WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force on July 13 released a revised draft solicitation for the subsequent round of national security launch contracts, often called National Security Space Launch Phase 3.
In a significant departure from the primary draft request for proposals released in February, the Space Force is increasing the variety of heavy-lift launch providers it plans to pick out from two to 3.
NSSL Phase 3 is a multibillion-dollar procurement of launch services projected for 2025 through 2029. United Launch Alliance and SpaceX won NSSL Phase 2 in 2020, and their current contracts can be recompeted.
The Space Systems Command is looking for additional industry feedback prior to releasing the ultimate RFPs later this yr. Comments are due July 28.
The revised draft RFP retains the two-lane contracting approach announced in the primary draft. Lane 1 would cater to smaller launchers and can be open to any provider that has a proven flight record. However the Space Force is changing its strategy for Lane 2, the portion of NSSL that requires heavy-lift launchers that may fly payloads to nine “reference orbits,” which include a few of the most demanding missions.
The Space Force initially planned to award five-year Lane 2 contracts to simply two providers, an approach modeled after the Phase 2 agreements with ULA and SpaceX.
The choice so as to add a 3rd provider was made “based on industry feedback and the necessity to increase resiliency within the face of the pacing challenge from countries like China,” Col. Douglas Pentecost, deputy program executive officer for assured access to space, said July 14 in a news release.
“We refined our technique to fortify assured access to space by ensuring that the federal government has three launch providers able to meeting all NSSL requirements by the top of Phase 3,” Pentecost said.
The Space Force by adding a 3rd provider is trying to increase “launch capability, enable supply chain stability, increase resiliency through alternate launch sites and enhance affordability for essentially the most stressing national security space missions,” he added.
Lane 2 payloads demand higher performance launch systems, and have complex security and integration requirements, Pentecost said.
The winners of Lane 2 submit fixed-price bids for launch services but are also eligible for “launch service support” funding, a subsidy to cover rocket development or infrastructure expenses unique to NSSL.
Senate bill recommends a 3rd provider
The Senate Armed Services Committee in its version of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act directs the Space Force so as to add a 3rd provider in Lane 2 of NSSL Phase 3. The House version of the NDAA doesn’t include this provision.
The committee “establishes an extra lane (Lane 2A) two years into Phase 3 of the National Security Space Launch acquisition program to permit for greater competition throughout the field,” said the bill.
The SASC language reflects concerns from recent entrant corporations like Blue Origin that plan to introduce recent rockets throughout the projected timeframe for Phase 3.
Space Force and Air Force officials prior to now pushed back on these proposals and insisted that only two providers were needed.
Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, in a July 14 statement explained the pondering behind the revised strategy.
“We must proceed to outpace our adversaries and maintain the technological advantage we get as a nation by making our space architecture more resilient so it could possibly be counted on during times of crisis and conflict,” he said. “That is the essence behind the NSSL Phase 3 acquisition strategy.”
The ultimate RFP is scheduled to be released within the fourth quarter of fiscal yr 2023. Lane 1 awards are expected within the third quarter of fiscal yr 2024, and Lane 2 awards within the fourth quarter.