Autonomous Space-Based Situational Awareness Software - Starling Mission Follow-On

The contract is a sole-source, firm-fixed-price award to EraDrive, Inc. for the continuation of autonomous, space-based situational awareness software development and on-orbit testing services in support of NASA’s Starling formation-flying mission. The effort serves as a direct follow-on to the predecessor contract 80ARC025CA006, extending the existing StarFOX flight software baseline operating on four 6U CubeSats in low Earth orbit with two new autonomous capabilities: onboard conjunction assessment with collision avoidance maneuver planning and multi-satellite orbit determination via optical sensor data exchange. The work is strictly bounded by the Starling mission’s end-of-life date of January 20, 2027, resulting in a seven-month performance period beginning June 10, 2026. The acquisition is justified under 41 U.S.C. 3304(a)(1) and FAR 6.103-1 as only EraDrive, Inc. possesses the proprietary software, source code, build environment, and institutional knowledge required to meet the mission-critical schedule without duplication of effort. Market research conducted via a SAM.gov synopsis received no responsive offers, confirming the absence of other potential sources. The contract is classified as a commercial acquisition under FAR Part 12, eliminating the need for certified cost or pricing data, but relies on price reasonableness determined through comparison to the prior contract value of $1,000,000 and an Independent Government Cost Estimate. All deliverables—including modified flight software, ground and on-orbit test validation, and a final operational report—are subject to acceptance only after successful in-orbit demonstration. Data rights are restricted under DRD 005, preserving EraDrive’s exclusive ownership and preventing transfer without their consent. No options, extensions, or future follow-ons are contemplated; the contract is terminal in scope with no anticipated continuation beyond January 20, 2027. The place of performance is Palo Alto, California, with ground testing and software upload managed through NASA’s facilities at Moffett Field. No packaging, marking, or shipping requirements are applicable, consistent with the nature of software-only deliverables. The contracting activity is NASA Ames Research Center, with funding and payment administration details redacted but governed under standard commercial acquisition practices.