RFI/Sources Sought- Drone as First Responder Program

The City of Fort Worth is conducting a market research effort through Request for Information 26-0323 to identify qualified firms and available solutions for a citywide Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. The primary objective is to implement a system capable of rapid unmanned aircraft deployment to improve situational awareness for emergency personnel, targeting an average response time of approximately 90 seconds. This RFI seeks information on comprehensive hardware and support services, including aircraft, docking pods, command-and-control infrastructure, detect-and-avoid equipment, and necessary FAA regulatory pathways such as 14 CFR Part 107 or Certificates of Waiver or Authorization for beyond visual line of sight operations. Key requirements emphasize high standards for cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, specifically requesting CJIS Security Policy alignment, U.S.-based data storage and processing for criminal-justice data, and adherence to NDAA or DIU Blue UAS status. The City is seeking detailed technical recommendations on aircraft capabilities, safety systems like parachutes and geofencing, and industry-standard acceptance-testing practices. While the City is requesting nonbinding budgetary pricing and implementation timelines for planning purposes, this notice is for information gathering only and does not constitute a formal solicitation for award. Responses are due by October 14, 2026.