Space Force launches $300M ground operations support recompete
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By
Ross Wilkers
A final solicitation is now live for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems contract, which Space Force set up as a way to protect satellites from inefficient coding or commands.
Space Force is now ready for industry to start working on and turning in bids for a potential seven-year, $300 million contract for ground operations and development work on experimental systems.
The single-award contract called Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems contract, or HADES, covers efforts related to prototyping and operations of satellite ground systems and satellite operations centers.
Proposals for HADES are due Sept. 17 and must be submitted through the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment, Space Force said in a Wednesday notice to release the final solicitation.
HADES’ primary location of performance is the Space Force Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Support Complex at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. This hub functions as Space Force’s main center for research-and-development and command-and-control functions for satellites.
In setting up HADES, Space Force is looking for an industry partner that can help integrate differences in coding between different prototype satellites made by different manufacturers.
Space Force’s main goal is to ensure it does not lose satellites because of coding or commands that are not efficient or in conflict with each other.
Science Applications International Corp. is the incumbent contractor. The company captured the current Engineering, Development, Integration and Sustainment contract in 2020 at a $655 million ceiling over seven years.
Space Force has obligated $260.7 million in order volume to-date against EDIS to represent roughly 40% of the ceiling, according to GovTribe data. EDIS is currently slated to expire in February 2027.