Inspired Flight 800 Drone with GRYFN GOBI sensing Payload, or comparable

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides clarifications from the Government regarding inspection, acceptance, and delivery procedures for the solicitation, aiming to streamline the process and ensure prompt vendor payment.

• Compliance Flight & Acceptance: Vendors must conduct a Compliance Flight at their facility before formal training to demonstrate the UAS and payload are functional. Verbal acceptance will be provided on-site by the Government upon successful completion.
• Training & Risk of Loss: The Government assumes risk of loss for the asset during training, as acceptance occurs prior to training. Damage due to Government operator error during training is the Government's responsibility.
• Training Timeline: Training must be scheduled and completed within 30 days of contract award or within 30 days of the vendor notifying the Government of system readiness.
• Possession, Logistics & Invoicing (Within 8-Hour Drive): For facilities within an 8-hour drive, the Government takes physical possession post-training. Invoices can be submitted in IPP.gov upon the Government's return to its home facility and successful entry of the receiving report.
• Possession, Logistics & Invoicing (Beyond 8-Hour Drive): For facilities over an 8-hour drive, the Government verbally accepts the unit on-site post-compliance flight. The vendor is responsible for packing and shipping. Invoices can be submitted in IPP.gov upon shipment, pending a successful destination inspection.

These clarifications revise inspection, acceptance, and delivery procedures. They also impact the timeline for training and the process for submitting invoices and determining risk of loss, which bidders should consider in their proposals.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for an Inspired Flight 800 Drone with GRYFN GOBI sensing Payload, or a comparable system. The USDA-ARS in Madison, WI requires a turnkey, flight-ready Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) integrated with a specialized multimodal sensor payload. The system must be NDAA/ASDA compliant and capable of simultaneous, time-synchronized data collection across LiDAR, Hyperspectral (VNIR), and RGB sensors.

• Drone Platform: Inspired Flight 800 or comparable Blue UAS with specific performance (ascent/descent speeds, endurance, weight limits), navigation/control (GNSS, compass, GCS), and physical hardware (frame, power, spares) requirements.

• Sensing Payload & Integration: GRYFN GOBI or comparable multimodal system with turn-key integration, time-stamped data collection via a single PPS signal, and specific sensor configurations (Hyperspectral, LiDAR, RGB).

• Ancillary Equipment: Two sets of target panels and software for producing high-quality rasters and point cloud products.

• Services, Support & Logistics: Two-year maintenance/warranty for drone and sensors, full-day on-site workshop for training, and preference for unified cases for packaging.

• Contract Type: Commercial Items.

• Period of Performance: Delivery is 60 days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated, but quotes will be evaluated on Price and Technical Capability for best value.

• Submission Deadline: April 23rd, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET.

• Submission Requirements: Quote on company letterhead including Vendor Details (SAM.gov UEI), Technical Documentation (descriptive material and "meets/does not meet" document), Pricing (unit and total), Timeline, and Validity (at least 60 days).

• Evaluation Criteria: Quotes will be evaluated based on Price and Technical Capability, with the Government reserving the right to select the best value, not necessarily the lowest priced.

• Questions Deadline: April 20th, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET.

• This acquisition is set-aside 100% for small business concerns.

• NAICS Code: 334511 (Size Standard: 1350 employees).

• This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; no separate written solicitation will be issued.

• All correspondence should include the solicitation number 1232SA26Q0477 in the subject line.

• Delivery Address: USDA - ARS, US Dairy Forage Research Center, 1925 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706.