# 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. Published 2026-11-05 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/05/tobyhanna-army-depot-seeks-direct-suppliers-for-small-drone/ 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 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.[2] It also lists two models of 21700 lithium-ion cells.[2] 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.[2] 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] ## Why it matters The depot wants direct suppliers to address both production capacity and inventory buffers.[2] 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] ## Sources 1. SAM.gov API record 2. Attached RFI, High Volume Battery Line