NAVSTAR Global Positioning System

The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (NAVSTAR GPS) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) managed under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway. This Department of Defense program, designated with Acquisition Category IC, encompasses the development, procurement, and sustainment of GPS technology and infrastructure. The program appears focused on developing and maintaining military GPS capabilities, including specialized receivers, user equipment, and systems engineering support.

Contract awards under this program range from small purchase orders of a few thousand dollars to major development contracts exceeding $400 million. The largest contracts focus on GPS systems engineering and integration, launch and orbital support, and development of Miniaturized GPS User Equipment (MGUE). Key contractors include Raytheon Company, L3 Harris Interstate Electronics Corp, and various GPS technology providers such as Trimble. Many contracts support Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases for allied nations. While some contracts utilize small business and 8(a) set-asides, the majority have no set-aside designation. Contract types are predominantly firm-fixed-price, with some cost-plus-incentive arrangements for development work. The Space and Missile Systems Center appears to be the primary contracting authority, with contract periods typically ranging from several months for equipment purchases to multiple years for development and integration efforts.