Exception to Fair Opportunity - Standard Starshield Services & Hardware (SBS005510)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force, specifically the Space Systems Command (SSC) Commercial Space Office (CSO), has issued a Justification for Exception to Fair Opportunity for the procurement of Standard Starshield Services & Hardware (SBS005510). This justification supports a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) task order awarded to SpaceX for terminal equipment and service plans to fulfill Starshield-based mission requirements for military operations and other federal agencies under the PLEO IDIQ contract.
Scope of Work
The procurement includes:
- Starshield High Performance User Terminal
- Starshield Mini User Terminal
- Starlink (FMS/export) High Performance User Terminal Kit
- Operational Packaged PLEO Service Plan These items are essential for providing PLEO Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) capabilities.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) task order under a Multiple Award Contract (MAC) vehicle (PLEO IDIQ).
- Awardee: SpaceX
- Period of Performance: Base Period (FY26) from December 5, 2025, to December 4, 2026.
- Published: June 18, 2026.
- Set-Aside: Not applicable, as this is a justification for a sole-source award.
Evaluation & Justification
This document is a justification, not a solicitation. The sole-source award to SpaceX is based on FAR 16.505(b)(2)(i)(C), citing economy and efficiency as a logical follow-on to a previously competed order. The justification highlights that awarding to the incumbent (SpaceX) ensures continuity of service, avoids duplication of costs, and maintains program execution efficiency. Transitioning to a new contractor would incur substantial costs, introduce a learning curve, and potentially lead to technical issues and compatibility challenges. The Contracting Officer will determine the anticipated cost to be fair and reasonable by comparing it to the ID/IQ contract baseline, Independent Government Estimate (IGE), historical prices, and current market conditions.
Additional Notes
The Commercial Space Office (CSO) transitioned to SSC from DISA in early FY26. Administrative constraints, including a government shutdown and new SSC Public Affairs/OPSEC review processes, delayed the publication of this justification beyond the mandated 14-day post-award window. The agency plans to conduct comprehensive market research for future acquisitions to foster a competitive environment.