Caveats and method
- How we researched it Public sources only: SAM.gov notices, agency and service websites, the Federal Register, eCFR, contract announcements, budget documents and Congressional Research Service reports, checked in Oct 2026. No contacts were invented; every mailbox comes from the notice itself.
- Source hierarchy Government sources first. Claims that only a company makes are marked "per the company." Claims that only the press reports are marked "press reports." Secondary analysis is marked in the source list.
- Open opportunities The opportunity snapshot lives in the companion spreadsheet, not in these chapters. It came from the SAM.gov public extract and was not built from notice attachments, so treat its summaries as provisional.
- Data as of Oct 2026 Budgets, rules, offices and leaders change. FY27 money is requested, not enacted. Recheck any figure before you rely on it.
- Known gaps Not deeply researched: National Guard and state-funded drone buys beyond FEMA grants, the detailed Blue cyber checklist, and the Navy's current drone calls.
- Not legal advice This playbook summarizes public rules and programs. Confirm compliance, export, eligibility and contact-rule questions with counsel or the agency.
What this means for you
Treat every number here as a starting point. The notice, the contract and the agency's current page always win.
Next step: Before you act on a fact, open its source and check the date.