NSU Drone for ARGO Lab

Northwestern State University is seeking to procure a specialized drone system for its Advanced Remote and Geospatial Operations (ARGO) Lab through an Invitation to Bid (ITB #7656). The procurement involves acquiring a SkyScout drone with Black Herelink system, a RESEPI Avia Livox LiDar camera, and WISPR Smart Batteries, with specific requirements including one complete drone system with case and two batteries, one LiDar camera system with accessories, and four additional smart batteries. The primary objective is to support LiDAR surveys for constructing digital elevation models (DEMs), digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), and conducting volumetric assessments, as well as providing instructional capabilities for drone operations courses. Sealed bids are due by 2:00 PM on January 16, 2025, at the Northwestern State University Purchasing Office in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The solicitation requires vendors to provide on-site training and deliver equipment FOB Destination to NSU Central Receiving, with all associated shipping, freight, installation, and set-up costs included in the bid price. The university will consider equivalent products that meet or exceed specified requirements, provided detailed documentation of equivalency is submitted.

The procurement does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The bid includes favorable terms for the university, such as a Net 30 payment schedule and exemption from Louisiana state and local sales taxes. A notable feature of the solicitation is a "lemon policy" that requires replacement of any equipment experiencing the same problem three times within the first year. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the procurement targets jurisdictions in Ouachita Parish and New Orleans City, Louisiana. The solicitation does not provide a specific budget range or maximum award value, but vendors must submit comprehensive pricing that includes the drone system, LiDAR camera, batteries, accessories, and on-site training. Potential bidders should carefully review the detailed specifications in the ITB document to ensure their proposed solution meets the university's technical and operational requirements for geospatial data collection and educational purposes.