FY26 AFJROTC VEX AIR Competition Drones - Intent to Sole Source

The Air Force Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFJROTC) is seeking to acquire VEX AIR Competition Drone bundles to advance its unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) training program, enabling cadets to develop hands-on operational skills including flight control, system maintenance, troubleshooting, and team-based coordination. The Department of Defense’s 42nd Contracting Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama intends to award a sole source contract to VEX Robotics for these drone bundles, which include one drone with a controller, a welcome kit for team registration, three functional modules (Passive, Motorized, Magnetic), four high- and low-capacity batteries, a communication headset, multiple propeller sets, USB and AC power adapters, and other accessories. All equipment must be brand new, compliant with Section 889 regulations, and meet specific physical and technical standards such as a 190mm x 220mm size, 249g maximum weight, 7.4V lithium polymer battery power, brushless DC motors, and permanent 360-degree propeller ducts for safety. The drones must be programmable via code Blocks, Switch, and Python using Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code extension and include a forward-facing camera for first-person flight view. Training for AFJROTC instructors on curriculum design, assembly, coding, and flight operations is required with each delivery, which will be made on an on-demand basis to units listed in Appendix A, with response times within five working days of a request. Delivery locations may change as units are activated or deactivated, and all shipments must be delivered to Montgomery, Alabama. The contractor must provide comprehensive warranty documentation, including written procedures, designated company contacts, and confirmation of warranty periods prior to acceptance, along with clear protocols for technical support, troubleshooting, and equipment replacement. The solicitation number is F2XJA76154AW01, classified as a sources sought notice under NAICS code 339930, indicating this is a market research action and not a formal solicitation—thus no formal contract clauses, evaluation factors, pricing, or award criteria are yet established, and responses are invited only for market analysis to inform future procurement decisions.