C4S Statement of Objectives Group 3

Statement of Objectives (SOO)
Marketplace: Group 3 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

30 July 2026

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) defines the high-level objectives for innovative, commercially available Group 3 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) to be onboarded to the UAS Marketplace. The purpose of this document is to outline the Government's overall objectives for the hardware, software, and lifecycle support services required. It is not a prescriptive SOO. To be eligible for consideration under this Commercial Solutions Opening Call for Solutions, offerors must propose solutions that are demonstrably innovative and commercially available. The Government's objective is to then acquire these solutions through the offeror's established commercial practices for delivery, training, and support.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The character and pace of modern warfare are being redefined by the rapid proliferation of UAS. To maintain a technological overmatch, the U.S. Army has established the UAS Marketplace. This strategic initiative marks a pivot from traditional acquisition to a dynamic, free-market concept designed to rapidly identify, assess, and field innovative commercial UAS. This SOO supports that goal by defining the objectives for complete, innovative commercially available solutions that can be procured to fill critical capability gaps.

3.0 SCOPE

This SOO applies to all innovative Group 3 UAS solutions sought under the companion Call for Solutions. Solutions must be capable of performing missions such as Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA), electronic warfare, communications relay, or strike to enhance the capabilities of Army units at the Brigade, Corps, and Division level. This SOO encompasses Group 3 UAS, which is defined by the Department of Defense as an aircraft that weighs between 55 pounds and 1,320 pounds (maximum gross takeoff weight), operates at altitudes up to 18,000 feet above mean sea level, and typically flies at speeds less than 250 knots.

4.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE

The Government's objective is to rely on the contractor's existing quality assurance system. The contractor shall be responsible for delivering products and services that meet its own established commercial quality standards. The Government reserves the right to review the contractor's quality system and processes to gain confidence in the proposed solution.

5.0 UAS MARKETPLACE ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

The contractor shall provide a single point of contact responsible for managing the UAS Marketplace effort and any Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) orders. The Government is not directing the contractor to provide a stand-alone project manager but rather identify the point of contact. This arrangement should be consistent with the support provided for customary commercial sales. The contractor may be asked to participate in a post-award conference and subsequent periodic program reviews (e.g., quarterly) with Government representatives to discuss schedule, performance, supply chain status, and other relevant topics.