UAS Type 3 - USFS Approved Agreement

Synopsis:  The US Forest Service intends to negotiate a sole source agreement with Vision Aerial, LLC. for the SwitchBlade-Elite Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).  This agreement will also contain the option to include an EO/IR sensor and gimbal along with batteries and dual battery charger. The SwitchBlade-Elite meets and/or exceeds US Forest Service standards and requirements for the US Forest Service Type 3 (less than 25 pounds max takeoff) UAS.  Standards and requirements include but are not limited to: platform weight (3-15lbs), speed (minimum governing speed of 30 knots), windspeed resistance (25mph), command and control range (2+ miles), video transmit range (2+ miles), a downlink control frequency shall be a secure, digital data link at 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz, or 900 MHz ISM bands, with NIST FIPS-compliant WPA2 or 128-, 192-, or 256-bit AES encryption, Agency must have the ability to decline and lock out any device information sharing including telemetry through aircraft software or applications preventing any automated uploads or downloads, the ability to integrate multiple payloads commonly utilized by the Forest Service, and vegetation retains minimal impact to command and control or video range.  Vision Aerial’s Switchblade has incorporated multiple payloads used by the US Forest Service up to five pounds and can integrate new sensors.  Thorough testing and evaluation showed it will perform well in the complex environments and terrain where it will be utilized and benefit the most functions within the Agency.  A dual EO/IR sensor that must incorporate both a 30X optical zoom and 800 x 600-pixel IR resolution will be an option with the agreement. This agreement is additionally based on Vision Aerial’s ability to meet the requirements of the Buy American Act, the current administration’s new executive order entitled “Ensuring the Future Is Made in America, by Americans-All of American Workers”, National cyber secure link prioritization, and ability to produce and assemble necessary quantities to support Agency needs.  

This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals.  No solicitation documents are available and telephone requests will not be honored.  However, if a firm believes it can meet the requirements it must furnish information about its products and services, as well as references from other customers who are using these products and service, to the Contracting Officer within (7) calendar days from the date of publication of this synopsis.  Testing and evaluation of the UAS by Agency personnel will be required and at cost to the firm to demonstrate the ability to meet US Forest Service standards for Type 3 (less than 25 pounds) UAS.  Testing and evaluation would consist of: endurance testing with payloads specific to Agency missions, utilizing flight planning technology to fly transects and create an orthomosaic, mapping a timberline edge, IR capabilities test, tower and/or bridge inspection, technical flights out of tight timber areas to evaluated command and control, range testing, and flight software testing to ensure distance and connectivity requirements are met.  Information must be sent to the Contracting Officer, Forest Service Contracting, 3833 S. Development Ave, Boise ID, 83705, via fax to (208) 387-5398 or via e-mail to matthew.olson@usda.gov.  Responses received will be evaluated however; a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  If no responses are received, the Forest Service will proceed with the sole source negotiation with Vision Aerial, LLC.