This Government Contract opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on May 6, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Group 2 unmanned aircraft system (UAS)
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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AI Contract Overview
The 439th Contracting Flight at Westover Air Reserve Base, Massachusetts, plans to award a firm-fixed-price sole-source contract to Drone Express (DEXA) for one DE-2020 autonomous aircraft system. This multi-rotor hexacopter drone is required to support the 439th Mission Support Group by enabling autonomous delivery of supplies and providing surveillance, identification, tracking, and response functions related to small unmanned aircraft systems within restricted airspace. The system’s capabilities include a carbon fiber frame, six brushless motors, an advanced autopilot system, a payload capacity of 5 pounds, a cruise speed of 40 mph, and FAA certifications for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations, making it uniquely suited for the government’s mission. The procurement package includes the drone, a two-day onsite "Train the Trainer" training for government personnel, and a one-year maintenance plan. Delivery is expected at Westover Air Reserve Base by August 2026. This award is justified under the sole-source authority as Drone Express is identified as the only responsible source able to meet the government’s specific performance and regulatory requirements, particularly their FAA S-1 designation and Part 135 certification, which enable the unique combination of secure communications and operational capabilities needed. While this is not a competitive solicitation, other vendors who believe they can meet these stringent requirements may submit capability statements or proposals by May 8, 2026, though the government reserves the right to make a non-competitive award. The contract is a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 336411, and all activities will take place in Chicopee, Massachusetts, near Westover Air Reserve Base.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Chicopee, MA, 01022, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
This document is a combined synopsis and solicitation/ Sole source for commercial items, prepared in accordance with the format in RFO Part 12, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
The 439th Contracting Flight, Westover Air Reserve Base, MA, intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract on a sole-source basis to Drone Express (DEXA) for the procurement of one (1) DEXA DE-2020 autonomous aircraft system. The DEXA DE-2020 is required to support the 439th Mission Support Group's need for a drone capable of autonomous delivery of supplies, as well as to provide airborne surveillance, identification, tracking, and response capabilities for small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) operating in or near restricted airspace. This system is essential for testing and validation of installation sUAS and Counter-sUAS (C-sUAS) capabilities.
The procurement includes the following:
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DEXA DE-2020 Drone: A multi-rotor hexacopter with the following minimum specifications:
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Carbon fiber frame
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Six (6) brushless motors
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Pixhawk Blue Cube or greater autopilot
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Weight: 20-25 lbs
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Maximum cruise speed: 40 mph
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Payload capacity: 5 lbs
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Minimum battery life: 45 minutes
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Minimum range: 4 miles
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Emergency parachute recovery system
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FAA S-1 Approved List Certification (under Section 44807) and Part 135 certification
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Training: A two-day, onsite training program for government personnel on the UAS. This will include a "Train the Trainer" certification.
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Maintenance: A one-year maintenance plan.
2. Place of Performance and Delivery:
The drone and all associated services shall be delivered to Westover Air Reserve Base, MA. The required delivery date is by August 2026.
3. Justification for Sole Source:
The authority for this sole-source procurement is RFO 6.103-1(b) – "One responsible source." Market research has indicated that no other vendors are capable of providing a Group 2 weighted UAS comparable to the DE-2020 that meets the government's requirements. DEXA's (Drone Express) regulatory posture, including FAA S-1 designation and Part 135 certification, and its aircraft's specific capabilities for Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations, make it the only vendor that can provide a comparable combination of autonomous airborne response, secure communications, and regulatory readiness.
4. Submission of Information:
This notice is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all interested parties who believe they can meet the requirements are invited to submit, in writing, a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Information can be sent to Robert E. Stacy, Contracting Officer, at robert.stacy.2@us.af.mil. The response must be received no later than Friday, May 8, 2026
A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.
