Spray Drone

Background
The North Dakota State University (NDSU) is issuing this Invitation for Bid (IFB) for the procurement of an Ag Spray Drone.
The goal of this contract is to acquire a drone that meets specific operational requirements for agricultural spraying, enhancing research capabilities at the Carrington Research Extension Center.

Work Details
The contractor is required to provide an Ag Spray Drone with the following specifications:
- Operating dimensions of approximately 81" x 81"
- Storage dimensions of less than 46" x 46" x 36"
- A swath width of approximately 35'
- A spray tank capacity of 8 gallons
- An application rate of approximately 2.6 gallons per minute with a rate of 1 GPA.

The drone must be battery-powered, equipped with a full set of batteries and backup batteries along with chargers. It should include Li-Po high-capacity batteries, an RTK guidance system (including base station and receiver), a first-person-view camera, obstacle avoidance features, lifetime access to ground control software, manual control options, and FAA regulatory consulting, training, and documentation.

The drone must also come with a minimum one-year warranty and comply with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 (American Drone Security Act of 2023).

Period of Performance
The contract period will commence on May 16, 2025.

Place of Performance
Delivery will be made to Carrington Research Extension Center located at 663 Highway 281 North, Carrington, ND 58421.

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must comply with North Dakota Secretary of State registration requirements prior to contract award.
Additionally, bidders are required to maintain all necessary licenses and permits during the contract term.
Bidders must also provide proof of insurance coverage as specified in the solicitation.