OWR NFIP Drone

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources seeks to procure one new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) rotary/copter style drone system through this competitive procurement opportunity, with proposals due March 16, 2026. The drone must be manufactured in the USA and equipped with multiple interchangeable payloads, including optical cameras featuring minimum 8x optical zoom and 8.5 megapixel resolution, thermal imaging systems with 640x512 pixel minimum resolution and 8x zoom capability, and LiDAR payload support. The system must incorporate RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GPS capabilities, Remote ID compliance with all FAA regulations, a minimum 30-minute flight time, and a 4-pound payload capacity (with flexibility to accept 3.75 pounds), with maximum unfolded dimensions of 38 inches. The complete procurement package includes a gimbal attachment system, quick-attach payload switching capability, a carrying case, minimum 4 batteries, a charger, 128GB storage, all necessary cables and adapters, and one day of on-site training upon delivery. The drone must be new and unused with a minimum one-year warranty covering parts and labor, F.O.B. delivery with shipping costs included, and an owner/user manual. No specific evaluation criteria beyond compliance with technical specifications and federal certifications have been detailed in the posted documents.

This procurement is funded through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant funds, which imposes comprehensive federal compliance requirements on all bidders. Vendors must comply with FEMA supplemental terms and conditions, including Section 889(f)(2)-(3) of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act, which strictly prohibits equipment manufactured by or containing components from prohibited entities including Huawei Technologies, ZTE Corporation, Hytera Communications, Hangzhou Hikvision, Dahua Technology, or any entity owned, controlled by, or connected to the People's Republic of China. Additionally, all vendors must execute Federal Certifications addressing civil rights, equal employment opportunity, debarment and suspension status, drug-free workplace requirements, Davis-Bacon Act compliance, and Buy America provisions under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Standard state procurement requirements include mandatory insurance coverage (General Commercial Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence, and Workers' Compensation), three-year record retention (five years for federal funding), and compliance with the State Prompt Payment Act. No specific budget range or award value has been disclosed in the procurement documents. The solicitation does not identify any incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure requiring integration, though technical clarifications in the Question and Answer Document indicate acceptance of specific drone platforms such as the WISPR SkyScout and Freefly Astro Max that meet NDAA compliance requirements.