Bluestar Low Amplifying Signal Transmission (BLAST)
The Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research awarded a $33,319,192 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to SRI International Inc for the Bluestar Low Amplifying Signal Transmission (BLAST) project. The contract, designated N0017325C0005 and awarded on April 30, 2025, involves research, development, experiments, maintenance, and systems engineering of the Naval Research Laboratory's specialized low-frequency, high-power Bluestar antenna facility located at Stanford University. This sole-source acquisition was justified because SRI International holds the exclusive lifetime lease agreement for the Stanford property housing the 150-foot Bluestar antenna and has been the facility's sole operator since 1961, possessing unique expertise in the antenna's analysis, design, calibration, and operation. The contract structure includes a base year and four one-year options, with the justification documentation indicating that relocating the antenna would cost approximately $40 million and may not be technically feasible.
N0017324RWR01 Department of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Office of Naval Research
6/11/25, 10:54 AM Bluestar Low Amplifying Signal Transmission (BLAST)
The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), operating under the Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research, has issued a Special Notice for the Bluestar Low Amplifying Signal Transmission (BLAST) program. This notice announces NRL's intent to award a sole source cost plus fixed fee contract to SRI International in Menlo Park, California, for research and development services related to a specialized antenna system. The contract encompasses a base year plus four one-year options for a total potential duration of five years. The work involves the 150-foot Bluestar antenna and associated hardware/software located at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. The acquisition is classified under NAICS code 541715 for research and development in physical and engineering sciences, with a size standard of 1,000 employees.
The purpose of this Special Notice is to advance radio frequency exploration research for space and airborne assets through continued development, experimentation, maintenance, and systems engineering of NRL's low-frequency, high-power Bluestar antenna system. While NRL intends to proceed with sole source procurement under statutory authority 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), the notice allows other responsible sources to express interest and demonstrate their capabilities by the February 9, 2024 deadline. Interested parties must provide clear and convincing evidence that future competition would benefit the government without being cost or time prohibitive or hindering the mission objective. No solicitation package will be issued, and the government reserves sole discretion in determining whether to pursue competitive procurement based on responses received. Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Ryan Wheelock at the Naval Research Laboratory via email with "Notice of Intent Submission - BLAST" in the subject line.
N0017324RWR01 Department of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Office of Naval Research
1/25/24, 11:18 AM Bluestar Low Amplifying Signal Transmission (BLAST)
The Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research awarded a sole-source contract (No. N0017325C0005) to SRI International Inc for the Bluestar Low Amplifying Signal Transmission (BLAST) project on April 30, 2025. The contract is structured as a cost-plus-fixed-fee agreement with a total value of $33,319,192.00, procured under 10 U.S.C. Section 2304(c)(1), which allows for direct award without competitive bidding. While specific details about the goods or services are not explicitly stated in the Award Notice, the contract was awarded directly to SRI International, suggesting a specialized or unique capability required by the Office of Naval Research.
N0017324RWR01 Department of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Office of Naval Research
4/30/25, 4:57 PM