NASA has a requirement for the space launch system universal stage adapter that will structurally connect the exploration upper stage to the orion spacecraft. SLS is being developed to provide heavy…

This federal contract award is for the production of the Space Launch System (SLS) Universal Stage Adapter (USA) by Dynetics, Inc., a mid-tier defense and aerospace company. The USA structurally connects the Exploration Upper Stage to the Orion spacecraft for the SLS program, which is being developed by NASA to provide heavy lift launch and in-space propulsion capability to enable exploration and extension of human presence throughout the solar system.

The contract consists of a base period for the design, development, test, evaluation, production, and delivery of a USA for the Exploration Mission 2 (EM-2) flight test, as well as post-delivery vehicle integration and support. It also includes six separate option periods for the production and delivery of USAs for EM-3 through EM-8. The contract has a total ceiling value of $13,752,000 and is a firm-fixed-price delivery order awarded by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. The contract does not have a set-aside designation.

NASA has a requirement for the space launch system universal stage adapter that will structurally connect the exploration upper stage to the orion spacecraft. SLS is being developed to provide heavy lift launch and in space propulsion capability to enable both exploration and extension of human presence throughout the solar system. The USA meets that need, and also provides the capability to encapsulate large CO manifested and secondary payloads. SLS will meet these objectives through an evolutionary block upgrade strategy. The block 1 SLS configuration is being developed to launch the exploration mission 1 flight test, while the block 1B configuration is being developed to launch the crewed EM 2 flight test and future crewed and cargo missions. The purpose of the USA contract is for the prime contractor to produce the USA structure for the SLS program. The contract will be comprised of one base period and six separate option periods. During the base period, the contractor will design, develop, test, evaluate, produce, and deliver a USA for EM 2, as well as provide post delivery vehicle integration and support. During the contracts six separate option periods, the contractor will produce and deliver the usas for EM 3 through EM 8. For both the base and option periods, the contract provides that NASA may request that the contractor perform indefinite delivery indefinite quantity tasks whereby studies, analyses, and or integration support may be ordered.