Delta 8 10 SOPS Matrix Switch Sources Sought

The Department of the Air Force Space Command, through the 50th Contracting Squadron at Schriever Space Force Base, is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of supplying Digital Matrix Switch components and spare parts in support of Delta 8/10 SOPS satellite operations. Specifically, the procurement seeks two Universal Switching Corporation S24530BX-664-D1 digital matrix switches and one SPK-S24530BFX-1 spare kit, all of which must be new equipment with no refurbished or used items accepted. The switches are programmable RS-232/530 5RU rack-mount units designed to interconnect eighteen RS-232/530 digital devices with enhanced touchscreen control, hot-swap redundant power supplies, and dual CPU modules supporting 10/100/1G Ethernet connectivity. This sources sought notice is intended to confirm whether alternative manufacturers exist with equal salient characteristics before the government proceeds with a sole-source award to Universal Switching Corporation, the original equipment manufacturer holding proprietary rights to the Digital Matrix Switch product. Interested vendors must submit responses to this pre-solicitation notice by April 6, 2026, addressing whether their company can supply compatible equipment capable of integrating with the existing Universal Switching Corporation system.

This procurement is issued with no set-aside designation and is anticipated to be awarded as a firm-fixed-price contract to Universal Switching Corporation based on the justification for other than full and open competition, citing 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) authority that only one responsible source exists for this specialized equipment. The specific quantities required include two matrix switch units and one spare kit containing nine components including interface modules, switch-stage modules, power supply modules, control modules, gender changers, a touchscreen display, and a chassis fan. Universal Switching Corporation is identified as the current and intended sole-source contractor given the prohibitive costs and mission risks associated with utilizing alternative manufacturers, which would necessitate substantial software development, hardware interface redesign, and acceptance testing. While no specific contract value is disclosed in this sources sought notice, the firm-fixed-price structure will ensure cost certainty once the Contracting Officer determines the price is fair and reasonable. This market research effort serves as a procedural requirement under Federal Acquisition Regulation guidelines before final contract award documentation is executed.