Northstar Executive Aircraft Communication Network
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 Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO), on behalf of the Department of Defense, has awarded a non-competitive, Firm Fixed-Price contract to AT&T Corp. for the Northstar Executive Aircraft Communication Network. This award, valued at $12,781,033.37 for the current action and a total cumulative value of $63,598,063.14, ensures critical Ultra-High Frequency/Line of Sight communications for executive aircraft.
Scope of Work
This contract provides for the Northstar Long-Haul Telecommunications Network and associated transmission circuits. Key services include:
- Maintaining an Ultra-High Frequency/Line of Sight communications system network.
- Providing air-to-ground/ground-to-air connectivity for executive aircraft.
- Supporting analog and digital voice, video, and data services.
- Ensuring a minimum of 95 percent coverage across the Continental United States (CONUS).
- Operating geographically dispersed ground entry points (GEP), two Special Government Operating Centers (SGOCs), and numerous T-1/T-3 telecommunication circuits.
- Supporting connectivity to various government networks including the Executive Airlift Communications Network, Secret IP Data Service, and Defense Switched Network.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm Fixed Price, non-competitive.
- Awardee: AT&T Corp.
- Current Action Value: $12,781,033.37 (funded by FY21 and FY22 O&M funds).
- Total Cumulative Value: $63,598,063.14.
- Period of Performance: The initial award covered July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2026 (one-year base and four one-year option periods). Modification 01 extended the contract by exercising a 6-month option period from May 1, 2026, to October 31, 2026, to ensure continuity of services while a follow-on requirement is solicited.
- Place of Performance: Various sites geographically dispersed across the continental United States.
- Product Service Code: DG11 - Telecom Access And Other Usage Billing Services.
Justification & Evaluation
This contract was awarded on a sole source basis to AT&T Corp. due to their unique ownership of all assets encompassing the Northstar network, including GEP equipment, network circuits, and proprietary software/hardware, as well as necessary safeguarding and facility clearances. A Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (OTFAOC) was posted, and no other responses were received.
Additional Notes
The Government intends to transition to a modernized IP solution in the future. This contract serves as an interim solution for 2-3 years until that transition is complete, preventing an impedance to DoD senior leadership's Command, Control, and Communications (C3) mission.