Drone Cleaning Services

The City of Austin is seeking qualified contractors to provide drone-based exterior cleaning services for its water reservoirs and associated infrastructure through a Request for Information (RFI) numbered RFI 2200 RBB5001, issued on July 27, 2026, with responses due by September 2, 2026. This RFI is not a formal solicitation or contract but is intended to gather market information for future procurement planning. The scope of work requires the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to clean elevated and hard-to-reach surfaces without scaffolding or manual access, including pre-cleaning drone assessments, application of environmentally responsible cleaning agents such as Citra Shield, runoff containment, and post-cleaning inspections. All work must comply with City-approved chemical concentration limits and safety standards near potable water infrastructure. Contractors must submit detailed documentation including before-and-after imagery, flight logs, chemical usage records, and completion reports for City review and approval prior to payment. Contractors must demonstrate proven experience with at least three completed drone cleaning projects on public utility infrastructure within the past five years and designate a Single Point of Contact with full authority to manage services. Pricing submissions are structured into categories including labor rates for normal and after-hours work, flat fees for maintenance services, and a fixed 25% markup on estimated material costs totaling an approximate $488,700 base value. Delivery is FOB Destination to 11110 ½ El Salido Pkwy, Austin, TX 78750, with all equipment, labor, travel, and materials provided by the contractor. The City reserves the right to award a single contract or multiple awards based on cost or any other criteria deemed most advantageous, without formal evaluation weights or technical scoring. While no formal contract clauses, representations, certifications, packaging standards, or termination provisions are outlined in the RFI, the City retains discretionary authority to inspect, accept, or withhold payment based on compliance with safety, environmental, and documentation requirements. Proposals must be submitted via email or hard copy by the deadline using provided forms, with no page limits specified but strict adherence to form structure required.