Notice of Intent to Compete EELV Phase 1A-5: AFSPC 52

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) was awarded a 130 million dollar Firm Fixed Price contract by the Department of the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center to provide launch services for the Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)-52 satellite. The scope of work encompasses launch vehicle production, mission integration, launch operations, and spaceflight worthiness activities. Performance is conducted across facilities in Hawthorne, California; Kennedy Space Center, Florida; and McGregor, Texas, with an expected completion date of September 2020. This award resulted from a competitive acquisition process involving two proposals, with fiscal year 2018 space procurement funds obligated at the time of award. The contract is governed by the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Phase 1A requirements, which emphasize a best-value source selection process where schedule was weighted more heavily than price. Key technical and operational mandates include strict adherence to flight critical items lists, security classification specifications requiring Top Secret facility clearance, and a milestone-based payment plan. The agreement also includes provisions for Quick Reaction and Anomaly support with up to 25,000 authorized hours and specific launch service acceptance criteria to determine payment based on successful orbit insertion and spacecraft utility.