Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS)

The Hosted Payload Solutions (HoPS) Master Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, awarded by the Air Force Space Command's Developmental Planning Directorate, provides a mechanism for hosting government payloads on commercial spacecraft to meet specific mission objectives. The contract enables government organizations, primarily NASA and the Department of the Air Force, to leverage commercial satellite platforms for scientific research, earth observation, and environmental monitoring. Through this vehicle, contractors can develop and integrate specialized scientific instruments and monitoring equipment onto existing commercial satellite infrastructure.

The most significant task orders under this IDIQ include a $79.5 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to Maxar Space LLC for NASA's Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution payload and a $42.4 million order to General Atomics supporting the Argos mission for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These task orders consistently demonstrate values ranging from $40,000 to $80 million, with performance periods spanning 1-5 years. No set-aside designations were used in the awarded task orders, indicating open competition. The contracts typically involve performance in locations such as Palo Alto, California, and include multiple subcontractors providing specialized engineering, electronic, and satellite services. Key contractors include Maxar Technologies, General Atomics, NTS Technical Systems, Surrey Satellite Technology, and Rocket Lab, showcasing a diverse ecosystem of space and satellite technology providers.