The Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) is an organization created in 2017 through the Air Force Space Systems Command (now Space Systems Command) to bridge the gap between military buyers and commercial space startups and small businesses. SpEC uses Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) to expedite the development of next-generation space technologies and prototypes by connecting the Department of Defense with a network of innovators. Its mission is to minimize barriers to entry for non-traditional vendors and promote integrated research and prototyping efficiencies. Key partners include the Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, and various commercial and academic members.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
When the original SpEC contract was awarded in 2017, the funding ceiling for projects was $100,000,000.
By 2018 the SpEC funding ceiling was increased from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000.
ATI received a five-year contract to manage SpEC in November 2017.
SpEC has additional projects soon to be awarded that are worth $197,000,000.
The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center aims to select a new contractor next year to manage SpEC.
SpEC has awarded 54 prototype contracts across 16 project areas worth about $312,000,000.
SpEC’s current funds available for projects total $500,000,000 and the Air Force is considering increasing that to $12,000,000,000 over the next decade.
Advanced Technology International was awarded a five-year agreement to oversee up to $100,000,000 worth of Space Enterprise Consortium projects.
The Air Force raised the ceiling for Space Enterprise Consortium Other Transaction Authority contracts to $500,000,000.
The Space Enterprise Consortium uses special contracting authorities to solicit bids from member companies and ensure projects are awarded to nontraditional military vendors.
The Space Enterprise Consortium has awarded more than 50 prototype projects to date.
The Air Force selected Advanced Technology International of Charleston, South Carolina in November 2017 to manage the Space Enterprise Consortium.
The three teams designed FORGE prototypes under cost-sharing Other Transaction Authority contracts managed by the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Enterprise Consortium.
Aerospace Corp. is working with SMC’s Space Enterprise Consortium to design a standard interface for vendors to ensure payloads are compatible with buses.
Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) was awarded a contract by the Administrator of the Space Enterprise Consortium under the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles XVI program to deliver and test a Link 16-capable Low Earth Orbit spacecraft.
Since early 2017, SpEC has awarded 37 prototype projects with a total value of $206,000,000.
Annual SpEC membership dues range from $7,500 for large companies to $500 for small businesses, academic institutions, and nonprofits.
The Air Force increased SpEC’s budget fivefold to $500,000,000 in 2019.
Blue Canyon Technologies was selected by the Air Force through SpEC three weeks after submitting a proposal to work on Tetra, a program exploring missions, tactics, techniques, and procedures for microsatellites in geosynchronous orbit.
One SpEC solicitation in early 2019 sought ways to give military units quick access to national space systems through a program called Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities.