WASHINGTON — The Protection Info Programs Company on Nov. 22 revealed a request for proposals for low Earth orbit satellite-based providers.
As much as $900 million price of activity orders will likely be awarded over the subsequent 5 years below an indefinite supply/indefinite amount (IDIQ) contract. Proposals are due Might 31, 2024.
The Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) Satellite tv for pc-Based mostly Providers contract, first introduced in July, is run by the Protection Info Programs Company (DISA) on behalf of the House Pressure’s Industrial Satellite tv for pc Communications Workplace (CSCO), a central market for satellite tv for pc providers operated by the House Programs Command.
4 new distributors added
Initially solely 16 distributors had been chosen to compete for activity folders below the IDIQ contract: ARINC, Artel, Capella Federal, BlackSky, SES, Hughes, Viasat, KGS, Intelsat Basic, OneWeb, PAR Authorities, RiteNet Company, Satcom Direct Authorities, SpaceX, Hint Programs and UltiSat. Since then, 4 extra — AT&T, Honeywell Aerospace, Iridium and Lynk World — have been added to the roster.
The PLEO contract “helps the Division of Protection’s requirement to supply worldwide, low-latency PLEO providers,” mentioned DISA. The IDIQ contracting technique permits the Division of Protection, different federal businesses and worldwide allies “to obtain absolutely managed satellite-based providers and capabilities for all domains (area, air, land, maritime and cyber) with a constant, quality-backed, low-latency providing.”
A $70 million activity order was awarded to SpaceX in September for Starlink communications providers.
Extra activity orders will likely be awarded for a variety of providers, mentioned the House Programs Command, together with high-speed broadband, artificial aperture radar imaging, area area consciousness; and different positioning, navigation and timing.
The IDIQ is a “a number of companion/a number of award” contract mannequin that encourages distributors to staff up. “This method guarantees to ship capabilities to the warfighter sooner and at decrease value in comparison with conventional ‘one contract per mission’ companion/activity order,” the command mentioned.
