COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. Space Force has established a $981 million multiple-award indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract framework to accelerate development of advanced test and training capabilities supporting future space operations.
The Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Infrastructure awarded the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering - Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) Capability Development MA IDIQ to 15 companies. The contract includes two five-year ordering periods and provides the Space Force with an acquisition pathway for future capability development supporting space test and training requirements.
Space Systems Command (SSC) System Delta 81 (SYD 81) established the NITE-STAR IDIQ to create a contractor pool capable of supporting evolving operational test and training needs across the Operational Test and Tracking Infrastructure (OTTI) enterprise.
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NITE-STAR
Unlike a traditional contract award for a specific system, the NITE-STAR IDIQ provides a framework through which the Space Force can issue future task orders for technology development, engineering, and integration efforts as requirements mature.
"This effort sets the foundation for rapidly advancing and integrating the test and training tools needed to effectively train Space Force Guardians," said Space Force Col. Craig Hackbarth, SSC SYD 81 Operational Test and Tracking Infrastructure system program director. "As a centralized IDIQ, the NITE-STAR Capability Development will be available to the entire OTTI enterprise, accelerating the development of test and training capabilities across the architecture."
The IDIQ structure is designed to provide a flexible acquisition approach that allows the Space Force to compete future requirements among qualified contractors. This approach is intended to help accelerate development and integration of emerging technologies supporting space test and training activities.
Space test infrastructure represents an increasingly important component of military space development. As spacecraft, ground systems, and mission architectures become more complex, realistic testing and training environments are required to evaluate performance, interoperability, and operational readiness before deployment.
The 15 companies selected for the NITE-STAR Capability Development IDIQ are Amentum Technology Inc.; BAE Systems Inc.; CACI Inc.; Firefly Aerospace; L3Harris Technologies Inc.; Lockheed Martin Space; Northrop Grumman Systems Corp.; Pacific Crest Alliance; Parsons Government Services Inc.; Redwire Space Missions LLC; Rocket Lab USA Inc.; Sierra Space Corp.; The Boeing Co.; Viasat Inc.; and York Space Systems.
