Blackjack Satellite Integration

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks proposals to develop approaches for integrating multiple military payloads with commodity satellite buses to create a proliferated low Earth orbit constellation providing global persistent coverage under the Blackjack Satellite Integration program. Proposals are due by August 9, 2019 and must address satellite node integration from initial testing through assembly and launch, leveraging open architectures. Awards will be made to multiple performers with Phase 1 focusing on requirements and preliminary design. Evaluation will consider the proposed approach's military utility, risks, costs, and schedule.

There is no set-aside designation for this opportunity. Relevant NAICS codes include 336414 and 541715, with the primary PSC code being D308. Current contractors include nine payload and three bus developers who will deliver flight-ready units by 3QFY21. Phase 1 through 3 options could provide funding for integration design, hardware-in-loop testing, satellite delivery, and on-orbit demonstration through 2023. Offerors must submit detailed cost proposals using templates provided addressing labor categories, indirect rates, subcontractors, and expenses by the July 26th deadline.