MassDOT Request for Information on U. S. -Based Manufacturers of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division has issued a Request for Information (RFI) targeting U.S.-based manufacturers of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). The procurement seeks comprehensive market research on multi-rotor and fixed-wing drone platforms with advanced sensor capabilities, focusing on potential future demonstration opportunities in infrastructure inspections, asset mapping, and construction monitoring. Manufacturers are required to submit detailed responses through the COMMBUYS platform by October 23, 2025, at 3:00 PM, with preliminary questions due by October 16, 2025. The RFI mandates respondents provide extensive documentation including company background, drone technical specifications, sensor payload details, demonstration proposals, pricing information, government experience, and regulatory compliance. Key evaluation criteria will center on technical capabilities such as payload capacity, flight endurance, operational range, sensor technologies (RGB, thermal, LiDAR), data collection processes, and demonstrable experience with FAA regulations, particularly for commercial Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.

The RFI explicitly restricts responses to U.S.-based manufacturers, effectively creating a domestic manufacturing set-aside for this opportunity. While no specific disadvantaged enterprise requirements are mentioned, the procurement emphasizes national manufacturing capabilities. The document clarifies that this RFI is purely informational and does not constitute a binding solicitation, suggesting MassDOT is conducting preliminary market research to potentially develop future procurement or demonstration events. No specific award values or budget ranges are disclosed in the provided documentation. The opportunity appears designed to explore cutting-edge UAS technologies without committing to an immediate contract, allowing MassDOT to gather comprehensive intelligence about current domestic drone manufacturing capabilities, particularly for advanced infrastructure and monitoring applications.