Drone Dominance Program - Request for Information
ID: N0016426SNB20Type: Special Notice
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE NAVYNSWC CRANECRANE, IN, 47522-5001, USA

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; EXPERIMENTAL DEVELOPMENT (AC13)

Set Aside

No Set aside used (NONE)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/c629a1310f5f432c81e373bf0d4ddddc/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense, through the Department of the Navy's NSWC Crane, is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for its Drone Dominance Program, aimed at enhancing the production of low-cost small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for One-Way Attack (OWA) missions. The program seeks to rapidly scale the manufacturing of U.S.-made sUAS to support warfighting capabilities, with a planned investment of $1 billion in fixed-price orders over four phases within the next two years, utilizing 10 U.S.C. 4022. This initiative is critical for ensuring that every warfighter has access to affordable and effective sUAS, thereby strengthening the U.S. industrial base. Interested vendors are encouraged to respond to the RFI by submitting their insights on production challenges and capabilities via a standardized online form, with responses due by December 17, 2025, and the first phase of the Gauntlet challenge set to commence on February 16, 2026.

    Point(s) of Contact
    No information provided.
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Drone Dominance RFI.docx
    The Department of War is seeking information through a Request for Information (RFI) for its “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” program. This initiative aims to rapidly scale the production of low-cost, U.S.-made small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for One-Way Attack (OWA) missions. The program plans to invest $1 billion in fixed-price orders over four phases in two years, utilizing 10 U.S.C. 4022. Each phase involves a Gauntlet challenge, increasing drone purchases, decreasing per-unit prices (after Phase II), and reducing the number of vendors. The program seeks to establish multiple U.S. vendors capable of producing secure, low-cost sUAS at scale. Vendors bear development and manufacturing risks, receiving payment only for delivered and accepted units. The RFI anticipates inviting 25 vendors to a Phase I Gauntlet starting February 16, 2026, with participants selected based on responses to a Request for Solutions (RFS) expected December 17. The RFI asks industry about challenges in large-scale OWA drone production, pricing, manufacturing approaches, supply chain concerns, training sufficiency, and willingness to participate. Responses are due via a standardized online form, with more information available at drone-dominance.io.
    Lifecycle
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    Type
    Drone Dominance Program - Request for Information
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