign national employees on this effort.
NOTE: RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT SHALL STATE IF THEY ARE A SUPPLIER OR MANUFACTURER!
Please note: All contractors doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.
Future information about this acquisition, including issuance of a quotation and/or applicable amendments, will be issued through this site. Interested parties are responsible for ensuring they have the most up-to-date information regarding this acquisition.
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