Exception to Fair Opportunity - Custom Aviation Services and Hardware (SBS005504)
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- SSCPA1997
- Agency
-
Air Force
Department of Defense
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- FA254125DB021-FA254126FB022 Federal contract award
- NAICS code
- 517410 Satellite Telecommunications
- Place of performance
- Hawthorne, California 90250, United States
- Points of contact
-
- COMSO Contracting (SSC/CMK) ssc.pleo.contractinggateway@spaceforce.mil
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Air Force's Space Systems Command intends to award a sole-source task order to SpaceX under the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) Multiple Award Contract for terminal and ancillary equipment and Starshield-based service plans supporting military operations across the Department of Navy.
The justification cites FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(B), sole source under a limited sources exception. SpaceX is determined the only capable source based on unique and highly specialized equipment developed under an Undefinitized Contract Action awarded April 25, 2024, involving substantial research, development, testing, and evaluation of the Starshield mini aperture design. The government asserts that replicating this capability through alternative sources would incur estimated cost duplication of double the original investment, create unacceptable delays of 1–2 years, and degrade mission readiness. Procured items include Operational Packaged PLEO Service with Starshield service plans, Operational Customer Specific PLEO Service with Starshield group service plans, and Starshield Aviation PLEO Terminals including Aeroterminal Tile Mini Antenna, Aeroterminal Tile Antenna, Aeroterminal Full Kit, and non-aviation terminals. The period of performance runs December 5, 2025, through December 4, 2026, with an optional period from December 5, 2026, through December 9, 2027. The Contracting Officer determined the anticipated cost to be fair and reasonable based on historical pricing, Independent Government Cost Estimate, and current market conditions, representing the lowest overall cost while maintaining mission continuity. Place of performance is not specified. Publication of this justification was delayed beyond the mandated 14-day post-award window due to the government shutdown and compliance with new Space Systems Command public affairs and operations security review processes.
Notice text
The procurement instrument issued was a commercial Task Order —Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)— award to SpaceX for terminal/ancillary equipment and service plans to fulfill Starshield-based mission requirements in support of military operations across the Department of Navy under the Space Systems Command (SSC) PLEO IDIQ contract.
Although the Commercial Space Office (CSCO) officially transitioned to SSC from the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) early in FY26, administrative constraints—specifically the government shutdown and compliance with new SSC Public Affairs and OPSEC review processes—prevented publication within the mandated 14-day post-award window.
Awarded contract FA254125DB021 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2025-12-19.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution A_SSCPA 1997_SBS005504 FOE Redacted.pdf |
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| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| CY28 FFP Services | Air Force | No set-aside |
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