Exception to Fair Opportunity - Critical Factors Analysis (CFA) Study (SBS005503)
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- SSCPA2097
- Agency
-
Air Force
Department of Defense
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- FA254125DB018-FA254126FB096
- NAICS code
- 517410 Satellite Telecommunications
- Place of performance
- McLean, Virginia 22102, United States
- Points of contact
-
- COMSO Contracting (SSC/CMK) ssc.pleo.contractinggateway@spaceforce.mil
- Nicole Rondeau nicole.rondeau@spaceforce.mil
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Air Force awarded a sole-source task order to Iridium Satellite LLC for Critical Factors Analysis studies addressing the Iridium PLEO Constellation and generalized Low Earth Orbit constellations on August 4, 2026, under FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B).
The justification asserts that Iridium is the only responsible source capable of providing the required services because its NEXT constellation possesses unique and highly specialized capabilities unavailable from competing providers. Market research determined that Iridium NEXT is the sole PLEO constellation with inter-satellite links, robust global coverage across six polar orbital planes with 66 active satellites, the longest operational history, and critical secondary payloads necessary to analyze routing resilience, signal susceptibility, and network security. Competing constellations lack inter-satellite link capabilities, sufficient global coverage, user data transport capability, or operational maturity sufficient for the analysis. An RFI issued May 8, 2026 to four PLEO contractors yielded only one response, from Iridium, by the May 15, 2026 deadline.
The task order is a firm-fixed-price award under the multi-award Proliferated Low Earth Orbit contract managed by the Commercial Satellite Communications Office. Deliverables include technical data, meeting minutes, briefing materials, and contract administration information, with the Government acquiring Unlimited Rights to technical data and a special license for contract administration information under DFARS 252.227-7013. The contracting activity is SSC/CMK located in Chantilly, Virginia. Publication delay resulted from the Commercial Space Office's transition from DISA to SSC and vetting through revised public affairs and OPSEC review processes.
Notice text
The procurement instrument was a commercial Task order - Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) - award to Iridium Satellite LLC for a series of Critical Factors Analysis (CFA) studies addressing the Iridium PLEO Constellation and its Services, and generalized PLEO Constellations and Services.
The Commercial Space Office (CSO) officially transitioned to SSC from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) in FY26; vetting through the new SSC Public Affairs and OPSEC review processes delayed publication within the mandated 14-day post-award window.
Awarded contract FA254125DB018 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-08-04.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PA-2097 SBS005503 (SSDP CFA Study) COCO _Redacted V3 JA reviewed PA Concurred.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity