- The Space Force’s push to expand and modernize in-orbit capabilities has led to new contract opportunities
- The service has five open opportunities ranging from missile warning to enterprise support
- Join space acquisition leaders at the 2026 Air and Space Summit this Thursday, July 30
The U.S. government’s increased prioritization of space has led to new opportunities for the government contracting sector to participate in advancing defense and national security missions and priorities. As the space domain becomes more contested amid growing threats from adversarial nations, the Space Force is quickly modernizing and expanding the nation’s space architectures.
At the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit this Thursday, top Space Force leaders will discuss initiatives to build capabilities in orbit and upcoming investments in advanced technologies for the space domain. Secure your seat today!
What Are Open Contract Opportunities at Space Force?
1. National Security Space Launch Enterprise Payload Processing Management RFI
The Space Systems Command has published a draft request for proposals and request for information for the National Security Space Launch Enterprise Payload Processing Management, or EPPM, initiative to establish a centralized and optimized model for the scheduling and acquisition of payload processing services for space vehicle programs.
EPPM is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/infinite-quantity contract with a five-year basic ordering period. Impulse Space, Relativity Federal, Blue Origin, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance previously won spots on the IDIQ.
The government will regularly open on-ramp opportunities to welcome new entrants to compete for IDIQ task orders, which will be awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis.
Under the draft performance work statement, contractors will supply the facilities and services needed to process space vehicles and launch vehicles before integration near the launch site. The selected facility must be located in the United States or its territories and within 30 miles of the launch complex, where the payload is scheduled to lift off.
Facilities at other launch site locations may also qualify if approved by the Space Force’s Program Executive Office for Assured Access to Space.
SSC is encouraging industry to review and comment on the draft RFP on or before Aug. 6. The government intends to issue a final RFP in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.
2. Medium Earth Orbit Missile Warning/Missile Tracking Epoch 3 and Epoch 4 RFI
The Space Systems Command’s System Delta 84 is seeking industry feedback on the production feasibility of Epochs 3 and 4 of its Medium Earth Orbit Missile Warning and Missile Tracking layer. In an RFI posted on SAM.gov in June, SYD 84 said it wants to hear comments on:
- Epochs 3 and 4 space vehicle delivery, integration and operations
- MEO ground segments, including the facilities and sites needed to operate the MWT
- Digital engineering strategy
- Contract strategy
The government intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract with other transaction agreements for the effort. Responses to the RFI, due Oct. 31, will inform the technical approach and future acquisition strategy for Epochs 3 and 4.
3. Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture Systems, Technologies and Emerging Capabilities BAA
The Space Development Agency has issued a Systems, Technologies and Emerging Capabilities broad agency announcement in support of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, also known as PWSA.
The BAA, issued in March, is seeking architecture studies, concepts of operations, key technologies, system designs, modeling and simulation, and risk reduction prototypes in four areas of interest:
- Beyond line-of-sight communications
- Target warning, tracking and engagement
- Alternate position, navigation and timing
- Global battle management
SDA encourages offerors to submit an executive summary ahead of a full proposal. The agency plans to update the BAA on an annual basis to keep its focus areas current.
Submissions under the current BAA are due March 3, 2027.
GP Sandhoo, SDA director and the Space Force’s portfolio acquisition executive for missile warning and tracking, will join other defense leaders on the Win or Lose — The Speed of Military Technology Advancement panel at the 2026 Air and Space Summit. He is expected to discuss the PWSA, the Space Force’s new acquisition structure and emerging technologies changing the way battles are fought across domains. Join the conversation by signing up today!
4. Space-to-Space Communications BAA
SSC Spectrum Warfare Division, in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office, has issued a new call under its Space-to-Space Communication BAA for a proposed Industry Consortium for Space-to-Space Communications, or ICSSC, to address the technological and integration challenges related to the Space Data Network.
Call 1.2, posted Nov. 19, 2025, intends to establish agreements with five to seven industry members to form the consortium. Members of the ICSSC, which will be a public-private partnership, are expected to participate in routine engagements, working groups and technical teams addressing specific challenges. SSC has already identified eight initial challenges for the consortium to address:
- Cooperative technical development and demonstrations
- Open standards and interface controls
- Interoperable network layer
- Cybersecurity framework
- Test and evaluation infrastructure
- Constellation management
- Spectrum and regulatory coordination
- Broadband interoperability
The BAA, launched in September 2025, aims to advance technologies in space-to-space communications and space networking. Call 1.1 focused on the development and demonstration of a Link-182 space-to-space communications system in support of the Golden Dome system.
The BAA will remain open and effective until Sept. 29, 2030.
Didi Kuo, principal deputy director for the Geospatial Intelligence Systems Acquisition Directorate at the National Reconnaissance Office, will discuss the challenges and opportunities related to building resilient and secure networks in contested environments as part of the Winning the Digital High Ground: Delivering the Department of the Air Force’s Network of the Future panel at the 2026 Air and Space Summit. Get your tickets here!
5. Strategic Services Vehicle Program Constellation Blanket Purchase Agreements
SSC’s Enterprise Sourcing Division is seeking financial management, security and engineering support services under its Strategic Services Vehicle Program Constellation blanket purchase agreements. In a notice published June 15, the division said it intends to release official requests for quotations for three of six BPAs in the coming months.
The financial management support BPA, valued at an estimated $47 million, is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business set aside. The RFQ is projected for release in the third quarter of 2026 and could result in up to five multiple-award, firm-fixed-price agreements.
The RFQ for the security support BPA, valued at an estimated $132 million, is also expected to be issued in the third quarter. SSC intends to award five multiple-award, firm-fixed-price agreements as woman-owned small business set-asides.
The engineering support BPA valued at $50 million is also a woman-owned small business set aside. Up to five firm-fixed-price agreements will be awarded under the effort. An RFQ may be published in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Where to Discover More Space Force Contract Opportunities
GovCons can find opportunities to support not just the Space Force, but also the Air Force and NASA, at the 2026 Air and Space Summit, happening at the Hilton McLean in Virginia this Thursday, July 30. The event will bring together the people who are in charge of building the nation’s space capabilities to discuss how industry can enable and accelerate various missions.
Attendees will hear directly from key acquisition leaders about current and future initiatives in the air and space domains. Tom Ainsworth, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, is joining the event’s lineup of keynote speakers. He is expected to discuss business opportunities and investment priorities in long-range kill chains and next-generation PNT, industry performance initiatives, and more!
Two Space Force portfolio acquisition executives will also participate in panel discussions with other defense leaders and industry innovators. GP Sandhoo, director of SDA and PAE missile warning and tracking, will be on the Win or Lose – The Speed of Military Technology Advancement panel. Meanwhile, Col. Ryan Frazier, acting PAE for space-based sensing and targeting, will be on the From Detection to Decision: Orchestration Across Air and Space Domains panel.
Additionally, networking sessions throughout the summit will enable attendees to connect with government leaders and defense contractors and forge new partnerships! Tickets are running out fast—get yours before they’re gone!
