Space Force Launches $981M Bid for Test and Training Infrastructure
Space Force has issued the final solicitation for the NITE STAR program valued at $981 million. Proposals are due April 17, and award decisions are expected by July 1.
Contract structure and objectives
The contract has a five-year base period and a single five-year option. It is a multiple-award vehicle designed to support test and training infrastructure.
The work covers physical ranges, satellites, ground systems and digital environments. Hardware development and delivery form the most intensive element.
Scope of technical work
Contractors will design, build and deliver satellites and spacecraft payloads. They will also construct ground stations, sensors, telescopes and command-and-control systems.
Teams must produce digital twins of space and ground systems for testing and validation. Other contract areas include sustainment, enterprise enhancements and special studies.
Standards and engineering approaches
The solicitation calls for model-based systems engineering and DevSecOps. It also requires modular open systems architectures and continuous authority-to-operate approaches.
Known collaborators and incumbent support
The statement of work lists several federally funded R&D organizations. These include Aerospace, Mitre and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
- Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC)
- General Dynamics IT
- ManTech International
Winning bidders will be expected to coordinate with these organizations during task execution.
Eligibility, gates and evaluation criteria
Bidders must clear an initial security gate to be evaluated. They need a Top-Secret facility clearance and compliance with NIST’s Risk Management Framework.
After that, offerors must hold CMMC Level 2 certification. They must submit two qualifying projects performed as prime contractors: one space system, one ground system.
The final evaluation step checks documentation completeness. Mitigation plans for any organizational conflicts of interest are required.
Awards, pricing and competition dynamics
Space Force intends to award to all qualifying bidders rather than limit the count. On-ramps will allow additional entrants during the contract period.
Proposals do not require pricing. Task orders will set prices and create the primary competition among awardees.
The service also plans to employ artificial intelligence tools to assist proposal evaluation.
Filmogaz.com will continue to monitor developments related to this $981M bid and the broader test and training infrastructure effort. Space Force applicants should review the solicitation carefully before the April 17 deadline.
