National Security Space Launch

The National Security Space Launch (NSSL) is a Major Defense Acquisition Program managed by the Department of Defense that provides space launch services for critical national security payloads. Operating under the Major Capability Acquisition pathway with an Acquisition Category of IC, the program ensures reliable access to space for Department of Defense and intelligence community satellites and spacecraft. The program represents a critical component of the nation's space infrastructure, facilitating the deployment of various military and intelligence assets into orbit.

Contract awards under NSSL range from small purchase orders of a few thousand dollars to major launch service contracts exceeding $1 billion, with typical performance periods spanning 2-5 years. Primary contractors include United Launch Services (a subsidiary of United Launch Alliance), Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), and ManTech SRS Technologies. Notable contract types include firm-fixed-price launch service delivery orders and cost-plus-fixed-fee systems engineering and integration support contracts. The Space and Missile Systems Center, now part of the U.S. Space Force, serves as the primary contracting authority. While most contracts have no set-aside designation, there are occasional small business and 8(a) awards for supporting services. Primary places of performance include Colorado (United Launch Services), California (SpaceX), and Virginia (ManTech). Major subcontractors frequently include Aerojet Rocketdyne for propulsion systems and various engineering services firms providing technical support.