USAF releases RFPs for next Launch Service Procurement contract
NewsMay 06, 2019
LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. The Space and Missile Systems Center, in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office, released a request for proposals (RFPs) to award two firm fixed-price, indefinite-delivery requirements contracts to domestic launch service providers.
These Phase 2 “Launch Service Procurement” contracts are for National Security Space launch service procurements in fiscal year 2020 through 2024 for missions launching through 2027.
“This strategy harnesses the commercial launch industry to meet the more demanding National Security Space Launch needs” said Dr. William Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. With the Congressional mandate to transition away from reliance on non-allied rocket propulsion systems and the planned Delta IV retirement, the Space and Missile Systems Center developed an acquisition strategy to meet National Security Space launch requirements for the future.
This solicitation strategy is a full and open competition allowing companies to compete for procurement contracts regardless of whether they have a current Launch Service Agreement development contract.
Last year, the Space and Missile Systems Center awarded three developmental Launch Service Agreements to Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, and United Launch Alliance to ensure their respective launch systems -- New Glenn, OmegA, and Vulcan -- are able to meet the more stressing National Security Space requirements. In addition, the Air Force also competitively awarded nine launch services to SpaceX using their Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles over the last two years and SpaceX successfully launched the first of those nine missions on December 23, 2018.
