The U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) is a U.S. Space Force direct-reporting unit focused on the rapid deployment of space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter. It aims to achieve this through the development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a threat-driven constellation of small satellites in low Earth orbit. SDA's key focus areas include military data and communications connectivity, missile tracking, and development of a resilient space architecture, working with partners like Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and York Space Systems. Their work supports terrestrial missions and enhances warfighter lethality, maneuverability, and survivability.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
On 2021-10-08, the Space Development Agency received a protest from industry alleging the original solicitation may have inadvertently limited competition.
The Space Development Agency will reissue the Tranche 1 Transport Layer solicitation under Other Transaction Authorities (OTA).
Optical links will connect the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer to weapons platforms via optical communications.
The Space Development Agency will rescind the Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) Request for Proposal that was issued on 2021-09-30.
The Space Development Agency canceled the solicitation for the Transport Layer Tranche 1 and took down the request for proposals on 2022-10-28.
The Space Development Agency intends to have full and open competitions and to create a stable market that incentivizes companies to invest by allowing bidding every two years, according to Director Derek Tournear.
The Space Development Agency intends to buy satellites at competitive prices under fixed-price contracts.
The Government Accountability Office dismissed Maxar’s protest on 2022-10-28 after the Space Development Agency reissued the RFP under Other Transaction Authority.
The Space Development Agency reissued the Transport Layer Tranche 1 request for proposals under Other Transaction Authority on 2022-10-28.
For the Transport Layer Tranche 1 procurement, the Space Development Agency will select multiple vendors to collectively supply 126 satellites in batches of 21 satellites.
The Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 1 solicitation requires at least one-third of the total cost of the prototype project to be paid by non-government funds.
Responses to the Space Development Agency’s reissued Transport Layer Tranche 1 solicitation are due 2022-11-24.
Maxar Technologies challenged the Defense Department procurement of 126 satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Transport Layer Tranche 1 due to the financial burden on contractors.
The Space Development Agency stated in 2019 that it intends to leverage private-sector investments such as hardware and software reuse and leasing of services and industry best practices like mass production techniques for spacecraft buses, sensors, and user terminals.
The Space Development Agency’s new Transport Layer Tranche 1 solicitation requires teams to include a nontraditional defense contractor or a nonprofit research institution.
The Space Development Agency asserted that the Transport Layer is a new constellation prototype and therefore can be procured using an Other Transaction Authority contract.
The Space Development Agency plans to award contracts for new satellites every two years to a diversity of suppliers instead of relying on long-term single-vendor awards.
The Space Development Agency issued a new solicitation for the Transport Layer Tranche 1 on 2021-10-28 under Other Transaction Authority.
The Space Development Agency considers the Transport Layer a prototype program even though the plan is to use commercially produced satellites, with the prototype being the constellation and its integrated system behavior.
The Defense Department’s Space Development Agency canceled a solicitation issued 2021-08-30 for 126 satellites and reopened a new procurement on 2021-10-28.