18 -- Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles (EELV) Launch Capability & Launch Services

The United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Program office, is contemplating issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Boeing Launch Services and Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, Inc., for Launch Capability contracts in support of the EELV Program as well as an RFP to each respective contractor for Launch Services. The Launch Capability contracts will support current program requirements as a result of EELV Buy 1 and Buy 2. In addition, the Launch Capability contracts will support launches from the proposed EELV Buy 3 manifest. The new Launch Capability contracts, when negotiated, will be cost type, award fee, FAR Part 15 Contracts. The Launch Capability contracts shall provide, but are not limited to, the following: Launch and Range Operations for both Vandenberg AFB and Cape Canaveral AFS, Mission Integration, Mission Unique Development and Integration, Systems Engineering and Program Management, Subcontract Support, Factory Support Engineering, and Special Studies. The Request for Proposal will be issued in April 2005 and the Government intends to award the contracts on or before 1 October 2005. The Government may also elect not to award the Launch Capability contracts or any launch services as a result of this solicitation. The Government intends to allocate the potential Department of Defense (DoD) and National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) missions between Boeing Launch Services and Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, Inc. The Launch Services contracts shall provide, but are not limited to, the following: Core Vehicle/Upper Stage, Payload Fairing/Payload Adaptor, Mission Unique Hardware, Mission Assurance Instrumentation, and Booster Storage Costs (if required). The EELV program is an expendable space launch system that will satisfy the Government portion of the National Launch Forecast (excluding crew-rated or cargo return missions), reduce overall system recurring costs, and maintain or improve upon the reliability, operability, and capability of current medium through heavy lift systems (heritage launch systems). The EELV system includes, but is not limited to, launch vehicles, facilities, support equipment, and payload integration in support of the launch of satellites for the DoD and NRO. As a result of a competitive acquisition held in 1998, the EELV Initial Launch Service (ILS) contracts were awarded to Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, Inc. and Delta Launch Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of McDonnell Douglas Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, on 16 Oct 98. A J&A was approved which permits Government missions to be awarded with less than full and open competition to either Boeing or Lockheed Martin, subject to the Competition in Contracting Act. Any other interested parties must (1) be U.S. manufacturers as defined in the 1998 Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Request for Proposal, (2) have successfully demonstrated launch vehicle installed on the launch pad and vehicle power-on, (3) have the capability to meet the program schedule, and (4) meet the four Key Performance Parameters. Firms which did not perform under the Low Cost Concept Verification, EMD and Development contracts, and which believe they can compete as prime contractors in the EELV effort, are encouraged to submit a statement of capability and qualification (limited to four (4) pages) addressing the above criteria within seven (7) calendar days of this synopsis to: SMC/EVK, Attn: Capt. Patrick L. Greenawalt, Contracting Officer, 2420 Vela Way, Suite 1467/A-2, Los Angeles AFB, El Segundo, CA 90245-4659. This synopsis is not a formal solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this synopsis or to otherwise pay for the information solicited herein. See Note 22.