Contracts · Industrial base
Tobyhanna Army Depot seeks direct suppliers for small-drone battery pack parts
The depot wants to move from spot-buys and brokers to direct relationships with original manufacturers and authorized Tier-1 suppliers as it ramps up operations.
Tobyhanna Army Depot is seeking suppliers of cells, electrical interconnects and insulation for small-drone battery pack assembly lines through an Army Contracting Command sources-sought notice posted Nov. 4, 2026.1–2
The depot says its focus is moving away from spot-buys
Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD)
its focus is moving away from spot-buys and broker networks toward direct partnerships with original manufacturers and authorized Tier-1 suppliers
Respondents are asked for lead times, minimum order quantities, buffer inventory/safety stock policies and maximum monthly throughput
small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) battery pack assembly lines
This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever.
Source: Army Contracting Command, SAM.gov notice and attached Request for Information. As of Nov. 5, 2026.
The depot says it is ramping up production, assembly and depot-level maintenance operations while shifting its sourcing focus from spot-buys and broker networks toward direct partnerships with original manufacturers and authorized Tier-1 suppliers.2
The request for information (RFI) lists seven parts, including fish paper insulation, nickel tabs and cable assemblies. It also lists two models of 21700 lithium-ion cells. Each cell model carries a baseline quantity of 180,012, but the document does not specify the quantities’ unit or period.2
The RFI bars materials, chemical elements, cell-level components, metals and cable assemblies sourced, refined or manufactured in China, Russia, Iran or North Korea, citing 10 U.S.C. 4872. It also requires delivered metallic components, including nickel sheet and tab material, to meet what it describes as Berry Amendment specialty metals requirements.2
Responses are due Nov. 11, 2026, but the documents give conflicting times.1–2 The SAM.gov listing specifies 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, while the attached RFI specifies noon Eastern Daylight Time.1–2
The depot wants direct suppliers to address both production capacity and inventory buffers. It asks for maximum monthly throughput for similar components, lead times, minimum order quantities and safety stock policies.2 The search remains market research, with no commitment to buy or promise of a future request for proposals.1–2