Spaceport and Launch Assessment Study Help (SPLASH)
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 Space Systems Command (SSC)/International Affairs (IA) and PAE Space Access are conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) for Spaceport and Launch Assessment Study Help (SPLASH). This effort seeks vendor capabilities to provide technical assistance to a Partner Nation (PN) in assessing requirements and interfaces for a launch system and a third-party spaceport. The goal is to enable the launch of PN National Security satellites from their sovereign spaceport, supporting a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case. This opportunity is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Responses are due by May 20, 2026.
Scope of Work
The objective is to provide the PN with necessary engineering, logistical, and technical assistance to establish a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) service from a sovereign spaceport utilizing a US commercial launch vehicle (CLV). This includes:
- Developing familiarization with CLV capabilities and support systems.
- Tailoring US Space Force (USSF) spaceport development and operations best practices to the PN context.
- Identifying potential mission risks and mitigation strategies for using the CLV for PN NSSL.
- Providing technical documentation and support for the PN to monitor and control the CLV launch pad.
- Assessing requirements and interfaces of the CLV launch system and the spaceport.
- Providing launch mission assurance assessment expertise.
Key deliverables (CDRLs) include a General Launch Vehicle assessment, Spaceport assessment and NSSL requirements document, National Security Launch Requirements, recommended education & training, a Comprehensive National Security Launch Assessment and Recommendations Report and Briefing, and meeting documentation.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought
- Duration: 12-month period of performance for the studies.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
- Product Service Code: R425 - Engineering And Technical Services
- NAICS: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology))
- Response Due: May 20, 2026, 15:00 local time.
- Published: April 29, 2026
- Place of Performance: Cape Canaveral, FL
Submission Requirements
Interested vendors must submit:
- An overview of their company’s capability to provide technical assessment of a launch vehicle and spaceport.
- For each study area (CDRLs A01-A05), address capability, expertise, additional information needed, and associated risks.
- A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) and preliminary project schedule for each deliverable (A01-A06), accounting for all fees.
- An initial plan for addressing ITAR.
- Company name, address, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), date, and RFI response POC with email and phone.
- Business size under NAICS 541715 and any existing federal contract vehicles.
- Responses should not exceed 10 pages, be single-spaced, 12-point font (Arial or Times New Roman), with 1-inch margins, and submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word-compatible format.
- The overall classification of an RFI response shall not exceed NATO SECRET.
Additional Notes
This RFI is for market research only and does not constitute a solicitation or guarantee a future contract. The Government will not reimburse contractors for response preparation costs. SSC Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors may review submitted data under Non-Disclosure Agreements. All contractor personnel must be U.S. citizens and authorized for access to Controlled Unclassified Information, proprietary information, and U.S. Export Controlled data.