Make = Central UAS Technologies (formerly Leading Edge Aerial Technologies)...

Location:	Mississippi
Posted:	Jun 5, 2026
Due:	Jun 18, 2026
Agency:	Mississippi State University
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	15 - Aircraft and Airframe Structural Components A - Research and development
Solicitation No:	SSN 256-102
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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Mississippi State University

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

256-102

Mississippi State University anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a

sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the

procedures outlined below.

1. Commodity or commodities to be purchased (make, model, description):

Make = Central UAS Technologies (formerly Leading Edge Aerial Technologies)

Model = PrecisionVison-100X (PV-100X)

Unmanned/Uncrewed Aerial Application System (UAAS, i.e., “spray drone”)

2. Explanation of the need to be fulfilled by this item(s), how is it unique from all other

options, and why it is the only one that can meet the specific needs of the department:

Need = for use in ongoing sponsored research project with MS Soybean Promotion Board

Unique = U.S.-manufactured UAAS platform which is the latest generation product model from

this specific manufacturer which has been studied iteratively through consecutive sponsored

research awards for over 3 years.

Only One meeting specific needs of the department = This research has been exclusively

focused on evaluation of U.S.-manufactured UAAS platforms for over 3 years. Originally,

research began with the PV-22 already in use at MSU. Subsequent research continued with the

PV-40X in 2024, which required a sole source justification as the latest platform from this

manufacturer at that time. MS Soybean Promotion Board has now awarded a new sponsored

research project in 2026 which again seeks to specifically evaluate the latest generation

platform available from this U.S. manufacturer – the PV-100X platform. This new PV-100X

platform now requires a new sole-source justification in 2026, just as the previous PV-40X

platform did in 2024. Collectively, the newest sponsored research project from MS Soybean

Promotion Board allows MSU researchers to study and evaluate operational and agronomic

performance of this U.S. manufactured UAAS product line over the last 3 product generations

(PV-22, PV-40X, and now PV-100X).

3. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible

source that can provide the required item(s):

Central UAS Technologies (formerly Leading Edge Aerial Technologies prior to company

acquisition by Central Life Sciences in November 2024). Central UAS Technologies is the only

possible source that can provide the required items because Central UAS Technologies is the

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of this equipment item. There are no other

manufacturers who offer this equipment item.

4. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is

considered reasonable:

Estimated cost of the PV-100X is $46,860.50. This amount is considered reasonable in

comparison to similarly priced foreign-manufactured UAAS/spray drone platforms which are

becoming increasingly restricted in the U.S. due to national security issues – hence the research

project focus on U.S.-manufactured UAAS. Additionally this amount is considered reasonable in

comparison to competing U.S. manufacturers, although U.S. competitor platforms are designed

differently (i.e., under-rotor nozzles/atomizers) in comparison to the traditional fixed-boom and

hydraulic nozzle design of the PV-100X (and previous PV-40X and PV-22 platforms), which is a

key consideration of the research project and primary basis of the sole source justification for

the PV-100X.

5. Explanation of the efforts taken by the department to determine this is the only source

and the efforts used to obtain the best possible price:

Extensive market analysis of currently available, commercial off-the-shelf UAAS platforms from

both U.S. and foreign manufacturers. Foreign UAAS manufacturers are now heavily restricted

from purchase/operations by Federal government entities and other entities receiving federal

funding. U.S.-manufactured UAAS platforms are the focus of this research project, and at

present the Central UAS Technologies PV-100X is the only U.S.-manufactured, commercial off-

the-shelf, readily available UAAS platform which comes with a traditional fixed-boom, hydraulic

nozzle design which is of the most interest to the research sponsor. When compared to other

U.S.-manufactured platforms, the PV-100X is of comparable price for comparable capabilities

(i.e., flight time, payload capacity, acres treated per hour/day, etc.) and with the specific design

(fixed-boom, hydraulic nozzles) that is of the most interest to the research sponsor. Lastly, the

PV-100X is the latest generation product of the same product line which has been researched

under sponsored projects awarded by this sponsor for over the last 3 years. Therefore, the

specific PV-100X platform and it’s corresponding price are both reasonable and justified for sole

source procurement in support of the ongoing sponsored research project and associated

activities.

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the commodity listed is not sole source and

can be provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice to:

Jennifer Mayfield, CPPO

Director of Procurement Services, Chief Procurement Officer

jmayfield@procurement.msstate.edu

Subject Line must read “Sole Source Objection”

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the commodity is not a sole source

procurement. Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, MSU determines that the commodity

in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then MSU will

withdraw the sole source request publication from the procurement portal website and submit

the procurement of the commodity to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If MSU determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity,

then MSU will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. MSU will have the burden of

proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

Make = Central UAS Technologies (formerly Leading Edge Aerial Technologies) Model = PrecisionVison-100X (PV-100X) Unmanned/Uncrewed Aerial Application System (UAAS, i.e., "spray drone").

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See also