Small Fixed-wing VTOL Drone Bundles (min. 3)

The National Research Council of Canada’s Center for Drone Innovation is seeking to acquire a minimum of three fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial systems to serve as advanced research and development platforms for autonomy, flight control algorithms, and custom payload integration. Each system must be a quad-plane configuration with four vertical motors for VTOL and a single pusher or puller motor for horizontal flight, have an all-electric propulsion system, a maximum wingspan of 5 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 50 kilograms. The drones must support a minimum payload capacity of 2.5 kilograms under standard atmospheric conditions at sea level and achieve a minimum flight endurance of one hour at a cruise speed of 15 meters per second while carrying that payload, including at least 10 minutes of hovering time. Compatibility with open-source autopilot software such as PX4 or ArduPilot and open-source ground stations like QGroundControl or MissionPlanner using MAVLink protocols is mandatory, along with a physical bay interface for custom payloads. All proposed solutions must be new and conform to the latest applicable specifications. Bidders must submit fixed unit prices in Canadian currency, with customs duties excluded and applicable taxes added separately. Offers are evaluated solely on compliance with 11 mandatory technical criteria and lowest price; failure to meet any single requirement disqualifies the proposal. The solicitation is restricted to Canadian suppliers and suppliers from applicable trading partners under the Policy on Reciprocal Procurement, and no security clearance is required. Submission must be electronic, with proposals divided into three sections—technical, financial, and certification forms—submitted separately by June 22, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET. Deliveries are due no later than September 30, 2026, and must be delivered to the specified DAP location in Mirabel, Quebec, under Incoterms 2020. Packaging must prioritize reusable, recyclable, or returnable materials, excluding only tape and specialized packaging for temperature control or hazardous transport. Invoices must be emailed to the designated address, include full transactional details and contract identifiers, and are subject to 30-day payment terms with interest on late payments. The contractor must maintain compliant accounting records accessible for audit for seven years after final payment, certify adherence to the Canadian Electrical Code for all electrical components, disclose greenhouse gas emissions, and continuously comply with all certifications provided in the offer. Failure to maintain compliance will constitute contract default.