4 more providers join $900M satellite services contract
Gettyimages.com / Eoneren
By
Ross Wilkers
Space Force uses the vehicle to acquire satellite capabilities from a base of global, commercial network providers.
Four more companies have received positions on a potential 10-year, $900 million contract vehicle for satellite-based services and capabilities to Space Force and other government entities.
AT&T, Honeywell's aerospace segment, Iridium Communications and Lynk Global will join the group of awardees that will vie for orders to provide satellite communication services in low-Earth orbit.
The Defense Information Systems Agency originally chose 16 companies in July for the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit Satellite-Based Services contract, while DISA's Thursday announcement of new awards grows the roster of participants to 20.
DISA is managing this contract on behalf of Space Force, which is using the vehicle to acquire capabilities that are fully-managed by predominantly commercial network providers for use in all military domains.
Other U.S. government agencies and their international coalition partners can make purchases through the contract as well.
PLEO SBS has a five-year base period and a five-year option. DISA received 25 bids for the vehicle.