UAV Airframe and Obstacle Avoidance System

The contract seeks the supply of a heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle airframe tailored for dual-payload agricultural operations, integrating a 360-degree millimeter-wave radar system for obstacle detection and avoidance, live first-person-view transmission for real-time operator feedback, and a high-capacity battery system to support extended mission endurance. The airframe must be engineered to carry and operate two distinct agricultural payloads concurrently, enabling efficient and simultaneous execution of tasks such as precision spraying and soil monitoring. The design must prioritize reliability, durability, and performance in agricultural environments with challenging terrain and variable weather conditions. The system must meet stringent operational requirements for seamless integration into existing farm management workflows. This subcontract is issued under a Small Business Set Aside designation, restricted to qualifying small businesses, with the North American Industry Classification System code 336411 covering aircraft manufacturing. Performance is required to begin at the designated location in Temple, Texas, with an all-inclusive delivery and integration timeline tied to the response deadline of August 21, 2026. The procurement is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, focused on advancing agricultural technology through innovative unmanned systems. Interested parties must demonstrate technical capability in UAV development, radar system integration, and agricultural application experience, with proposals evaluated on technical merit, compliance, and small business eligibility.