FA8629-26-S-C001(Call-001)_Air Force - Small UAS & Asymmetric Capabilities - Commercial Solutions Opening

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center is seeking innovative commercial or non-developmental small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) platforms through a multi-phase Commercial Solutions Opening. The primary objective is to identify mature platforms with demonstrated flight heritage (TRL 6) to support communications relay and data exfiltration missions. The scope specifically focuses on the integration of communications relay payloads and the engineering required for air-launch or drop capabilities from SOCOM PEO-FW air vehicles, explicitly excluding clean-sheet research and development for the base platform. The government targets an average procurement unit cost of 250,000 dollars for the baseline platform at mature production quantities. The acquisition follows a phased down-select process starting with Phase 1 solution briefs, which are due by October 15, 2026. Subsequent phases include baseline performance validation in Phase 3 and prototype development and air-launch demonstrations in Phase 4, with the potential for a non-competitive Phase 5 for low-rate initial production and full-scale fielding. Awards may be issued as fixed-price FAR-based contracts or Other Transactions under 10 U.S.C. 4022. While initial phases are unclassified, later stages may require Secret level facility and personnel clearances. Systems must adhere to Modular Open Systems Approach principles and meet strict DoD cybersecurity evaluations to achieve an Authority to Operate on DoD networks.