This Government Contract opportunity from Department Of The Interior was posted on June 12, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
R--Design and fabrication of drop release system.
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The U.S. Geological Survey intends to award a sole-source purchase order to Drone Amplified of Lincoln, Nebraska, for the design and fabrication of a pilot-controlled emergency ejection system capable of reliably releasing a scientific payload from Department of the Interior-approved uncrewed aerial systems during critical conditions. This action is justified by the exclusive access Drone Amplified has to proprietary flight control software used on these systems, making it the only vendor with the technical capability to integrate a drop-release mechanism without compromising flight safety or system integrity. The requirement falls under FAR Part 12 for Commercial Products and Commercial Services, with the NAICS code 541490 and a $13.5 million annual size standard. The Statement of Work mandates the delivery of two fully functional prototype units, complete with all hardware, wiring, connectors, and mounting brackets compatible with USGS Freely Alta-X Gen 1 and Gen 2 UAVs, alongside a comprehensive design package including manufacturing-ready CAD files, a bill of materials, assembly instructions, and final reports documenting design, fabrication, testing, and corrective actions. The system must meet strict performance standards, including a 0.5-second release time, single-action functionality, and seamless compatibility with Drone Amplified’s DA Flight software, ensuring no interference with flight control logic. The period of performance runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, with final testing to be conducted at a location determined by USGS. The contractor must provide a detailed schedule covering design completion, prototype fabrication, fit checks, ground and flight testing, and final delivery, with all deliverables subject to acceptance by USGS upon successful verification of technical compliance, documentation completeness, and test results. Personnel involved must possess expertise in mechanical and electrical engineering, and the project imposes security requirements related to personnel clearances, computer security, and access to federal facilities. The contractor is also subject to obligations concerning data rights, safety, and environmental compliance. While this is a notice of intent and not a formal solicitation, responsible parties may submit capability statements by the deadline of June 22, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, exclusively via email to tracy_huot@ios.doi.gov; hardcopy or SAM.gov submissions will not be considered. No formal evaluation factors or contract pricing are included at this stage, as the agency retains full discretion to determine whether competition will be pursued based on responses received.
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Full Description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to negotiate a purchase order with Drone Amplified, Lincoln, NE for Design and fabrication of a pilot-controlled ejection system capable of releasing a scientific payload from an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in emergency condition as described in the attached Statement of Work.
Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. Drone Amplified is, to the USGS knowledge, the only source who can provide this as Drone Amplified is the sole vendor with access to, and development authority over, the proprietary flight control software used on Department of the Interiors approved Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). The emergency drop-release mechanism must integrate seamlessly with hardware and software to ensure that all release commands are interpreted reliably and that no conflicts are introduced into the aircrafts flight control logic. Because the control software governs both piloted and autonomous flight modes, any hardware that interfaces with it becomes part of a flight critical system. No other vendor possesses the technical capability, proprietary interface access, or software level insight needed to design a drop-release device that will operate safely within this closed ecosystem.
The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR Subpart 5.203. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a capability statement by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government.
The NAICS code for this action is 541490 Other Specialized Design Services, with the associated size standard of $13.5 million annually.
Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to tracy_huot@ios.doi.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 06/22/2026 1700 PD. Responses submitted by hardcopy or the SAM.gov portal shall not be accepted or considered.
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