Satellite Ground Station and Data Ingest Operations

The contract requires the operation of a global network of ground stations to support satellite telemetry, tracking, and command functions as well as secure data downlink operations, with all transferred data destined for NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information or National Computational Climate Facility systems. The service provider must ensure end-to-end data integrity and security in full compliance with NIST SP 800-53 High Baseline controls, including stringent encryption, access management, audit logging, and system monitoring protocols to safeguard sensitive environmental and satellite data. Operations must be continuous, resilient, and capable of supporting multiple satellite missions across diverse orbital regimes with minimal latency and high reliability. The contract is classified as a subcontract under NAICS code 517919 and is sponsored by the Department of Commerce through NOAA, with performance required to be centered in Silver Spring. Proposals must be submitted by May 22, 2026, and the work is expected to involve coordination with federal systems, adherence to federal data handling regulations, and potentially integration with existing NOAA infrastructure. While no set-aside provisions are specified, bidders are expected to demonstrate proven experience in global ground station operations, high-assurance data transfer environments, and prior compliance with NIST SP 800-53 High Baseline standards in federal or defense-related contexts.