MDA J&A to Increase UARC IDIQ Value
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 Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has issued a Justification and Approval (J&A) for a contract modification to increase the value and extend the duration of an existing sole-source University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) contract with Utah State University Space Dynamics Laboratory (USU/SDL) in Logan, UT. This modification ensures continued technical and analytical support essential for the development and maintenance of the Missile Defense System (MDS).
Scope of Work
USU/SDL provides critical technical and analytical support leveraging its core competencies, which include:
- Electro-optical sensor systems research and development
- Ground, airborne, and space-rated instrument and payload development, test, evaluation, integration, validation, and operations
- Phenomenology measurements
- Sensor modeling and simulation
- Data compression, visualization, exploitation, and fusion
- Small/micro satellite sensor systems and components
This support is vital for MDA to defend the homeland, regional interests, allies, and deployed forces against ballistic missile threats.
Contract Details
The existing cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (HQ0854-22-D-0001) was initially awarded on November 23, 2021, for a seven-year period with a $300 million ceiling. This modification intends to extend the ordering period to ten years and increase the overall ceiling value. The current contract utilization is at 80%.
Eligibility & Justification
This is a sole-source award to USU/SDL, a UARC, under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(3)(B) and FAR 6.302-3(a)(2)(ii). This authority permits other than full and open competition for awards to educational or nonprofit institutions to maintain essential engineering, research, or development capabilities. This notice is a justification for the modification, not a solicitation for new proposals.
Additional Notes
MDA transferred sponsorship of USU/SDL to the U.S. Space Force (USSF) on April 30, 2025. This contract extension is crucial to ensure uninterrupted access to USU/SDL's specialized knowledge for MDA and other agencies (including USAF, US Army, DARPA, DHS, NASA, SDA, USN) while USSF develops its long-term acquisition strategy. Subcontractors selected by USU/SDL will be required to compete to the maximum extent practical. Contact: Jillian Downs, jillian.p.downs.civ@mail.mil, 938-283-2055. Published Date: April 14, 2026.