Level III Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the Department of Homeland Security's Air and Marine Contracting Division, issued a Request for Information (RFI) in December 2025 to conduct market research on Level III Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). This RFI aims to gather detailed information on the availability and technological capabilities of vendors capable of supplying Level III sUAS—classified internally by CBP as Group 1 UAVs weighing between approximately 20 to 55 pounds—to support and enhance USBP’s sUAS program for tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The government explicitly states that this RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and does not intend to award a contract or pay for responses. Respondents are required to provide vendor capability data via a two-part submission: a white paper capped at 15 pages plus Attachment A vendor data form, which collects company information, socioeconomic status, manufacturing readiness, and compliance certifications. The RFI specifies detailed technical and operational requirements reflecting CBP’s need for robust, autonomous, and interoperable sUAS platforms suitable for harsh environments and GNSS-denied conditions. Key features include a 1.5 to 3-hour flight endurance carrying a 5-pound payload; IP54 environmental rating; a 10+ mile operational range with rugged, jam-resistant command and control links compliant with NDAA Section 848; FAA regulatory compliance; and advanced sensor capabilities including EO/IR cameras capable of license plate recognition and human detection at significant distances. The systems must integrate seamlessly with the Android Team Awareness Kit (TAK), support RTSP video streaming with embedded metadata, offer offline mission simulation, and be transportable in a standard SUV. The government mandates a minimum 1-year warranty plus 5 years of software support with US-based repair services. Respondents must affirm regulatory compliance and provide detailed company data. Although no contractual clauses, payment terms, or evaluation factors apply at this stage, the government will use the information gathered to shape a future acquisition strategy and potential formal solicitation posted on SAM.gov.