Solicitation: National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR)
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA2553-26-R-B001
- Agency
-
Air Force
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Place of performance
- Colorado 80919, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Seneca Alvarado ssc.tik.nitestar@spaceforce.mil
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The United States Space Force Space System Command is seeking competitive proposals for the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) Capability Development Multiple Award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract to design, develop, integrate, test, and sustain advanced space-based and ground-based systems supporting the Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) and System Delta 81 (SYD 81). Key contract requirements include possession of a minimum TOP SECRET facility clearance with TS/SCI accreditation, CMMC Level 2 (Self) certification, and demonstrated cybersecurity compliance per NIST SP 800-37 and 800-53 standards; a SCIF accredited for classified work; and evidence of two Qualifying Relevant Projects demonstrating at least six months of continuous prime contractor performance within the past ten years on both space system development and ground system development. Evaluation will follow a gated technical approach assessing security compliance requirements and qualifying relevant projects on a pass/fail basis, with organizational conflict of interest mitigation plans and contractor responsibility determinations also required for award consideration. Offerors must submit questions by 1700 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on March 24, 2026, and proposals are due by 1200 MDT on April 17, 2026, submitted electronically via DoD SAFE.
This solicitation includes no small business set-aside. The contract incorporates various government support contractors including FFRDCs (The Aerospace Corporation, MITRE, MIT-LL, LLNL), UARCs (JHU/APL, Utah State University SDL, Georgia Tech GTRI), and A&AS contractors (Galapagos, SAIC, GDIT, ManTech, Tyto Athene, ENSCO, KBR, and Tecolote Research) who will support the government team. The total maximum dollar value across all awards is $981,000,000, shared among all awarded contractors rather than individually allocated. The base ordering period runs for five years from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, with one optional five-year extension through June 30, 2036, and potential task order performance extending one additional year beyond the optional period. All awardees will receive an initial $10,000 firm-fixed price task order for a Post Award Kickoff Conference. Performance will take place in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the National Space Test and Training Complex.
Notice text
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
NITE-STAR SOLICITATION NOTICE
UPDATE: 6 April 2026, please find attached Amendement 0001 to the subject RFP.
UPDATE: 3 April 2026, please find attached the questions and answers titled "FA255326RB001 Q and A 3 April 2026"
After the evaluation of the Questions and Answers the Government anticipates posting an amendment to the solicitation in the coming days.
The purpose of this announcement is to request competitive proposals from sources capable of meeting the needs of the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) Capability Development Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) requirement. This contract vehicle will be used to support the United States Space Force (USSF) Space System Command (SSC) Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) and SYD 81 by designing, developing, integrating, testing, and sustaining advanced space-based and ground-based systems.
Submission Instructions: All Offeror proposals must be submitted no later than 1200 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on 17 April 2026. Early submission is acceptable and encouraged. The entire proposal package must be submitted electronically via DoD SAFE to the PCO. Offerors must email SSC.TIK.NITESTAR@spaceforce.mil to request a DoD SAFE drop off link.
Offerors may submit questions regarding the solicitation on or before seven (7) calendar days after release of the RFP (1700 MDT, 24 March 2026). The Government will provide responses to questions to all Offerors, regardless of the source of the question.
All questions must be submitted using Attachment 11 – Question and Answer (Q&A) Template. Attachment 11 contains further instructions under the spreadsheet tab “Instructions.” All Offerors shall clearly identify each question with a reference to the solicitation. Questions shall be sent via email to the Contracting Team at SSC.TIK.NITESTAR@spaceforce.mil.
Pre-Proposal Conference: Pre-Proposal Conference slides and associated recording will be posted to SAM.gov no later than 20 March 2026.
Update #2 ·
NITE-STAR SOLICITATION NOTICE
UPDATE: 3 April 2026, please find attached the questions and answers titled "FA255326RB001 Q and A 3 April 2026"
After the evaluation of the Questions and Answers the Government anticipates posting an amendment to the solicitation in the coming days.
The purpose of this announcement is to request competitive proposals from sources capable of meeting the needs of the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) Capability Development Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) requirement. This contract vehicle will be used to support the United States Space Force (USSF) Space System Command (SSC) Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) and SYD 81 by designing, developing, integrating, testing, and sustaining advanced space-based and ground-based systems.
Submission Instructions: All Offeror proposals must be submitted no later than 1200 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on 17 April 2026. Early submission is acceptable and encouraged. The entire proposal package must be submitted electronically via DoD SAFE to the PCO. Offerors must email SSC.TIK.NITESTAR@spaceforce.mil to request a DoD SAFE drop off link.
Offerors may submit questions regarding the solicitation on or before seven (7) calendar days after release of the RFP (1700 MDT, 24 March 2026). The Government will provide responses to questions to all Offerors, regardless of the source of the question.
All questions must be submitted using Attachment 11 – Question and Answer (Q&A) Template. Attachment 11 contains further instructions under the spreadsheet tab “Instructions.” All Offerors shall clearly identify each question with a reference to the solicitation. Questions shall be sent via email to the Contracting Team at SSC.TIK.NITESTAR@spaceforce.mil.
Pre-Proposal Conference: Pre-Proposal Conference slides and associated recording will be posted to SAM.gov no later than 20 March 2026.
Update #1 ·
NITE-STAR SOLICITATION NOTICE
The purpose of this announcement is to request competitive proposals from sources capable of meeting the needs of the National Space Test and Training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) Capability Development Multiple Award (MA) Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) requirement. This contract vehicle will be used to support the United States Space Force (USSF) Space System Command (SSC) Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) and SYD 81 by designing, developing, integrating, testing, and sustaining advanced space-based and ground-based systems.
Submission Instructions: All Offeror proposals must be submitted no later than 1200 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) on 17 April 2026. Early submission is acceptable and encouraged. The entire proposal package must be submitted electronically via DoD SAFE to the PCO. Offerors must email SSC.TIK.NITESTAR@spaceforce.mil to request a DoD SAFE drop off link.
Offerors may submit questions regarding the solicitation on or before seven (7) calendar days after release of the RFP (1700 MDT, 24 March 2026). The Government will provide responses to questions to all Offerors, regardless of the source of the question.
All questions must be submitted using Attachment 11 – Question and Answer (Q&A) Template. Attachment 11 contains further instructions under the spreadsheet tab “Instructions.” All Offerors shall clearly identify each question with a reference to the solicitation. Questions shall be sent via email to the Contracting Team at SSC.TIK.NITESTAR@spaceforce.mil.
Pre-Proposal Conference: Pre-Proposal Conference slides and associated recording will be posted to SAM.gov no later than 20 March 2026.
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Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Solicitation | |
| PRESOLICITATION NOTICE: National Space Test and training Complex (NSTTC) Innovative Technology & Engineering – Space Test and Range (NITE-STAR) | Pre-Solicitation |
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