SAM #N00421-26-RFPREQ-A0X0000-0065

Sources Sought: Contractor-Owned, Contractor-Operated MQ-9B SeaGuardian Flight Services for U.S. Navy

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), under the Department of the Navy, is seeking information from industry regarding the provision of Contractor Owned, Contractor Operated (COCO) MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft flight services. - Government Buyer: - Department of the Navy - Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) - OEM Highlight: - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) is the referenced OEM for the MQ-9B SeaGuardian/SkyGuardian aircraft - Requested Services: - Provision of contractor-owned MQ-9B SeaGuardian aircraft - Ground Control Station (GCS) capability - Qualified pilots and maintenance personnel - Aircraft operation, launch and recovery, and mission execution - Maintenance, logistics, spares, and supply support - Mission planning, communications, and data links - Compliance with FAA, Department of the Navy, U.S. Navy, airworthiness, and host-nation requirements - Support for maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and other government-directed missions - Operations from designated CONUS and/or overseas locations - Notable Requirements: - All aircraft and support must be contractor-owned and operated - Services must meet stringent airworthiness and operational standards - No specific part numbers or quantities provided (market research phase) - Anticipated contract structure is firm fixed price with a five-year period of performance

Description

DISCLAIMER:

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS A MARKET RESEARCH TOOL BEING USED TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL AND ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES DESCRIBED HEREIN PRIOR TO DETERMINING THE METHOD OF ACQUISITION AND ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is seeking sources capable of providing Contractor Owned, Contractor Operated (COCO) MQ-9B SeaGuardian unmanned aircraft flight services in support of U.S. Navy and Department of War (DoW) missions.  The Government anticipates that services may include maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and other Government-directed missions..

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE:

The anticipated Period of Performance is five (5) years with an anticipated start date of September 2028.

ANTICIPATED CONTRACT TYPE:

Firm fixed price

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES:

The Government anticipates that services may include maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and other Government-directed missions. The final requirement, performance locations, aircraft configuration, flight-hour requirements, period of performance, and contract structure will be established of award, if this effort is pursued.  

The anticipated requirement is for contractor-provided MQ-9B SeaGuardian flight services, including, but not limited to:

Provision of contractor-owned MQ-9B aircraft and associated Ground Control Station (GCS) capability; Qualified and appropriately certified pilots, mission operators, and maintenance personnel; Aircraft operation, launch and recovery, mission execution, and flight-hour support; Aircraft maintenance, logistics, spares, and supply support necessary to maintain mission availability; Mission planning, scheduling, and operational coordination; Communications, data links, and other equipment necessary to conduct assigned missions; Compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DoW, U.S. Navy, airworthiness, range, and host-nation requirements, as applicable; Support for operations from designated CONUS and/or overseas locations and operating areas; and Other services necessary to provide a fully operational MQ-9B COCO flight-services capability.

SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

Interested companies are requested to provide a capabilities statement of no more than 10 pages (8.5” x 11” pages, font no smaller than 12 point, 1.5 spacing) addressing, at a minimum:

Corporate information, including company name, CAGE code, business type/size/status, mailing address, and primary point of contact information. Demonstrated experience providing COCO UAS or comparable aircraft flight services to the U.S. Government or other customers. Number and configuration of MQ-9B aircraft currently owned, leased, controlled, or otherwise available to support the requirement, including anticipated availability. Experience operating Group V UAS, including BVLOS operations, maritime operations, and operations in controlled/restricted airspace. Ability to provide qualified remote pilots, aircrew, maintenance personnel, GCSs, logistics, and other required support. Ability to operate from various OCONUS locations and one CONUS location. Relevant contracts and programs demonstrating substantially similar capability. Known barriers, dependencies, or lead times associated with providing the requirements listed above

Whether the company believes the requirement can be satisfied by a source other than the current/anticipated source, and identification of any subcontracting or teaming arrangements that could provide the required capability.

The capability statement shall be sent by email to chelsey.d.williams5.civ@us.navy.mil. Submissions must be received at the office cited no later than 4:00 PM EST on 9 September 2026. All data received in responses to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be protected. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted. No phone call will be accepted. All questions must be submitted via email to Chelsey Williams, chelsey.d.williams5.civ@us.navy.mil. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to these Sources Sought.

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