Starshield Custom Fleet Aviation Services
Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted
- Solicitation number
- SSCPA2117
- Agency
-
Air Force
Department of Defense
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Contract number
- FA254125DB021-FA254126FB081
- NAICS code
- 517410 Satellite Telecommunications
- Place of performance
- Hawthorne, California, 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 has awarded a sole-source task order to SpaceX under an Exception to Fair Opportunity for Starshield Custom Fleet Aviation Services on a firm-fixed-price basis, under the PLEO Commercial Satellite Communications Multiple Award Contract vehicle. The award was made on July 28, 2026 (task order FA254125DB021); the award amount was not disclosed in this posting.
The justification invokes RFO 6.507-6(b)(2) and RFO 6.103-1(c)(2), asserting SpaceX is the only responsible source because the Starshield Tile and Tile Mini aviation-compatible terminals are unique and highly specialized supplies for which no alternative exists. Substantial duplication of costs ($51.9 million in historical development investment plus approximately $72 million in replacement hardware costs) and unacceptable operational delays would result from transitioning to an alternate provider. Market research indicates OneWeb-compatible aviation terminals cannot satisfy military requirements. Transition to an alternative source would require 2.5 to 3 years, during which aircraft would be unable to execute assigned missions. Eleven participating organizations jointly funded development of the Tile Mini capability during 2024–2025.
The requirement covers Starshield satellite subscription services providing full-band worldwide coverage at maximum data rates of at least 500 Mbps downlink and 100 Mbps uplink, plus intellectual property including system architecture updates, product and feature roadmaps, online account management tool training, and service availability reports. The period of performance runs from July 31, 2026 through July 30, 2028, funded from operation and maintenance appropriations. Administrative oversight is located at Space Systems Command/CMK, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201. The Government acquires specified IP rights under DFARS 252.227-7015(c)(1) and (c)(2).
Notice text
The Government requires subscription services to use the SpaceX Starshield (Starlink) commercial
network with their existing Starshield Tile and Tile Mini aviation-compatible terminals currently installed in their aircraft. Those terminals permit aircraft to transmit/receive information to/from the Starshield (Starlink) satellite constellation.
This action was approved under an Exception to Fair Opportunity to award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) task order to SpaceX. Due to internal security and policy reviews, publication of this Exception to Fair Opportunity was required to be deferred briefly until those reviews could be completed.
Awarded contract FA254125DB021 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2026-07-28.
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