Platoon Level Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (SUAS)

The U.S. Army, through ACC-RSA and PM-UAS, is soliciting innovative Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (SUAS) under the Commercial Solution Opening W58RGZ-26-S-C001 to meet platoon-level reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition needs. The system must weigh no more than 19 pounds, include an EO/IR payload, ground control station, and ancillary equipment, and operate effectively in day, night, and adverse weather conditions with a minimum 30-minute endurance at a 3-kilometer range. It must integrate with the Integrated Tactical Network and Tactical Assault Kit, feature GPS-denied navigation, obstacle avoidance, and a 3–8 km line-of-sight data link, while tolerating up to 15 knots of wind and meeting IP-rated environmental standards. Compliance with the 2020 and 2023 NDAA sections, the American Security Drone Act of 2023, and strict supply chain restrictions—particularly prohibitions on components sourced from covered foreign nations—is mandatory. The system must also support 48-hour unattended field operations using rechargeable, field-replaceable batteries and meet rigorous cybersecurity requirements aligned with NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7019, with assessment results submitted to the Supplier Performance Risk System. Proposals must be submitted via email as a single white paper not exceeding ten pages in 12pt Arial font, supported by attachments including the System Characteristics, Bill of Materials, Operators Manual, Software Version Description, and STIG scans. All offerors must possess an active Unique Entity ID and CAGE code, maintain a current SAM.gov registration, and be registered in the Wide Area Workflow system for invoicing. Organizational Conflict of Interest disclosures are required, with mitigation plans submitted if applicable. Evaluation prioritizes system performance verified through white paper assessment and live flight demonstrations, followed by manufacturing readiness assessed through a Manufacturing Readiness Assessment that includes supply chain risk analysis, and finally system pricing. Awards will be made on a trade-off basis, considering overall merit rather than lowest price technically acceptable, with the government retaining the right to make multiple, single, or no awards. The delivery location is Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, with initial deliveries expected by August 2026. No contract value is disclosed, and proposals must be unclassified, with proprietary information clearly marked.