Sell to the military: the DoW Drone Marketplace
The Department of War runs its own online Drone Marketplace at drones.mil. Military units, other government agencies and allied countries use it to browse, compare and buy vetted drones and unmanned systems for air, sea and ground, along with counter-drone systems. This guide walks through the steps companies take to get there and shows how Autonomy Runway helps with each one.
Autonomy Runway is an independent company. It is not part of the Department of War and is not endorsed by it. Rules and programs change, so confirm each step on the official sites. Last checked: October 11, 2026.
Register with the government
Every company that sells to the U.S. government registers in SAM.gov, the federal registration system. Registration is free. U.S. companies receive a CAGE code through that registration, and the Consortium application in Step 6 asks for your CAGE code if you have one.
Official link: SAM.gov
Read more: SAM.gov registration
How Autonomy Runway helps: Keep your registration details, codes and contacts in one place in your company file.
Check your system against the NDAA rules
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) limits drone parts and software that come from certain foreign countries, including China. Before you apply, list the flight controller, radios and data links, cameras, gimbals, ground control system and operating software in your system, and where each one was made.
How Autonomy Runway helps: Build a product spec sheet that lists each part and where it comes from, so assessors and buyers can see it at a glance.
Prepare for the Army inspection
When a company is brought onto the Drone Marketplace, Army assessors take the system apart and run cyber inspections to confirm it meets the NDAA rules. The inspection report can also support the company's own application to the DCMA Blue List.
How Autonomy Runway helps: Run your spec sheets and supporting documents through Document Check to find gaps before the assessors do.
Get on the Blue List
The DCMA Blue List is the Department's list of reviewed drones and drone parts. Being on it makes your system easier for units and agencies to buy.
How Autonomy Runway helps: Add your Blue List status to the compliance section of your profile so buyers see it.
Answer the Army's open call
The Army runs an open call for drone technology for the Marketplace, called a Commercial Solutions Opening. It stays open until it is canceled. Each Call for Solutions lists its own topics, deadlines and how to submit, usually a short white paper. Read the current call on the official solicitations page before you write anything.
Official link: Drone Marketplace solicitations
How Autonomy Runway helps: Prepare your capability statement and white paper, then run them through Document Check before you submit. New calls also appear on the Autonomy Runway Board as government opportunities.
Join the DoW Drone OTA Consortium
The Consortium is the Department of War's group of companies and research organizations that compete for drone prototype projects under Other Transaction Authority (OTA), a faster way to award projects than standard federal contracts. Joining takes three steps: apply online with your capabilities, your CAGE code if you have one, and your contacts; pass a security and eligibility review; then use the secure portal to see solicitations and submit prototype proposals.
Startups, small businesses and other companies outside the traditional defense base can join, as can universities and research organizations. Large defense contractors can join too, but on each project they must team with a non-traditional company or pay at least one third of the cost. Projects pay a fixed price tied to milestones, and a prototype that succeeds has a built-in path to a follow-on production contract without a new competition.
The Consortium covers six areas: unmanned and autonomous systems; AI for surveillance and targeting; secure communications and data links; counter-drone systems; onboard payloads such as cameras and sensors; and field and 3D-printed manufacturing.
Official link: DoW Drone OTA Consortium membership
Questions about eligibility go to the Consortium at DMConsortium@army.mil.
How Autonomy Runway helps: Large defense contractors need non-traditional teammates for Consortium projects, and smaller companies need partners to deliver. Find teammates on Autonomy Runway and mark "Looking for a teammate" on government opportunities.
Selling through a large defense contractor? Read Sell to prime contractors.
Know the other government drone stores
Counter-drone marketplace. Joint Interagency Task Force 401 runs a separate marketplace for counter-drone systems at cuas.mil. Vendors pass business checks, product reviews and export-control checks before they can list, and only approved buyers can see it.
Official link: cuas.mil
DLA Drone Corridor Marketplace. The Defense Logistics Agency runs an online store on FedMall where government customers buy approved drones, counter-drone systems, accessories and related services.
Companies from outside the U.S.
The Drone Marketplace buys for the U.S. military and its allies, and the NDAA rules apply to parts and software. Many foreign companies start by building with a U.S. production partner. Autonomy Runway matches foreign drone and robotics technology with U.S. production, capital and buyers.
Not ready for the military market yet?
Most drone companies start with commercial buyers, partners and financing. Autonomy Runway connects drone and robotics companies with buyers in every industry, with production partners, and with lenders and investors.