Drone as First Responder Program

The City of San Diego is seeking information from qualified vendors to develop a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program specifically tailored for the San Diego Police Department. The program aims to enhance emergency response capabilities within the City's expansive 372 square miles, which is home to over 1.4 million residents and experiences more than 400,000 police service calls annually. The airspace above the city is complex, primarily consisting of Class B airspace, with additional areas of Class D airspace, making the implementation of drone operations a specialized challenge. Interested vendors must submit electronically signed proposals through the PlanetBids portal by July 9, 2026, with specific instructions for submission included in the contract documents. The City may request original hard copies if electronic submissions lack authorized electronic signatures. The solicitation, issued by the Purchasing & Contracting Department of the City of San Diego, provides direct contact information for inquiries and emphasizes compliance with submission protocols to ensure consideration for the contract.